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What is Endurance Riding?

Endurance riding is a unique competitive challenge for horse and rider and a supreme sport for learning about equine fitness. It is not a long pony trek ambling through the lanes. Endurance requires dedication, good horsemanship and involves long hours in the saddle, but can be enjoyed by riders and horses of all types and abilities. Horses with a high proportion of Arab blood are generally more suitable for longer distances.

In England and Wales the sport is governed by Endurance GB , which is affiliated to the FEI for international competitions. Rides of varying distances are held over all kinds of terrain and in all weathers between February and October. International competitions take part in many countries, and European and World Championships are held biennially.

Types of Competition

Rides run under EGB are of three types: Non Competitive Rides (NCR, including Social, Training and Pleasure Rides), Competitive Rides (CR) and Endurance Rides (ER). NCRs are normally up to 30km (20 miles) and generally do not have veterinary inspections, CRs can extend to 80km (50 miles) whilst ERs run between 80 and 160km (50-100 miles) normally in one day. Horses may participate in NCRs at the age of 4 but may not compete in CRs until 5 years of age. Some competitions can extend over several days. Horses and riders compete at Novice, Open or Advanced level depending on qualification, and non-members can take part in shorter rides as Temporary Day Members. Riders should have one or more helpers (crew) particularly at longer rides to assist with the care of the horse and its presentation to the vet, as well as recovering it from the course if needed.

NCRs and CRs have to be ridden at or above certain speeds depending on the class and the experience of horse and rider in order to complete successfully. Competitors normally start in small groups at intervals. The minimum speed for Novices is above 8 kph, whilst Advanced horses can travel at up to 18 kph. Strict veterinary inspections are undertaken before, during and after the ride. Horses must have a heart rate (pulse) below 65 bpm, be sound metabolically and in a trot up, and be judged fit to continue in order to avoid elimination (spun). Heart rates after the finish determine the Grade of completion.

Endurance Rides

Competitors in ERs all start at the same time and the first combination over the finishing line is the winner subject to passing the final veterinary inspection. Horses are met periodically en route by their crews and cooled with water (sloshed) and given feed and drink. There are compulsory veterinary checks and short rest periods (holds) called Vet Gates approximately every 30 - 40 km. There is no minimum speed between Vet Gates. Riders must assess their speed and the condition of their horses carefully as they approach the Vet Gate in order to avoid wasted time in presenting to the vet. Extensive cooling of the horse may be required in hot weather although care must be taken not to allow the horse to get cold or stiffen up. The clock continues to run until the horse is presented successfully to the vet and horses are spun if the horse is unsound for any reason. During holds horses and riders need to be fed and watered to ensure they have sufficient energy to complete the ride and do not become dehydrated.

Fittening

Basic work for the first weeks after a rest is as for any discipline, with long periods of walking followed by slow trotting on good going. Later, faster trotting and canter work, particularly up hills, helps to develop the muscles, especially those of the heart and lungs. The horse must learn to trot down hills, but once he has learned to do so, downhill trotting is not recommended for fittening purposes as it puts a strain on the tendons.

After the first month, training can be varied by work on the lunge, in the school, over jumps, etc. The type of competition will determine how fit the horse should be. For a 30 km ride, an hour daily is sufficient with a three-hour ride once a week. For 80 km or further in faster competitions, more hours of work are needed. These may include interval-training-type fittening work.

Whenever the horse is being exercised, it is important to make sure he is "working". If he is just slopping along on a loose rein, he does not use his muscles, heart or lungs and cannot get fitter. A heart-rate monitor is often used to indicate the recovery rate and level of fitness in training.

If the ground is very hard or deep and unsuitable for interval training at the canter, work up long hills at a strong trot. This will raise the heart and breathing rates as in cantering, and will cause less strain on the legs.

Interval Training

This is a method of increasing a horse's fitness by using varying intervals of cantering and walking. For a horse competing in 30 - 50 km rides, the interval training system would be very similar to that outlined for novice event horses. For the more demanding longer rides, more specialist stamina work will need to be undertaken to extend the endurance horse's fitness level.

The horse should be basic "walk, trot and canter fit" (4 - 6 weeks) before commencing.

Before the interval training it is important to warm up the horse at the trot and afterwards to walk him until he is cool. If the heart rate is checked immediately after cantering, and again after the 3 minutes' walking, a fair idea of the horse's fitness can be gained from noting the speed with which the heart rate drops back to normal. When the heart rate fails to return to normal in less time than on the previous occasion after doing the same work in the same weather conditions, the horse is as fit as possible. The trainer should aim to achieve this condition shortly before the day of the competition.

A stethoscope can be used to check the heart rate at rest in the stable before starting, and also during and after interval training. The resting pulse rate for a fit horse, standing in the stable, can be as low as 25 up to 40. The warm-up pulse rate would be in the range 40 - 50 bpm. During trot work the pulse would rise to 80 - 100, and in canter would be between 100 - 150. The maximum rate should be limited to approximately 200 - 220. Recovery to below 65 is required before presentation to the vet in competition.

Feeding and General Management

This is the same for any horse in hard work. All feedstuffs should be of the best quality obtainable. As training progresses, bulk feeds should be cut down and replaced by a series of short feeds - oats, barley, proprietary nuts, etc supplemented by anything that the horse likes - eg soaked sugar beet pulp, carrots, boiled linseed - to encourage his appetite. When the horse is in hard work, salt should be added to the feeds, as this is lost in sweat and lack of it may cause muscle cramp (tying up). Most trainers also like to to add a mineral supplement to supply any trace elements, which may be lacking in the diet.

There are no hard-and-fast rules as to the quantity of feed required; it varies according to the horse's build and temperament. If, however, a large quantity of short feed is given, this should be divided into four feeds during the 24 hours to avoid putting the horse off his feed altogether.

Fibre is very important to the endurance horse. Good quality hay or haylage is fed and alph-alpha is often fed with the hard feed. This fibre is important when the horse is competing to help retain fluid in the gut and to provide a slow release energy source.

The horse can be kept in a paddock for part of the time, as long as there is shelter from cold winds and flies. This helps to keep him relaxed and to give him exercise.

Water should always be available for him to drink. On rides, he should be encouraged to drink freely from any source, whether a bucket, stream, cattle trough or even a clean puddle. This is particularly important in hot weather as, because of sweating, horses in work soon become dehydrated. No harm will come to the horse if he drinks when he is hot as long as he moves off immediately. When competing it is advantageous to add electrolytes to water given from buckets, as these replace the salts lost in sweat. If the horse will not drink water with electrolytes, plain or sugar beet water should be offered. At no time should the horse be put off drinking.

Grooming

The horse should be thoroughly groomed each day. Any sweat should be removed and particular attention should be paid to the saddle area. An endurance horse should become accustomed to being sponged down and having "slosh bottles" of water poured on him - a vital process for cooling during competition. Fabric conditioner bottles are ideal because they have wide necks and strong handles. Take special care of his feet, and have him shod regularly by a skilled farrier. He should ideally be shod a few days before competition. Under some conditions hoof pads can be beneficial.

Worming and Vaccination

As well as regular worming all endurance horses should be immunised against influenza and tetanus, as required by Jockey Club regulations. Many rides are based at racecourses and any horse not immunised will not be allowed on racecourse premises.

Saddlery

SADDLE English, general purpose, Western or special endurance type, worn with or without numnah or saddle blanket as required. "Flex"-type stirrups help to reduce concussion on the rider's knees and ankles.

BRIDLE All recognised forms of bit are acceptable including bit less bridles. Synthetic tack is popular as it can be easily cleaned and leather can be damaged by slosh water and sweat. Coloured tack is also popular as it can be easily spotted from a distance.

Preparation for the Competition

Each horse and rider should have a back-up crew, consisting of one or more people in a vehicle, one of who should be a good navigator. This crew follows the horse, meeting up with him at points on the course and at the veterinary checks.

Before the day of the competition, the rider and crew should discuss the plan of campaign. The rider will have been sent a map of the route and possibly written instructions too. Notice should be taken of any instructions from the Ride Organiser - particularly any areas not suitable for crewing. They should outline the route on a local Ordinance Survey map, study it, and decide upon suitable meeting places. They must calculate the times the rider expects to pass each point, and check whether it is possible for the crew to get there by car in time to meet him. The crew often has to take a longer route, for example driving around a mountain and up the next valley, while the competitor travels straight over the top, so timing is vital. Having settled the route to be taken, with meeting places and arrival times, the crew's next duty is to load the vehicle with all the equipment needed during the ride.

Equipment

Minimum equipment would include:

At least one 25 litre (5 gallon) water container (full) (or more depending on length of ride and weather conditions
Two buckets - one for drinking and one for washing down
Electrolytes, and measure, to add to drinking water if required
Funnel to pour unused clean water back into container
Sponges and "slosh bottles" for washing down. Sweat scraper
Towels
Head collar and rope (bridle may convert to a head collar)
Rugs, including sweat rugs and waterproof sheet
Surcingle
Spare set of shoes (ready shaped to fit the horse) plus protective hoof boot
Spare reins, leathers, girth and numnah (if worn), plus a leather bootlace or string for emergency tack repair
Crepe bandages and basic first aid kit for both horse and rider. Veterinary surgeons are always present at competitive rides and can deal with more serious problems
Isotonic drinks for riders in suitable container
Jacket and seat for rider at compulsory halts (with food for longer rides)
Soaked sugar beet and water for horse
Feed and hay or haylage
Pocket knife
Grooming kit

The above should be carefully packed in the vehicle, making sure that the essential items, such as water, are readily available and that the rider and crew know where everything is.

When competing the rider should carry:

Folding hoof pick
Map of route, together with "talk round" if supplied. Both should be in a plastic case to keep them dry
Compass and whistle in case of fog or getting lost
Mark on map the times of meeting up with crew - this acts as a guide as to whether the rider is keeping up the correct speed
Safety pin and piece of string or leather bootlace (for emergency repairs)
Small crepe bandage and wound powder for first aid en route
Mobile phone (charged!) with Ride Organiser's emergency number stored
Coins for telephone box
Energy-giving snack bar

Veterinary Inspection

On the day of the ride the crew takes the horse to have his shoes inspected by the farrier and then to the preliminary vetting. The crew holds him while the vet checks his pulse and respiratory rates and examines him for "lumps and bumps". The crew will then be expected to trot the horse up for soundness. This should have been practised beforehand so that he trots up freely and obeys the crew's spoken commands to stand, trot, walk, etc. The rider should attend the vetting in order to hold rugs, etc and to answer any queries about the horse that the veterinary surgeon may ask. When the vetting has been completed, the rider then saddles up.

The Start

The crew assists the rider to mount, checks the girth, etc and ensures that the rider has everything he needs. As soon as the timekeeper allows the horse to start the crew makes sure that all the necessary equipment is in the car. He can then set off for the first meeting place.

Meeting Places

As the horse approaches, the crew should have ready a bucket of water for the horse and a drink for the rider. At later points on the ride, slosh bottles should be handed to the rider to pour on the horse's neck to cool him and a bucket of water for sponging down the horse should also be available.

First the horse should be offered a drink, then a quick check should be made to see if all shoes are in order and that there are no cuts or scratches in need of attention
If the horse is very hot, slosh bottles should be poured on the neck, or sponging of the face and neck will freshen him.

Compulsory Halt

When the horse arrives at the compulsory halt ("Vet Gate") the horse must quickly be prepared for presentation to the vet (within 20 minutes or half and hour depending on the type of Ride). The saddle must be removed and the pulse brought down by applying water (by pouring or sponges) particularly to the neck and inner thighs. The feet should be checked for stones and when the pulse is satisfactory the horse should be taken by the crew for presentation to the vet. The rider should be in attendance.

After a successful presentation to the vet the crew should take the horse while the rider has something to eat and drink and takes a rest:

The bridle should be changed for a head collar (an endurance bridle may have a removable bit), and water should be offered
A rug may be needed to prevent the horse from stiffening up
The legs may be sponged down and any cuts dressed. The head and neck may also be sponged
The reins should be washed free of sweat, the girth and numnah changed and the girth area cleaned
While this is being done the horse should be allowed to graze and given a short feed in preparation for the next leg of the route
The crew then repacks the vehicle

The Finish

At the end of the Ride the horse must prepared for the final vetting, with particular attention being paid to lowering the pulse and checking the feet for stones. The crew should present the horse to the vet within half an hour of finishing the ride. The rider should be in attendance.

After the final vetting surplus mud and sweat should be removed, any cuts should be dressed and his legs should be well bandaged for travelling
The horse may then be offered more water, a small feed and some hay or allowed to graze and possibly have a roll
If rugs are worn, frequent checks should be made to see that he has not broken out in a sweat
He should not be loaded for the journey home until perfectly dry and cool