Sponsored Ride - any tips?

T

tatty_v

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 March 2015
Messages
1,499
Visit site
Hi All

Next month I'll be taking my horse to the Canter for a Cure sponsored ride at MK. He's my first horse and this will be my first ever horsey 'outing', as well as our first ever trip out together! I'm lucky to be going with a lovely group of sensible riders from our yard, but I'm looking for any tips from the seasoned pros as to how to stay safe and enjoy it! The main thing I'm worried about is his 'enthusiasm' in canter when with a group... :eek:

x
 
I love sponsored rides. If you can tuck him in behind one of your sensible friends and bridge your reins you should be fine. Sit up, sit back and enjoy it! Wear a martingale so you have something to hang onto. If you feel he's going to be a fidget to tack up when you get there, put his saddle on at your yard and put a fleece over him and saddle to travel. If you're wearing boots, put them on and travel him in those rather than travel boots. I don't bridle a horse and travel them, but some do with a headcollar over the top and reins twisted up in throatlash. Take a stool for mounting, water container and a bucket for a drink after and a wash down.
 
Great advice from 9tails, only thing I'd add would be to arrive as early as possible so you don't get stuck behind people or have endless people overtaking. Also don't forget a snack & drink for yourself- it can be exhausting! Enjoy!
 
I have always been told to put a stronger bit on just for safety - you may as well hardly use it rather than tugging away on a snaffle and tiring yourself out.
 
All good advice above :)
To add:
Tack up on arrival
Neckstrap is invaluable (stirrup leather will do)
Pour out washing bucket & drop sponge in, pop it under the edge of the transport.
Leave headcollar in EASY place to get hold of when you get back.
Dont get on ages before your start time, if a long ride then you WILL be in the saddle for a long time, this has repercussions on parts of your anatomy....
When you do get on, quietly walk about or stand with friends till start time.

On the ride:
Try to get a good long steady trot, at least half a mile if not longer, almost from the 'off'. This helps steady most horses & ponies within a few minutes. Then walk around 400 yds & then another trot. This really takes out the 'gas' out of most (not all tho)
Dont canter as a group unless everyone was safe/happy at trot.
Let the faster ones go at the back to play catch-up.
Don't be pressurised into jumping if you dont want to - there is always another day.
If you feel you need to change pace, agree it with your friends - and ask them to do likewise. There is nothing worse than someone trilling ' okay, lets canter here' and setting straight off.
Likewise, agree no overtaking, nothing worse than someone who was a good friend bombing past & immediately becoming an ex-friend if yours takes off with them.

That said, hope you have a lovely time - just make a few 'riding rules' with your buddies so you all can enjoy :)
 
Thanks all, these are great tips, am feeling a bit more prepared now :-) I've been thinking about trying a stronger bit. He came in quite a bulky gag but I switched to a thinner snaffle and he's been going much better. Would something like a Pelham work? My logic was I could ride mainly on the snaffle but have the second set of reins for an emergency if he stops listening?
 
I did my very first fun ride last weekend (at the age of 41!) and it was great!! I was lucky that I had family and friends there to help out so no stress and it was a superbly organised ride.

My lovely welsh cob had been a bit exuberant recently so I changed to a kimblewick a couple of weeks before the ride. Worked an absolute treat and I had full control throughout. She was getting a bit wound up about being overtaken but I never felt unsafe. I was riding with my daughter which was fab, so we both agreed when it was safe to go up a gear.

We thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm sure you will too. :)
 
As the other tips, but would add arrive early, just to give your horse time to look around and adjust, my lad was calling and unsettled on his first outing, my young cob got over excited at all the other horses, he was only there for a look see, he took a good 30 mins to settle, after being constantly walked round, back upped, stand etc, he did settle to graze and tied to the trailer with a haynet, but kept looking for his trailer mate
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top