Long distance riding advice wanted

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Ahrena

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Okaaay

Long distance/endurance forums don't seem to exist so I'm gonna have to ask on here and hope theres an expert on here
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In 2 years time I want to trek with my pony from John O'Groats down to Land's End...Which is obviously a long ride haha.

I havn't done that kind of riding (long hacks yeah but treks anything like that, never) so don't really know where to start.

I was thinking next summer I'd ride the Wayfarers (70 miles) over 3 days as that'd be a good little...test? I dunno, obviously the John O'Groats to Land's End will take a LOT longer but reckon it'd be a good idea to do something shorter to try first.

But I don't really know where to start - how to plan the route, accomodation, how many miles we could cover every day, how often to give her a day off, how fit to get her ect (other than very lol!)...


Obviously a long way off, but i'd like to collect a lot of money for charity too...and need to plan.

Has anyone got any ideas?
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Thanks ever so much
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I couldn't seem to find anything and it doesnt seem to be as common as the normal SJing, Eventers ect on here..

Thanks again
 
I've done a few trail rides as my godmother has Highland Horseback. I was involved a bit in planning a new route last year. They walked pretty much all of the route before they went on the ride to check the terrain would be ok for the horses. They also go and visit all of the fields they are going to use at nights too to make sure they're appropriate. The one at the pig farm didn't go down well with the horses at all, they didn't sleep a wink as they were too scared!! We had a couple of problems with the foot and mouth out break as a couple of farmers didn't want us going through their land or were unable to provide fields as previously agreed.

Are you planning to go alone, or do this with another person? My godmother always takes a spare horse incase one goes lame or loses a shoe. You'd need to try and arrange emergency farriers along the route as well. Carrying a boot is a good short term back up.

Milage wise they cover around 25 miles a day, spreading 200miles of riding over 8 days. This is split into 4 days to cover 100 miles, then a rest day before doing another 100 miles. The horses are then boxed back home again. The amount of rest between rides depends on which horses went on which rides and how many rides they did in a season really. At some points I expect a few were getting about 5-6 days off before setting off again.

You'll have to contact landowners to check for crossing their land. This is a bit easier in Scotland due to the Rights of Access Code, but it's courteous to ask first. I guess you'd have to ask permission from all landowners in England but I'm not sure. They also have to get the police to stop the A9 to let them cross safely.

Hope that's some help to you. If you've any other questions feel free to send me a private message as I'm more likely to get it.
 
Contact Jenni at Equine Ramblers
http://www.equineramblersuk.co.uk

Vyv Wood-Gee is a very experienced long distance rider and planning routes is part of her job, her daughter did amazingly well to ride the distance with her.
Some of the trip was very difficult. They did it with minimum back up. PM me if you would like her contact details
 
Contrary to what another poster states, you do NOT need to contact anyone about 'crossing their land' in England and Wales. as there is, and has been since time immemorial, a network of bridleways and other equine-acccessible tracks which give the public a legal right to pass and repass along the path or track.
In Scotland the new Access rights give you even greater freedoms. There, though, it is considered courteous to contact the factors of highland other and estates for advice on the best routes to take especially during the shooting and stalking seasons. It is probably also wise to do so for your own safety in remote areas, and to ensure that gates which may be locked to prevent 4WD access, or to restrict deer from young forestry plantations, are opened for you.

I travelled with my Sec C Bridie, a total of about 400 miles this last 'summer', from near Chepstow, up the Wye valley and around the Forest of Dean, then meandering backwards and forwards across and along the Welsh/English border, to near Corwen, North Wales. I camped and Bridie grazed, and we enjoyed each other's company enormously.

Despite getting exceedingly wet, I had the most wonderful time, met incredible people and will be travelling south from Scotland next year with Bridie.

Contact me by PM or email if you want any help or suggestions in planning your ride, ideas, problems I encountered, or if you have any questions.
 
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