The equestrian sport of endurance riding features long-distance rides that are controlled. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports recognizes international endurance riding competitions. There are two primary forms of riding and they are endurance rides and competitive trail riding.
We’d like to share more interesting facts about endurance horse riding, endurance rides and competitive trail riding, once you’ve learned the basics, you’ll be one step closer to deciding whether it’s the right type of horse riding for you.
Do You Have the Right Horse?
If you’re the lucky owner of a beautiful Arabian horse, endurance riding could be a good fit. This breed has superb natural endurance, so Arabians often dominate in the most elite endurance riding competitions. It’s possible to compete with any breed, but Arabians definitely have the edge.
This Horse Sport Requires Stamina
Horses need the stamina to compete in endurance rides and competitive trail riding and so do their riders. Typical endurance rides range between 50 and 100 miles. There are rides with shorter distances and they are referred to as, “limited distance rides”, or “LD” rides. LD rides are still tough, but usually have total distances of 25 miles, so they take a bit less out of horses and riders that are competing.
If you’re physically fit, compassionate about the well-being of your horse, and interested in pushing the envelope in terms of equestrian achievement, then the challenging horse sport of endurance riding may suit you to perfection. It won’t be easy but even just finishing will probably give you a deep sense of fulfillment.
Is Endurance Riding Humane for Horses?
While endurance riding does take a lot out of horses, they are cared for during the rides via medical checks by licensed vets. Everyone who is involved with endurance riding makes an effort to ensure that this horse riding sport is as humane as possible.
During an endurance ride, every horse will be stopped now and then to get checked out by a veterinarian. Vets offer caring health care services, just like the kry healthcare platform does for human beings. If a vet decides that a horse is healthy, the ride may go on. Most riders who manage to get faster rides out of their animals, while still accessing proper vet approval at every checkpoint, are very happy riders.
Do You Have the Right Stuff?
Riders who excel in this type of horse riding are a rare breed. They are stoic about discomfort and fatigue. They also usually have great senses of humor, which allow them to look on the bright side during grueling rides. If you are intrigued by the concept of pushing yourself hard to finish a very long and difficult horse ride, then you’ve probably got the grit to succeed in this sport.
Now that you know some basic facts about endurance riding, you should be ready to get involved. For those who don’t want to test their mettle may always watch from the side-lines.