One of the enjoyable features of the relationship between man and horse is that both parties are very versatile creatures. There are so many equestrian sports to fit the interests and aptitudes of man and beast. With more ordinary trail riding you just amble along with no pressure and no real goal other than finding your way home at the end. However, competitive endurance riding requires a very fit person and a fit horse. In fact, veterinary stations exist along the route and horses are evaluated to see if they are holding up. Heart rate is initially taken and then repeated later to evaluate recovery time. Capillary refilling time and skin turgor are measured to evaluate adequacy of hydration. A more general exam is also undertaken. If the veterinarian finds the horse is distressed the animal is not allowed to continue the course. Even if you can continue, you are docked points for evidence of poorer conditioning.
The key here is that you cannot wake up one morning and say I am going on an endurance ride. Well, come to think of it that is exactly what we did. We got away with it because we had excised our Thoroughbreds vigorously at least every other day and they were basically very fit to start with. Other competitors recognized we were newbies and gave us a little coaching and a sponge on the way. We managed to finish the introductory distance without a problem.
Of course, that is not what a person should do. First, you should pick your horse carefully. Most competitors ride an Arabian or Arabian-cross. It is no surprise that some show up with Thoroughbreds since the Arabians were part of the foundation of the breed and a conditioned race horse has the desirable low resting pulse rate that is needed. The typical non-competitive horse’s rate is 40 beats-per-minute. However, a rate just over 30 is needed in a good equine competitor. Good conformation and good feet are always important. Lastly, there are those more difficult to evaluate aspects of a horse’s personality and temperament. The horse must have a work ethic and an eagerness to cover ground. With this sport a lazy horse just will not do. The animal must be near bomb proof and adaptable.
The typical course consists of trails over open land and small streams for water along the route. The footing is variable. Typical distances are set at 50 or 100 miles (80.47 to 160.94 km). Limited Distance rides at 25 and 35 miles (40.24 to 56.33 km) are designed for beginners and those who wish a shorter distance. Some commercial rides are set at other distances maybe 20 to 120 miles. Those conducting them in the U.S. are mostly opposed to the metric system, so I will not convert those distances to kilometers (just kidding).
Endurance riders mostly proceed at a trot and average 6 to 7 miles an hour. During a trot a horse’s left ventricle has optimal filling time relative to faster gaits and the animal maintains optimal performance. Of course, that is not what we did. A nice open stretch along a power line tempted us into a canter but we made certain to walk afterward and sponge our animals down with cool water. This was necessary because events are timed and there are penalties for finishing too soon or too late, similar to hunter paces if you have done those.
As a rider, you must also consider heat stress. Your horse is generating heat by using its muscles and this may combine with ambient temperatures to severely stress your animal. One trick I learned distance cycling is to slack off during the hottest part of the day and make up the distance during the cooler parts of the day. Yes, as a competitor you must think strategically and have a basic knowledge of the area you are riding. Along the route you sponge your mount down and you better be ready for that next vet stop.
As it happened our first endurance ride was our last. It is not that we did not enjoy it, but the constraints of our profession lives precluded our participation on the show circuit or in any other kind of series of activities that required arriving at a certain time and place somewhere. We were happy just to do a trial ride when we could manage it.
Truly Yours, The Accidental Horseman.