[CONTA]

Sabre & I will be going to our first endurance ride this weekend. We'll only be doing the 25 miler. There is one on Sat. and one on Sun. The lady that I go with will be doing the 50 milers both days....we aren't quite ready for those. I dont' expect to win....not at all. I just want us both to have the experience and the fun. If I get to the checkpoint(1/2 way) and Sabre doesn't have any spunk left or his heartrate is up or whatever, we'll just pull out. I'm just there to have fun, not really win anything. Does anyone do endurance here?

I have been working with Sabre, training him on the picket line, he's doing pretty good. I'm going to bring my own hay, extras of EVERYTHING(lol) and just plan on having a good time with horsey people. Hopefully Sabre has fun too.

So...any advice? Suggestions? ANYTHING?!

[Rising Star]

I do competitive trail but its kinda the same. Have you ever been to the area that your going to? If not its sometimes good to go the day before just so you have time to set everything up and go out for a ride too see some of the trails. Most the time me and the people I go with mark and demark trails so were the lucky ones who know all the tricks that will happen. It takes a lot of time but its fun to do.

If there is sand and its deep dont go too fast in it. My mare got marks docked for having a bit of swollen legs from that. Also if there is water make sure you test it out first. There was a rider in our club a couple years ago where she went to let her horse drink and let him in too far and it ended up being quicksand. They almost didnt live.

If you have any questions just ask and Im sure me or other riders on here can help you.

[Jess!]

I usually start feeding electrolytes about two or three days before the ride.

I get up and feed around 4:00AM, so that they will have digested most of the food by the time the ride starts around 7:30AM.

I will give an electrolyte paste at the first vet check, and sponge them down.

The start can be pretty hectic, especially if you're up front. Imagine 50 horses starting at once [most of the time they have controlled starts, where numbers 12-20 go, then 21-30, etc] and it can get crazy. If you're not into the horses prancing, twirling circles, etc, then stay in the back and wait a few minutes for the main pack to get going.

For the first couple miles, you're going to have people coming up on you and cantering past, it evens out within the first five miles, when people get into their groove and start trotting.

Since you're doing Endurance and NOT competitve trail, you ARE allowed to get off your horse and move forward on the ground. When the mile signs come up for the first vet check, start walking. At 1/4 mile, I get off, loosen my cinch, pour a bottle of water of Anna's neck, and walk in.

[CONTA]

Thanks for the great advice!
I've got the electrolytes, and I was going to start him on them on Wednesday(tomorrow). So do I get some electrolyte paste too? Or just the feed-thru?
I know that they have a controlled start. People leaving in 10 or 15 minutes increments, I think. I'm sure Sabre will be one of the ones spinning in circles!
We are getting there the day before(early afternoon on Friday) and there is a ride Sat morning and Sun. On my sheet it says that the 50 milers leave at 7:30am..and then after they are done, the 25 milers leave. It'll probably be closer to 9 or 10 before we leave. I was planning on giving him pretty much enough hay to last him all night. And I belive there is some grazing that he can reach on his picket.

Like I said. I really don't even care if we finish, I'm just there for fun & experience. If we do finish and do good......I'll be surprised actually! We've only been doing rides of 10-17 miles, so..who knows?

I will let you know though!

[Jess!]

I feed powdered electroylites, only give the tube of paste the day of, at the first vet check.

[Jess!]

Oh, and good luck and have fun! I love endurance riding, it's my favorite thing EVER.

[CONTA]

Thanks Jess. I am not too scared, I imagine I will be pretty nervous when it actually gets down to it though! Hopefully, Sabre doesn't act like too much of a nut at the starting line, I know he'll be ok once we get on the trail. I did go on a big trail ride about three weeks ago and he did pretty good. There were 55-60 other horses there and I don't think most people even knew he was a stud! He just got a little talkative when around certain mares. One lady I rode next to for about 7 miles and she was asking me about Sabre and her jaw dropped when I said he was a stud! lol

But I hear that there are more studs that do the endurance races than most other showing-type things.

I think it will be a lot of fun. I could be wrong, but its basically just a long trailride where you compete against others correct?

[Jess!]

Originally Posted by CONTA

Thanks Jess. I am not too scared, I imagine I will be pretty nervous when it actually gets down to it though! Hopefully, Sabre doesn't act like too much of a nut at the starting line, I know he'll be ok once we get on the trail. I did go on a big trail ride about three weeks ago and he did pretty good. There were 55-60 other horses there and I don't think most people even knew he was a stud! He just got a little talkative when around certain mares. One lady I rode next to for about 7 miles and she was asking me about Sabre and her jaw dropped when I said he was a stud! lol

But I hear that there are more studs that do the endurance races than most other showing-type things.

I think it will be a lot of fun. I could be wrong, but its basically just a long trailride where you compete against others correct?

I guess it can be thought of like that. You're competiting against time, as well. You get ample time, but you'd be amazed how many people don't finish within the time limit.

You have top ten, but they usually don't get prizes. It's the top condition that get the good prizes, like trophies, etc. Top 5 best condition ALWAYS get the goodies

Also, top ten in the 25 milers are determined not by the order in which you come in, but by the order in which your horse's heart rate dropes to the acceptable range, which is below I think 53 [or is it 56?] BPM.

In the 50 milers, it's first in, that's your order.

[CONTA]

Wow....I guess I still have a lot to learn. The lady that I ride with has a heart monitor rate thingy.....I don't have one, I don't even check Sabre's heartrate, so I guess I'll find out this weekend if he'll be any good at it! I think he will, he just needs to be conditioned a little bit more. Thats why I'm just going to take it easy this weekend.
I've heard that everyone is REALLY friendly and helpful there, and that is what I am looking forward to also...meeting new people!

[Rising Star]

Originally Posted by CONTA

Wow....I guess I still have a lot to learn. The lady that I ride with has a heart monitor rate thingy.....I don't have one, I don't even check Sabre's heartrate, so I guess I'll find out this weekend if he'll be any good at it! I think he will, he just needs to be conditioned a little bit more. Thats why I'm just going to take it easy this weekend.
I've heard that everyone is REALLY friendly and helpful there, and that is what I am looking forward to also...meeting new people!

The events sure are great for meeting new people and even more if its one where your camping over night since you will be with these people almost 24/7. I dont use a heart rate monitor and same with my trainer or the people I stick with. We usually know our horses range and go from there and then just see how they are at the checks. If there is a hose and your horse gets worked up about them wait till after the check to hose them down. Also try to keep him as calm as possible before the check so his heart rate doesnt go up. let him have a good drink and walk him around a bit.
These events are great experiences and you learn a lot from them and bond with your horse more, as I find anyways.
Just have a ton of fun while your there and take in the experience.

Oh remember to get us lots of pictures!!

Goodluck!