Bought as a foal to sell on 9 years ago(!) my grey mare Easter turned into a true all-rounder and a best pony pal. From gaining points at affiliated dressage to wild days hunting to sedately and carefully teaching others to ride she is my go anywhere, do anything girl.
The one thing I have little experience in is Endurance riding (the proper stuff...not the four hour pub rides or the six hour booze filled days hunting!). So when looking for our next challenge at the end of last year I thought it was about time we tried to get into the Man vs Horse Race, I entered with a bunch of others thinking it would be a great fun ride if we got in and ended up being the only one who got a place! Without the support or camaraderie of others I thought I'd better treat this a little more seriously and soon realised I had a lot to learn!
In endurance riding terms 24 miles (38km) is not a huge distance where horses and riders often cover 80km in a day, but the skill is to ride at a steady unrushed pace, usually trotting for 2 hours without a break. It is imperative that you get to know what the speed feels like and get to know your horses vital signs to check their progress and recovery rate.
I have experience in fittening horses for racing and hunting but I have alot to learn about conditioning for distance. The biggest learning curve will be on the day with adrenaline, an unknown route, other horses and runners to contend with!
Easter has hunted all winter and we have been progressing our hill work and road trotting for the past six weeks accumulating in an 18 mile ride in the pouring rain on Saturday taking 2.5 hours. I was really pleased with how Easter coped, she understood the "game" and settled into a great trot which she kept up without breaking stride for the first 5miles, the trick came on the soft tracks where we naturally wanted to canter but it then took a while to settle back into an economic trot, something that apparently takes years to develop.
Using a Sports Tracker App on my phone we averaged 6.8mph / 8:45 mile a bit faster than the 10min miles a five times Man vs Horse Vetran advised, it is very easy to go too fast, something I need to remember on the day.
It was great practice and important to see how our kit worked and how Easter recovered the next day. Her boots rubbed (even with tubigrip underneath) so her legs are a little sore but her back was good after carrying me all that way.
In endurance riding terms 24 miles (38km) is not a huge distance where horses and riders often cover 80km in a day, but the skill is to ride at a steady unrushed pace, usually trotting for 2 hours without a break. It is imperative that you get to know what the speed feels like and get to know your horses vital signs to check their progress and recovery rate.
- Average horse vital signs
- Pulse: 24 - 33 beats per min
- Breaths: 10 - 24 per min
I have experience in fittening horses for racing and hunting but I have alot to learn about conditioning for distance. The biggest learning curve will be on the day with adrenaline, an unknown route, other horses and runners to contend with!
Easter has hunted all winter and we have been progressing our hill work and road trotting for the past six weeks accumulating in an 18 mile ride in the pouring rain on Saturday taking 2.5 hours. I was really pleased with how Easter coped, she understood the "game" and settled into a great trot which she kept up without breaking stride for the first 5miles, the trick came on the soft tracks where we naturally wanted to canter but it then took a while to settle back into an economic trot, something that apparently takes years to develop.
Using a Sports Tracker App on my phone we averaged 6.8mph / 8:45 mile a bit faster than the 10min miles a five times Man vs Horse Vetran advised, it is very easy to go too fast, something I need to remember on the day.
It was great practice and important to see how our kit worked and how Easter recovered the next day. Her boots rubbed (even with tubigrip underneath) so her legs are a little sore but her back was good after carrying me all that way.
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| Soaked, tired but happy after our last big training ride 22nd May 2016 |
We have some hacking and a hunter trial this weekend (the true utility horse!) and I will wind down her training to short hill work sessions and hacks round the block.
The farrier is also due and I need to get some ice boots to ensure her legs are cooled at the end of the race. Woody has also "volunteered" to crew for us providing vital support halfway round at the vet check where we will need water and a friendly face. Quietly terrified, as I don't want to break my loyal pony, I am also confident that we can do this and add to our tally of adventures.
The Man v Horse race is on the 11th June 2016 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Brecon Beacons. Entries for the 2017 race open on the 1st January for a short period as both runner and rider spaces are limited.
Useful links:
Endurance GB
Feeding the endurance horse
Perseverance Endurance Horses
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