Conditioning
The number one thing you'll hear when asking about conditioning is: It depends. It's true - there are so many factors (such as breed, age, previous experience and/or injuries, etc.) that determine how you should condition your horse for endurance. Luckily, though, there are some basic guidelines that apply to most horses and riders.
The important topics covered here are:
Mentors Matter
Mentors provide help, knowledge, support, and advice that is impossible to get on your own. So much of what you do in this sport depends on you and your horse's unique situation. Oftentimes, these are things that simply cannot be addressed over a computer or through a book. In addition, seeing in-person what an experienced rider does and learning from their examples is a valuable experience - even priceless if you consider that mentors can save you from causing permanent injury to you or your horse. The information provided here is a general description of how you can get ready for and participate in endurance, but you should actively seek information from experienced riders themselves. For more information about mentors and how to find one, visit the "Mentor" page.
Conditioning your Horse's Body AND Mind
In addition to being "in shape", it is important that your horse learns to use its body properly to travel the extended distances we ask of our horses in endurance. Among other things, this includes engaging the hind end, lifting and rounding the back, and relaxing at the poll all while keeping a steady and appropriate pace. Though the lack of proper movement and carriage will likely not prevent your horse from completing, improving these will better equip your horse to complete. A horse moving out with a high head, hollow back, and heavy on the forehand has a higher risk of a sore back amongst other issues. Dressage lessons are highly recommended.
Not only is it important to condition a horse's body for endurance, but conditioning their mind is critical to success. Endurance requires horses to give so much of themselves in order to complete rides, especially the ones that are longer distance. Horses that are moved into endurance too quickly can often become sour when it comes to conditioning and work, so they should be eased into longer distances as they are ready for them mentally. They also need to learn to take care of themselves, including eating, drinking, peeing, and pooping regularly. For example, it's not uncommon for a Green Bean horse to "hold it" until the ride is over, which is imaginably very uncomfortable. Moreover, attending a ride presents its own set of challenges and you are not only responsible for your own comfort and safety but also the comfort and safety of the riders around you. Does your horse camp well? Does he get "race brain"? Can you ask him to walk out on a loose rein or is he always pulling? How well does he do in groups? Can he be in front, behind, and in the middle? Does he stay calm when being passed or left behind, both while on the trail and stuck in camp? Does he "give out" on you after a certain number of miles? Does he know how to follow at an appropriate distance? Will he eat and drink strange food in strange places? Will he stand for the vet? Can he calm down or does he get excited, skyrocketing his pulse? If he's left behind, will he be ok on his own? What will he do if you fall off or get separated at ride camp? These are all questions that you should consider and address before attending your first ride. A wise idea is to take your horse to a ride for practice, even without competing, to see how it (and you) will do camping out and going for a trail ride around the craziness of an actual ride. And while you're at it, go volunteer!
What is LSD?
In endurance, LSD does not refer to a drug (unless you consider the fact that most of us are addicted to it!). LSD stands for Long, Slow Distance, and is the foundation for conditioning any horse for endurance. Green Beans and their horses should not be racing, and even the majority of riders with thousands of AERC miles choose not to race. Rather, the goal of conditioning and competing (particularly for Green Beans) should be to finish the ride with a completion, hence AERC's motto "To Finish is to Win."
The Importance of Rest
Rest is a critical component of conditioning. Many new riders make the mistake of over-conditioning and not allowing their horse adequate time to rest. Not only is this unnecessary, but it can cause injuries in both the short and long run. Some of these injuries can end a horse's career in endurance and other activities - even resulting in death. Therefore, it is important to plan for "time off". During your regular conditioning, this can be as simple as give the horse a day or two off in between tougher rides. Rest can mean completely leaving them alone or doing light work, such as easy ground work or short, easy rides at a walk. When competing, a general rule of thumb is to provide one week off for every 25 miles completed in one ride. So, a horse would get one week off for an LD, two for a 50, three for a 75, and four for a 100. Of course, additional time would be given for a horse doing a multi-day ride (such as a week and a half to two weeks off for a horse that did two LD's). Riders who complete high-milage distances and multi-days on a regular basis often use the rides themselves as conditioning and only do light work in between rides. Horses are much better than humans at keeping fitness, so don't worry if your ride-ready horse gets an extra week off here and there. Even previously ride-ready horses who have been given a significant amount of time off (such as the entire winter) can usually get their fitness back within a few weeks of conditioning.
Monitoring your Horse
Only you know your horse, so you are responsible for knowing the signs and signals your horse is sending you. Is your horse enjoying what you're doing? Do they have energy throughout your ride? Are they moving out freely? Are they eating and drinking normally? Are they be "fit to continue" when you're done? These are just a few questions you should consider when monitoring your horse before, during, and after your ride.
The important topics covered here are:
- Mentors matter
- Conditioning your horse's body AND mind
- What is LSD?
- The importance of rest
- Monitoring your horse
- Conditioning for an LD
- Conditioning for a 50
- More resources
Mentors Matter
Mentors provide help, knowledge, support, and advice that is impossible to get on your own. So much of what you do in this sport depends on you and your horse's unique situation. Oftentimes, these are things that simply cannot be addressed over a computer or through a book. In addition, seeing in-person what an experienced rider does and learning from their examples is a valuable experience - even priceless if you consider that mentors can save you from causing permanent injury to you or your horse. The information provided here is a general description of how you can get ready for and participate in endurance, but you should actively seek information from experienced riders themselves. For more information about mentors and how to find one, visit the "Mentor" page.
Conditioning your Horse's Body AND Mind
In addition to being "in shape", it is important that your horse learns to use its body properly to travel the extended distances we ask of our horses in endurance. Among other things, this includes engaging the hind end, lifting and rounding the back, and relaxing at the poll all while keeping a steady and appropriate pace. Though the lack of proper movement and carriage will likely not prevent your horse from completing, improving these will better equip your horse to complete. A horse moving out with a high head, hollow back, and heavy on the forehand has a higher risk of a sore back amongst other issues. Dressage lessons are highly recommended.
Not only is it important to condition a horse's body for endurance, but conditioning their mind is critical to success. Endurance requires horses to give so much of themselves in order to complete rides, especially the ones that are longer distance. Horses that are moved into endurance too quickly can often become sour when it comes to conditioning and work, so they should be eased into longer distances as they are ready for them mentally. They also need to learn to take care of themselves, including eating, drinking, peeing, and pooping regularly. For example, it's not uncommon for a Green Bean horse to "hold it" until the ride is over, which is imaginably very uncomfortable. Moreover, attending a ride presents its own set of challenges and you are not only responsible for your own comfort and safety but also the comfort and safety of the riders around you. Does your horse camp well? Does he get "race brain"? Can you ask him to walk out on a loose rein or is he always pulling? How well does he do in groups? Can he be in front, behind, and in the middle? Does he stay calm when being passed or left behind, both while on the trail and stuck in camp? Does he "give out" on you after a certain number of miles? Does he know how to follow at an appropriate distance? Will he eat and drink strange food in strange places? Will he stand for the vet? Can he calm down or does he get excited, skyrocketing his pulse? If he's left behind, will he be ok on his own? What will he do if you fall off or get separated at ride camp? These are all questions that you should consider and address before attending your first ride. A wise idea is to take your horse to a ride for practice, even without competing, to see how it (and you) will do camping out and going for a trail ride around the craziness of an actual ride. And while you're at it, go volunteer!
What is LSD?
In endurance, LSD does not refer to a drug (unless you consider the fact that most of us are addicted to it!). LSD stands for Long, Slow Distance, and is the foundation for conditioning any horse for endurance. Green Beans and their horses should not be racing, and even the majority of riders with thousands of AERC miles choose not to race. Rather, the goal of conditioning and competing (particularly for Green Beans) should be to finish the ride with a completion, hence AERC's motto "To Finish is to Win."
The Importance of Rest
Rest is a critical component of conditioning. Many new riders make the mistake of over-conditioning and not allowing their horse adequate time to rest. Not only is this unnecessary, but it can cause injuries in both the short and long run. Some of these injuries can end a horse's career in endurance and other activities - even resulting in death. Therefore, it is important to plan for "time off". During your regular conditioning, this can be as simple as give the horse a day or two off in between tougher rides. Rest can mean completely leaving them alone or doing light work, such as easy ground work or short, easy rides at a walk. When competing, a general rule of thumb is to provide one week off for every 25 miles completed in one ride. So, a horse would get one week off for an LD, two for a 50, three for a 75, and four for a 100. Of course, additional time would be given for a horse doing a multi-day ride (such as a week and a half to two weeks off for a horse that did two LD's). Riders who complete high-milage distances and multi-days on a regular basis often use the rides themselves as conditioning and only do light work in between rides. Horses are much better than humans at keeping fitness, so don't worry if your ride-ready horse gets an extra week off here and there. Even previously ride-ready horses who have been given a significant amount of time off (such as the entire winter) can usually get their fitness back within a few weeks of conditioning.
Monitoring your Horse
Only you know your horse, so you are responsible for knowing the signs and signals your horse is sending you. Is your horse enjoying what you're doing? Do they have energy throughout your ride? Are they moving out freely? Are they eating and drinking normally? Are they be "fit to continue" when you're done? These are just a few questions you should consider when monitoring your horse before, during, and after your ride.
Heart rate is one common measure of fitness and exhaustion. While heart rate monitors are nice, they are not a necessary investment. Instead, get a basic stethoscope and learn how to listen to measure your horse's pulse (see the video). Criteria for endurance usually requires the horse to come down to 60 BPM (beats per minute) within an hour. However, a fit horse should be down to this rate within 10 minutes (usually less) after finishing exercise, though this is affected by a number of factors including breed. Many riders choose to in to a vet check so that their horses are already "down" when they arrive.
CRI (Cardiac Recover Index) is related and very important measure of fitness and exhaustion that you will see used at endurance rides. Read more about them here: Monitoring your horse's progressive recovery (Endurance News) |
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Conditioning for an LD (Limited Distance: usually 25-30 miles)
LD's are technically considered training rides and endurance rides begin at 50 miles. However, they are still sanctioned AERC competitions (along with AERC rules, records, points, and awards) and most Green Beans choose to start in these before progressing up to the official "endurance" rides of 50+ miles. Generally, any horse that is healthy, sound, and ridden regularly ridden should be able to complete an LD under time. However, it is still wise to condition you and your horse if for no other reason than to get used to how you and your horse should cover that distance.
The pasture puff (4-5 months to your first LD): If your horse is a pasture puff, start getting them into shape by working with them regularly the way you normally would.
The regularly ridden horse (3-4 months to your first LD): In the beginning, trail rides (even at a walk!) are excellent conditioning for endurance. Make sure you and your horse are comfortable just being out on the trail. Occasionally trotting sections and walking up hills are also recommended. Eating and drinking is critical in endurance, so allowing your horse to eat and drink on the trail is recommended. Some riders prefer to let their horse graze while others ask that the horse take a bite and keep moving. However, horses should be allowed to drink as much as they want.
Adding speed and distance (2-3 months to your first LD for a fit, trail-ready horse): Once you and your horse are confident on the trail and riding with energy left over throughout, you're ready to start asking more and building endurance fitness. If you have a GPS, you can be more precise about how you're increasing your speed or distance. An important rule is to only add speed OR distance one at a time, never both. This means that you can either go farther or you can go faster than you did before, but don't try to go farther and faster. This rule applies at every stage of conditioning and riding in endurance - including the ride itself. So, on your trail rides, start asking for more speed by going the same distance as what your horse is used to but add in trotting sections over good, level footing. Hills and climbs are a necessary part of conditioning, and a typical recommendation is to build a slower "hill day" into your weekly conditioning schedule. However, until your horse has had time to strengthen its body, avoid trotting up and down hills that have more than a gradual incline or decline. Teach your horse to take care of itself on all footing, including slowing down for hills, rocks, and continuing to eat and drink. Finally, it is recommended that you increase your demands by no more than 10% at a time. Once your horse is comfortable with your current speed and distance (see "monitoring your horse"), you're ready to start asking more.
How far should I go?: As a general rule of thumb, you will want to work up to doing 20-30 miles per week split into 1-3 rides (for example: three 10-mile rides with a day or two off in between each; two short rides of 5-7 miles and one long ride of 10-15 miles; two long rides of 10-15 miles; or one very long ride of 20-30 miles). Less milage will likely fail to prepare your horse properly while more mileage will cause unnecessary wear and tear on your horse (and you!). Note: Arena work and other types of riding count as part of your conditioning!
How fast should I go?: You will have a time limit of 6 hours for an LD with up to a 1-hour hold, so plan on having 5 hours to complete the total distance. a moving average of 5.5-6 miles per hour is a great speed when you're getting started (long, slow distance!). Remember, this includes all walking and stopping (and you WILL need to stop for snack breaks, bathroom breaks, fixing equipment, blow up breaks, and any other breaks - and all of these apply to both horse and rider). So, a working trot/gait of about 7-9mph (depending on breed and individual horse) is just about right. Going faster will cause undue stress on ligaments and tendons which can end a horse's career.
Am I ready yet?: Once your horse is doing 20-30 miles per week with ease (see "monitoring your horse" above) at an acceptable pace, you're ready for your first ride! As mentioned above, most horses that are healthy, sound, and ridden regularly can complete a slow LD. However, following a conditioning schedule such as what is outlined above should help you get to know your horse better and feel confident when you attend your first LD. Select your first ride carefully so that the terrain, elevation, and footing is something you are ready to handle. For example, you would not want your horse's first LD to be a ride at a high elevation with lots of steep climbs if your horse has been conditioning on mostly flat or rolling terrain at a lower elevation. Keep in mind that each day of the ride can be very different as well, so be sure to talk to those familiar with the ride and/or the ride manager.
Conditioning for a 50
Before the invention of LD's, endurance riders went straight from conditioning at home to 50-mile endurance rides - and many still do (especially if they are experienced riders). There are two avenues to take if you want to condition for a 50:
Stepping up from LD's (1-2 months after the first LD): Many riders get their introduction to endurance through participating in LD's. Once you and your horse have completed a few (or a lot) of LD's, you may wish to step up to the 50-mile rides. If you are regularly conditioning your horse following the conditioning outline above for LD's and your horse is completing LD's with flying colors and plenty of energy, then you are likely ready for a 50. Again, select your ride carefully so that you are only increasing distance rather than demands concerning elevation and terrain.
Going straight to a 50 (an additional 1-2 months of conditioning in addition to LD conditioning): If you want to skip the LD's and go straight to a 50, it is possible, though here it is especially wise to have a mentor's help. Not only should you follow the conditioning schedule above for an LD, but your horse needs to be consistently completing rides of 25-30 miles with ease. Oftentimes, you will travel this distance before reaching your first hold on a 50-mile ride (with a few water breaks along the way) so your horse needs to be able to travel this distance at a good moving speed (see above) without taking long breaks. As with moving up from the LD rides, if your horse is able to do this with energy to spare, then you are likely ready for your first 50. Again, select your ride carefully so that you are only increasing distance rather than demands concerning elevation and terrain.
More Resources
LD's are technically considered training rides and endurance rides begin at 50 miles. However, they are still sanctioned AERC competitions (along with AERC rules, records, points, and awards) and most Green Beans choose to start in these before progressing up to the official "endurance" rides of 50+ miles. Generally, any horse that is healthy, sound, and ridden regularly ridden should be able to complete an LD under time. However, it is still wise to condition you and your horse if for no other reason than to get used to how you and your horse should cover that distance.
The pasture puff (4-5 months to your first LD): If your horse is a pasture puff, start getting them into shape by working with them regularly the way you normally would.
The regularly ridden horse (3-4 months to your first LD): In the beginning, trail rides (even at a walk!) are excellent conditioning for endurance. Make sure you and your horse are comfortable just being out on the trail. Occasionally trotting sections and walking up hills are also recommended. Eating and drinking is critical in endurance, so allowing your horse to eat and drink on the trail is recommended. Some riders prefer to let their horse graze while others ask that the horse take a bite and keep moving. However, horses should be allowed to drink as much as they want.
Adding speed and distance (2-3 months to your first LD for a fit, trail-ready horse): Once you and your horse are confident on the trail and riding with energy left over throughout, you're ready to start asking more and building endurance fitness. If you have a GPS, you can be more precise about how you're increasing your speed or distance. An important rule is to only add speed OR distance one at a time, never both. This means that you can either go farther or you can go faster than you did before, but don't try to go farther and faster. This rule applies at every stage of conditioning and riding in endurance - including the ride itself. So, on your trail rides, start asking for more speed by going the same distance as what your horse is used to but add in trotting sections over good, level footing. Hills and climbs are a necessary part of conditioning, and a typical recommendation is to build a slower "hill day" into your weekly conditioning schedule. However, until your horse has had time to strengthen its body, avoid trotting up and down hills that have more than a gradual incline or decline. Teach your horse to take care of itself on all footing, including slowing down for hills, rocks, and continuing to eat and drink. Finally, it is recommended that you increase your demands by no more than 10% at a time. Once your horse is comfortable with your current speed and distance (see "monitoring your horse"), you're ready to start asking more.
How far should I go?: As a general rule of thumb, you will want to work up to doing 20-30 miles per week split into 1-3 rides (for example: three 10-mile rides with a day or two off in between each; two short rides of 5-7 miles and one long ride of 10-15 miles; two long rides of 10-15 miles; or one very long ride of 20-30 miles). Less milage will likely fail to prepare your horse properly while more mileage will cause unnecessary wear and tear on your horse (and you!). Note: Arena work and other types of riding count as part of your conditioning!
How fast should I go?: You will have a time limit of 6 hours for an LD with up to a 1-hour hold, so plan on having 5 hours to complete the total distance. a moving average of 5.5-6 miles per hour is a great speed when you're getting started (long, slow distance!). Remember, this includes all walking and stopping (and you WILL need to stop for snack breaks, bathroom breaks, fixing equipment, blow up breaks, and any other breaks - and all of these apply to both horse and rider). So, a working trot/gait of about 7-9mph (depending on breed and individual horse) is just about right. Going faster will cause undue stress on ligaments and tendons which can end a horse's career.
Am I ready yet?: Once your horse is doing 20-30 miles per week with ease (see "monitoring your horse" above) at an acceptable pace, you're ready for your first ride! As mentioned above, most horses that are healthy, sound, and ridden regularly can complete a slow LD. However, following a conditioning schedule such as what is outlined above should help you get to know your horse better and feel confident when you attend your first LD. Select your first ride carefully so that the terrain, elevation, and footing is something you are ready to handle. For example, you would not want your horse's first LD to be a ride at a high elevation with lots of steep climbs if your horse has been conditioning on mostly flat or rolling terrain at a lower elevation. Keep in mind that each day of the ride can be very different as well, so be sure to talk to those familiar with the ride and/or the ride manager.
Conditioning for a 50
Before the invention of LD's, endurance riders went straight from conditioning at home to 50-mile endurance rides - and many still do (especially if they are experienced riders). There are two avenues to take if you want to condition for a 50:
Stepping up from LD's (1-2 months after the first LD): Many riders get their introduction to endurance through participating in LD's. Once you and your horse have completed a few (or a lot) of LD's, you may wish to step up to the 50-mile rides. If you are regularly conditioning your horse following the conditioning outline above for LD's and your horse is completing LD's with flying colors and plenty of energy, then you are likely ready for a 50. Again, select your ride carefully so that you are only increasing distance rather than demands concerning elevation and terrain.
Going straight to a 50 (an additional 1-2 months of conditioning in addition to LD conditioning): If you want to skip the LD's and go straight to a 50, it is possible, though here it is especially wise to have a mentor's help. Not only should you follow the conditioning schedule above for an LD, but your horse needs to be consistently completing rides of 25-30 miles with ease. Oftentimes, you will travel this distance before reaching your first hold on a 50-mile ride (with a few water breaks along the way) so your horse needs to be able to travel this distance at a good moving speed (see above) without taking long breaks. As with moving up from the LD rides, if your horse is able to do this with energy to spare, then you are likely ready for your first 50. Again, select your ride carefully so that you are only increasing distance rather than demands concerning elevation and terrain.
More Resources