How to Condition a Horse for Endurance Riding

Until 100 years ago, the horse was the fastest way of getting from point A to B. Over the centuries, methods have evolved that enabled some people to get the most out of their horses and travel as many as 200 miles a day (such as the Mongols and Huns), while other people were not so lucky, as they had limited equine mobility. This article relates some pointers that can be used to train the modern horse (and rider's) mind and body in a way that is sustainable and enjoyable.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • Tack
  • Land to ride on
  • Access to water, shelter and good grain
  • Time to put into your horse
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find good land to ride on, rolling hills and flatland best. Be sure that there is adequate grass or sand/dirt, minimal rocky surfaces and no riding on concrete. Find a saddle and tack that is comfortable for you and your horse (that is, properly fits the horse- use a saddle fitter to insure good fit when purchasing new saddles) snow is ideal for conditioning, as long as (a) you are sure of the footing under you, (b) ice isn't a problem, (c) the horse is given access to good water immediately before and immediately after the ride (d) you go slow- snow makes walking/trotting/Canter much more taxing on the horse do not work for the same length you would outside of snow

    • 2

      Set up a regime. To train a horse's mind (a green horse for general riding or an older one for a new environment) it is best to ride the same time each day, for consecutive days (4 to 5 is best). To condition a horse's bones, muscles and tendons, it is best to work "hard" every other day, not every day, and to give the horse at least 1 day a week off.

    • 3

      Keep in mind that you shouldn't overwork your horse, but that horse needs to and wants to work. The trot is the most effective gait at getting from one point to another, though some horses are more effecient at the lope. Spend time loping/cantering but do not gallop...very inefficient gait and can cause concussive injury on hoofs and tendons. Horses can sweat and should sweat when worked out to their maximal ability. It is when they stop sweating that you worry (this reflects dehydration). If it takes more than a minute for a horse to catch its breath after a good run, time to ease up. Let your horse munch on the grass or apple tree, or someplace on the "trail" (even if it is with treats from your own pocket) so that it is something enjoyable to him/her. The right distance to ride each day depends on the horse and the terrain. If you cool down the horse on a hot day, put water first on the hoofs, then on the lower legs, then on the belly, then on the top of the back. Otherwise, one can get muscle spasms and "tying up" (breakdown of muscle stimulated by inflammation).

    • 4

      Check your horse before and after the ride and on non-trail days. Be sure that hoofs are trimmed or shoes right, without chips, absecesses or stone bruises. Keep an eye on resting heart rate. A low resting heart rate is what happens in a horse that is well conditioned. Keep an eye on muscle tone as well. You can give grain before the ride to give you extra octane, and afterwards as reward, but not too much, particularly afterwards. Of course, bring the horse back home cooled down as much as possible, more cooling down required if "home" is a stall rather than an open paddock or pasture.