BOOTED ENDURANCE

THE HARD ONE...... WHAT WILL SUIT YOU AND YOUR HORSE ....

HERE IS WHAT IS WORKING FOR ME 

What you need or use for endurance will grow and change from each ride you do as you learn what you need to have a smooth weekend away and system for strapping.

So initially some of the basics are of course, your saddle, bridle or halter, reins (I like detachable reins for leading or if your horse gets caught on something you can quickly unclip them, clean saddle blankets, a woollen rug or similar for strapping (wool allows the horse to cool and release heat without making them hot.  LOTS of buckets, sponges, towels, your scraper, metal bucket for hot water in winter or cool weather.  Feed bins to allow your horse different options of feeds each leg and buckets you know they will drink out of.

With your yard dont forget you need picket caps for safety as well.

In terms of gear, that is personal to you and your horse but I will let you know what I am currently using.  I have used a few different saddles now (5 - from treed to treeless and plenty in between!!) and it can take a few rides to sort out what suits you and your horse - this is why 40km trainers are GREAT they give you a chance to iron out any issues before hitting the 80's!  With my saddles all of them have technically fitted him well, but over a 6 month period things started to show up that I just wasnt 100% happy with - it can take that long to see if something works for you or not and sometimes your horse will let you know straight away!

The wonderful thing about endurance is that when it comes to clothing and gear nearly anything goes - you can be as individual as you like - as long as it fits you both and is comfy all that is left is to have fun.  The main gear rules are no whips or spurs and you must wear the regulation helmet.  Apart from that you can be as subtle or as out there as you wish!

HEADGEAR

I ride Jacky in a rope halter and the Light Rider Bridle pictured.  This bridle is available in several materials and styles including rope, stock and english! 

The Light Rider Bridle is a bitless bridle designed by Cynthia Cooper of Natural Horseworld and by simply unclipping the reins from the chin strap you can easily convert it to a leading halter in seconds, which is great for endurance.  Jacky is alot more responsive at my endurance rides in this bridle when the adrenalin of the day starts to excite him!  I have been extremely happy with this piece of equipment in my tackroom!

For more Information on the Light Rider Bridle go to: www.naturalhorseworld.com/bitlessbridles.htm

Some riders ride in a bitted bridle their first leg and swapping to a halter once the horse has settled into the ride - all comes down to you an your horse. 

This season I have a Mackinder Flex Ride sadddle adjusted to fit Jackys long high wither and wide shoulders.  This saddle isnt treeless but also isnt a 'traditional' tree - see the link following for information on these saddles explained by the maker Alan Mackinder who is an endurance rider himself.

So far with training and my first 80km of the year Jacky has not experienced any of his usual loin tightness issues he has in the past.  I am very happy with the saddle :)

I also use sheepskin girth sleeves and saddle pads from Mackinder as well and they have been of excellent quality. 

http://www.mackinderendurance.com/products.htm 

Under my saddle I use a shaped Easy Clean Go Between, which I cut to match my saddle pad.  This keeps my sheepskin saddle pad clean and dry and helps the sweat run away and off the horses back. 

Stirrups I use E Z Ride endurance stirrups.  I find the wide base and foam keep my ankles and knees from getting sore.  These stirrups and  the Easy Clean can be purchased from Dixon Smith Endurance. 

http://www.dixonsmith.com.au/

HEART RATE MONITORS

These are obviously by no means a necessity BUT A STETHOSCOPE IS! .....

I found a HRM a wonderful training tool as a new person to endurance being able to know exactly what heart rate range my horse was working in gave me confidence in my training schedule.  It lets me know if I am on the right track or not, and being instantly able to track his recoveries anytime we stopped.  In saying that though, Jackys HR does not drop fully till his saddle is removed but I now know what he does drop to and how quickly etc during exercise.

Dont forget even though these are great training tools always check your horses heart with a stethescope now and again so you can listen for any abnormalities AND heart rate monitors are not allowed in the vet ring so remember to remove them before vetting in!

When riding with a HR monitor this does not replace listening to your horse.  I find at a ride I rarely look at it till I am nearing base and then watch randomly to observe his HR is dropping.  You still have to listen to your horse and feel how he is going.  They don't replace good horsemanship.

While riding I use a Polar HR monitor and have a hand held to check rates when I return but always use my stethescope to check him as well for abnormalities. 

See the link below for more info on HR Monitors.

http://www.pursuit-performance.com.au/equine/index.html

HINT: Your HR monitor will not work until your horse is sweating so remember to add some ultrasound gel to it so it works straight away.

GPS

I have had two GPS' and have settled on the Garmin Forerunner 101.  This GPS is designed for joggers but I find it suits endurance just as well!

My first GPS I purchased off EBAY and though great while it worked - when it had issues so did I.  So my next GPS I order from a boating store CH Smith Marine on the wharf in Hobart instead - it cost a little more but worth it if you have warranty issues.  Any local marine store that carries Garmin will be able to order one in for you, mine arrived the next day. 

This is fantastic if you train somewhere and you cannot measure your track - this will take the guess work out of your training ditances.  You can see your current pace, your average pace and ride time etc.  It is good if you know your horses pace without a GPS so you can judge and learn how his paces feel and how he is travelling, this you can try while you have a GPS on...... just decide what pace you think you are going and check and see if you are right.  Having a GPS does not mean you cannot learn to feel the different speeds at which your horse travels. 

Also do not follow me at a ride - GPS or not I can still get us lost!

Below is some information on the Forerunner.