For The New Endurance Rider

Funny, right?  For me, a newbie to title a post that.

But I've had enough people express interest to me when my eyes get that gleam, you know the look; the one that a junkie gets when they're talking about their most recent fix.  Or they hear "I can't meet that weekend, I've got an E-Ride."

What's an E-Ride? Seems to be the usual response. 

I also get variations of "You're nuts."  Or "Why do you DO that?"  Or "Uhm, okay."

What can I say?  I'm in it for the "free" T-shirt.  And by "free" I mean it only cost me gas, hay, feed, the horse, tack, the trailer, my time, my food, something for me to sleep in, my ride fees, etc, etc.  But hey, outside of all of that, it's TOTALLY free. 

CAVEAT UP FRONT:
I'm still learning myself!!  I don't profess to have the answers, but I hope that this will help point you in the right direction.  And point you towards the resources that I myself use.

The main source for all things endurance: AERC.org
This is the American Endurance Ride Conference.  At this webpage, you can locate the ride calendar, track your mileage, your horses mileage, look up other riders and get the beginning information you will need to successfully get started.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqx4Qhez7S753wqU5MCnJ4w
This is the AERC YouTube channel where you can learn about things that most beginners ask about frequestly.
How do I safely camp with my horse?
How do I follow the trail?
What is a vet check?
What do I do when I get in to camp?

Or, would you prefer to read something?
http://aerc.org/static/AERC_Rider_Handbook.pdf
The AERC Rider Handbook is another great resource!!!

Trust me. This is a GREAT place to begin your education.

So, you've now looked all over the AERC website.  Perhaps you've even reached out to Troy (she's great, by the way) and decided you want to join.  COOL!!

But, perhaps you want to wait and do a ride before you pay your money.  COOL!!  You can do endurance either way!!!

Oh, you want to know WHY you should join?

Simple.  It saves you money ($15 a ride) at endurance rides UNLESS you're riding "Introduction" rides (I'll cover that further).

But there's more.

AERC keeps track of how many miles as a rider YOU have done and how many your HORSE has done.  It also tracks your points (yes, there are points to potentially be earned at rides).

But you also get the Endurance News from AERC.  This also has a ride calendar in the back, it has useful articles, photos, and is the official notification of final ride results.  There's nothing like seeing you and your horse's name in print when you've completed a ride.  :)

Like I said, don't feel pressured to join.

So, you still have more questions.

Jump on over to Facebook and join the North American Green Bean Endurance page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenbeanendurance/

What's that?  A "Green Bean" is a rider who is brand new to the sport and, if my memory off the top of my head is right, has less than 1,000 AERC miles.

The Facebook page is great for asking immediate questions and getting immediate answers.  So far, there are people of varied experience contributing, so don't think it's just newbies helping newbies.  It's experienced riders as well as beginners sharing what does and doesn't work.  HIGHLY recommended.

From there, go to the Green Bean Endurance page:
http://www.greenbeanendurance.org/

You can join for a nominal fee.  The reason I am a member is because there are competitions, and I think supporting fellow new riders is VERY important.  And I feel like a part of the "Bean" community.  There are also competitions; both Team and this year (2016) Individual. 

Now, let me get to the hard copies of things I've found both useful, fun or various.

The ones I have personal experience with.

Books:
"The Complete Guide to Endurance Riding and Competition" by Donna Snyder-Smith
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Endurance-Riding-Competition-reference/dp/0876052847

"Go the Distance: The Complete Resource for Endurance Horses" by Nancy S. Loving
http://www.amazon.com/Go-Distance-Complete-Resource-Endurance/dp/1570763429

"The Lighter Side of Endurance Riding" by Angie McGhee
Let me say this; this is both educational but HYSTERICAL!!  I frequently found myself laughing (and this was before I'd ever been on a ride).  You CAN buy this book used through Amazon, but don't.  Just, don't.  Go to:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Lighter-Side-of-Endurance-Riding-617006308312312/ and send her a message.  Cost of the book (including shipping) I believe is $20 and she'll even sign and do a personal inscription if you want.

One I have not yet read:
"Endurance 101" by Aarene Storms
http://www.endurance-101.com/ (side note; Aarene makes more money if you buy direct from her website)
This one does, however, come HIGHLY recommended!!

NOW!!  For you, my fellow riders in Texas, here is one more additional resource.
TERA.
Texas Endurance Riders Association.
http://www.texasenduranceriders.org/

And now, perhaps the part you, as a blossoming endurance hopeful were waiting for.  Information on tack.

Let's be honest, we've all seen the photos of endurance horses decked out in flashy and bright biothane tack. 

Except, let me tell you; you don't need it.

Did I just crush your spirit?

I'm so sorry.  Except it's true.  Please, Please, PLEASE for the love of your wallet and all that is holy and un-, do NOT go running out to buy a new pad, saddle, halter/bridle/reins/bit/hackamore and then all new clothes for yourself.  Just don't do it.

Does the saddle you're currently riding in (yes, even that 40lb cutting saddle!) fit you, but more importantly, does it fit your HORSE?!  GREAT!  Use it. 

Don't argue with me, I promise, use it.  Go ride a ride and then come back and let me know what you think.

However, perhaps get yourself a pair of leggings.  Jeans for 25 miles might chafe.  There is a local Texas rider, and he DOES do rides in jeans, but he is the exception, NOT the rule. 

Okay, so now...what does your horse need to know?

Can your horse stand still?  And I mean stand still when there is a CAMP full of other horses milling about and whinneying and calling out and people talking and trailers driving in and out?  It needn't be flawless, but constant dancing at the end of a leadline like a kite on a blustery day isn't going to cut it.  You're not even in the saddle yet and your horse is acting a fool?  Do yourself a favor, work on your horse standing still.  This is a skill a horse simply needs to have in order to not be an annoying shit and waste your time and the rider behind you's time.  This comes in handy while the vet sticks their fingers in your horses mouth (PS-hope your horse is cool with that!), does the "skin pinch" test, runs their hands down your horse's back (checking for soreness), gets behind your horse to check muscle tone (Oh yeah, PS-hope your horse is cool with THAT little test too!), checks your horse's heart rate and gut sounds.  Then, comes the trot out.  PS-Hope YOU can run.  If not, don't be ashamed to ask for help for someone to trot out your horse.  You simply will run your horse on a LOOSE lead down to a cone, go around it to the LEFT (to the LEFT to the LEFT, I almost got creamed by a lady who turned to the right last weekend) and then run them back to the vet.  Vet is looking for lameness or gait aberrations.  They'll check the heart rate again.

Oh, let me break this down quickly for you as well; you may hear the P&R (Pulse & Respiriation) person say "10".  What this means is your horse's heart rate is at 40.  Take the number called, multiply by 4.  USUALLY for a 25 (at least for my rides) your target heartrate is 60 or less.

Now, I said I'd cover an "Intro" ride, didn't I?

An Intro ride is treated EXACTLY like an endurance ride with one exception; no time limit.  You vet your horse in before you go on your ride.  You get a vet card.  You go ride your loop (usually a 10-15 mile loop total MAX).  Come in and vet your horse again.  Do you want to take an hour to ride that loop?  Fine.  2 hours?  Cool.  All DAY to ride that loop.  Fine, but you're missing the point, go back to Endurance 101 and the casual trail riding groups.  No offense, but this isn't for you.

Okay then...here we go.

25 miles.  You have 6 TOTAL hours to complete the ride with your holds AND get your horse to come down to pulse parameters. 

"What's a hold?"

Ahhhh...a hold is a mandatory period of time in which you must stay in camp with your horse.  The length of time is usually covered at the ride meeting, typically 45 minutes to an hour.  During this time you'll pulse down, vet in, go pee, feed and water your horse, feed and water yourself, take a break, and then wonder where did that time go, because you have 10 minutes to get back in the saddle for your "Out" time.

Really, the time does go by quickly. 

"Loop"

A loop is usually the distance you'll ride (USUALLY) before a vet check/hold/etc.  Distance varies.  You'll frequently hear riders referring to them as "loops" (IE-"That 17 mile loop was HARD!" or "You'll do a 13 mile loop for your first loop, and a 12 mile loop for your second loop.").

"Turtle"

This is simply going slow.  I would venture to say EVERY ride has a Turtle award for each distance.  This is the person who came in last and sometimes is hotly fought for.

RM-Ride Manager; this is the person or persons who are putting on the ride.  Be kind, be courteous and make sure to say THANK YOU to them for doing it.  Without them, there'd be no ride.

Vet-Do I Even Need to Cover this?

Scribe-Person who writes on your vet card what the vet tells them to.  Be kind and courteous and polite to them as well.  They're usually volunteers.

In/Out Timer-These are the people you will call your number out to as you enter camp and when you leave camp.  DO NOT FORGET!!  Time is very important in this game.

30 miles.  Total of 7 hours and 15 minutes to complete your ride with your holds AND get your horse to pulse down.

These distances are considered "LD" or Limited Distance.  They are not considered "endurance miles" by AERC.  They are kept in a different category than endurance miles.

And, here we go.

50 miles.  Total of 12 hours to complete your ride.  You have an additional 30 minutes to get your horse to pulse down.

100 miles.  Total of 24 hours to complete your ride.  You have an additional 30 minutes to get your horse to pulse down.

Now that I've said all that, let me say a few last things as a greenie.

"Ride your own ride."
You can make all the plans you want before a ride.  You're going to ride with your friends.  You're going to ride alone.  You want to set a fast pace.  You want to set a slow pace.  Whatever your goals are, understand that they can change!  Do what is best for you and your HORSE!  Is your horse struggling at that fast pace that the front runners set?  Slow down!!  Walk.  Take it easy.  Don't override your horse.  That's a cardinal sin.  Far better to overtime on your horse but come in than to override and have your horse need fluids or collapse or be in distress because you pushed too hard.

"To Finish is to Win"
This is AERC's motto.  And I take this one to heart.  Did you have to pull due to lameness?  Did you turtle your ride?  Did you OT?  Did you even show UP?  You win! 

It's a sport.  And people are highly competitive.  And yet, I've seen people offer assistance and aid to fellow riders.  Even when it could potentially cost them their ride, people stop to offer aid or guidance. 

Even at my last ride, I spent about 17 miles riding alone.  My horse was chugging along, but getting a little tired and bored with being alone.  And a 50 mile rider came up, I pulled over to allow her to pass, and she said we were welcome to "draft", which we did for a while, until I determined it was enough for my horse.  She continued to ride her ride, and I continued to ride mine.

Believe me, this isn't for everyone.  And you'll make mistakes.  I have.  And I've gone overtime twice (on two different horses).  And yet, I've now ridden trails I might not have ridden otherwise.  I've shared the experience with two of my favorite 4-legged animals.  I've met some amazing human and equine athletes.  And I've camped at some pretty places and enjoyed some FANTASTIC meals in ride camps.

4 rides in.  I've got the bug.

I hope that this helps.  I hope that more experienced endurance riders will drop some useful info in here!!

PS-I have a separate blog post that I'll put up at some point, but...these are blogs (mixed); primarily of Endurance Riders.  The first two (the $900 Facebook Pony and She Moved to Texas) are NOT!  But the others are, or have an Endurance bent.  I also find them to be good and useful resources as well!!

The $900 Facebook Pony
http://the900facebookpony.com/

She Moved to Texas
http://www.shemovedtotexas.com/

Redheaded Endurance
http://redheadedendurance.com/

Endurance Granny
http://endurancegranny.blogspot.com/

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time (Funder's Good Idea)
http://fundersgoodidea.blogspot.com/

What Could Possibly Go Wrong
http://www.agemofahorse.blogspot.com/

Green to 100
https://greento100.wordpress.com/

The Journey to 100 Miles
http://fit2continue.blogspot.com/

Wait for the Jump
http://waitingforthejump.blogspot.com/

Merri Travels
http://merritravels.endurance.net/

Karen's Horse Tails
http://karenshorsetales.blogspot.com/

Motoring Down The Trails
motoringtrails.blogspot.com/

William The Conqueror
https://willstheconqueror.wordpress.com/

Armadillo Endurance Ride (Or How I Learned to Love the One I'm With)

What's funny is I have half-written posts here and there that I want to complete and put up. 

Half written ride stories from our first, second, third endurance rides.

What's worked for me.  What hasn't worked for me.  What I'm fumbling with.  You know, all that stuff.

So here's another ride story.  We shall see if I can get it finished.

This one, however, features an unlikely player.  The "dark" horse, if you will.  The unsuspecting quiet character who is always there in the background, but who I haven't spoken much of.

My darling Socks.  "El Sidar" is his registered name.  I know he doesn't come from endurance lines.  Let's be honest, he's a backyard bred horse in case I haven't covered this aspect before.  His redeeming qualities, while many, are not typey for the Arabian breed.

He is thick and stocky.
He was a stud until 6 years of age, and he DOES have foals on the ground.
He is a beautiful bay horse with 4 high whites, some belly spots and a large blaze (sabino, in fact, though the belly patches qualify him for the pinto association).
He has the kindest, most forgiving personality of ANY horse I've come across. 
And he has the kindest, most gentle eyes. 

So, I had the first ride of my fall season last weekend.  The Armadillo Endurance ride in Kennard, Texas.  This butts up against the Davy Crockett National Forest.  I've been excited for this ride for months.  Everything I've heard said that this ride would be great to bring my slimmer and trimmer Paso Fino to.  I was eager to see what I now had for a 30 mile ride.

I had the truck totally loaded on Thursday evening.  My clothes packed and in the truck.  All I needed to load were my pillows and myself in the morning.

I was up early, took my "last" shower and was out the door by 8 am.  Quick Wal-Mart run for ice and a few last minute things, then a hop/skip/jump to Tractor Supply for a bale of hay. 

My goal was to be on the road to Kennard by 9:30.

I was at the barn by 9.  Which meant I could still make my goal easily.  Hooked to the trailer in 5 minutes.  Drive to the pen and start loading up my water tank.  Rinsed out one of my coolers, and piddled a little bit waiting on my tank. 

Figured that as the tank was taking longer than I thought, I'd go grab Strider, load him so that I could turn off the water and go.

I go and grab him, and bring him out of the pen and take him to the trailer to look him over.

And then I saw it.  It?  Them.

Tears welled in my eyes as I saw two LONG scratches down his back and side.  RIGHT where my saddle would sit.

No.  Nonononono.  This isn't FAIR!  Why?!! 

"Well," I tried to reason with myself.  Maybe it's not so bad?  Maybe?

I touched the one closer to his spine.  No reaction. 

"Well, saddle doesn't sit there...so, maybe....?"

But that second one.  Oh that second one. 

I touched it.  Lightly.  And he flinched.  Touched it again.  Another flinch. 

More tears. 

I took a photo to send to Holly (my farrier and trusted horsewoman).  A second opinion.  Though in my heart I knew.  And she agreed with my assessment.  If he's flinching, no riding.

There I was, in tears.  Not mad at my horse, but the situation.  Knowing this was our ONLY ride before our potential first shot at a 50 in December. 

I called Joe in agony and told him I guess I wasn't going.  I was going to scratch and come home.  I'd wasted my day off of work.

"Take the old, fat nag," he told me.  "What's the worst that can happen?  You're already packed and ready to go.  At worst, you'll spend the day riding your horse."

"But...but..."

"Just go Erin."

With a sigh, I agreed and grabbed unsuspecting Socks. 

And away we drove.

The drive was uneventful, little twisty and windy and some hinky backroads (I apologized a few times when I hit humps in the road that shook the truck; can't imagine how the ride was for him!).

Got to ride camp and knew I wanted to be near some friends who I knew were coming.  I actually really liked my campspot for this ride.  Near the tree-line, but right at the 50/100 mile finish line and no one near me.  Of course, long hike to the potties, but...well, gotta make concessions!!


Got him unloaded and started trying to soak the hay and get him hydrated before vetting in while setting up camp and my portable corral.

We vetted in, all A's except for his jugular refill.  That's a little concerning as I always get all A's down the line.  Asked one of my trusted friends on how to combat that in the future.  "Electrolyte a few days prior to the ride."

Ah.  Yes.  Would make sense.  I hadn't done that and had never thought of doing it before rides.  Will be making THAT a part of my ride protocol, that's for sure!!

Other than that, it was attend the ride meeting and make plans on how to ride this ride in the morning.  I decided to ride with a friend, which is a fine and noble thing...but on reflection now...the adage is true "Ride your own ride."

So, morning dawns, no big deal.  I get saddled up early, Socks is a little confused about what's going on, but he's such a mellow guy, he just settles in and we walk around, milling with the crowd at the start line.  I opt to leave this situation as some horses really do get riled up, and the lady I was planning on riding with hadn't yet shown up.  Ride over to her trailer, she's still tacking up and it's a few minutes until trail is open.

I'm a little panic'd, but internalize it and think "Well, I usually leave after the front and mid-pack, so we'll be alright." 

By the time she's ready, trail has been open for about 15 minutes.  As we're leaving, the out timer calls out "You do know trail has been open for a while, right?"

"Yes!  Thank you!!!"

And off we go down the trail.  It is a gorgeous single track with nice footing (a few roots) through these pine trees.  We're having a good time just walking and trotting.  We eventually managed to catch up to some of the back of the pack riders and we all fall in together leap-frogging as we go down this wide road. 

Ignore the bad riding.  No, seriously please.  Focus on the pretty pony!!

My friend and I eventually decide we're just going to move on ahead, which we do with ease.  Both horses feeling great and moving out beautifully.  Socks is having the time of his life. 

Look, Socks is the "nag", the "plug", the "babysitter".  I put people up on him who want to ride, but are intimidated by speed.  He's a horse, so he will occasionally spook, but he's never mean, and never malicious.

But this ride.  My goodness, he wanted to canter and trot.  Canter and trot.  He was having FUN! 

Now, here's why you shouldn't chit-chat at ride meeting and actually PAY ATTENTION!!!

This loop was marked with yellow ribbons.  However, we're also riding in a national forest, which has permanently marked trails.  I vaguely remembered during ride meeting them talking about the permanent markers and that we could follow them.

Wrong.  SO MUCH WRONG.

My friend and I are canting down a path and it splits.  To the right, trees with yellow diamond markers attached to them.  To the left, nothing at all.  We mill around for a few minutes and decide that DEFINITELY we should take the right fork and ride on.  On we go.  Cantering here and there.

And on.  And on.  Until we get to a real road and a T intersection.  And we realize we've seen neither ribbon nor rider in a while. 

Oh yeah.  We're off trail and not sure where to backtrack too.

Turn around and walk back.  Now, we spot the ride photographer and ask him if he has any idea where we need to go.  Nope, just keep back tracking.

So we keep back tracking.  And run into the intro group of riders.  At that fork.  However, as we backtrack, we see what we COMPLETELY missed before. 

In a bush, there at the fork and hanging low.  3 yellow ribbons.  And a trail off to the left....with more yellow ribbons.

SON OF A....UGH!!  When the ride was over and I checked Endomondo, we basically added almost 5 miles due to this blunder. 

Said good bye to the intro riders and off we tore attempting to make up some time.  Completely do-able, we just needed to trot as much as possible.  I am nothing else, during a ride, if not a perpetual optimist.

We get back in to camp for our trot-by.  Socks trots out just fine; my friend's horse is a little "off", but the vet clears her to ride the next 5 mile loop.  We take too long during this time, but eventually get back out on trail, and I keep an eye on her horse as we move out down the single track.  I don't SEE anything, and he seems to be moving out fine.

The loop flies back, we get back to camp for our hold.  Again, Socks is fine, her horse is still off.  He leaves it up to her, and she opts to RO.

I now have 17 miles to do.  Alone.  I am at the back of the pack and I'm pretty sure I can make up the time. 

Cleared after my hold and I hit the trail again.  No getting lost, nothing goes wrong. 

Well, except down a single track, as Socks and I are cantering along merrily, and all of a sudden, he stumbles and tumbles, and I go flying off.


I lay there on the ground, his reins still in my hands and catch my breath.  And think "Oh please oh please oh PLEASE don't let any of the 50's come up on me now.  How embarrassing."  Thankfully no one does, but I take a few moments to just lay there and assess myself.  I know I'm fine, but I know I'll pay hell for the pain in the morning.

Whatever.  Let's find a stump and get back on the horse, right?  Which I do, after checking HIM over to make sure he's intact and not hurt.  Nope.  He's fine.  Away we go again.

Now, I had my hydration pack on...and it had been working fine most of the day, but I had somehow convinced myself it would work better if I left the top a little bit loose so I could "suck" out of the bladder better.  Except, as we get going again, my back starts getting wet.

SHIT!!  Did my bladder BREAK?  No, I can still get water out of it.  But now I'm drenched down my back and into my buttcrack.  This sucks.  Whatever.  Keep riding.

I spend lots of time singing and talking to him.  Enjoying the scenery, but I'm a little bored.  I don't mind riding alone, but I'm starting to hurt.  And a little worried I might run out of water.

But, we keep chugging.  He's such a trooper that boy.  No horses anywhere in sight or sound, but he keeps going along.  I'm a little frustrated there aren't more troughs, but eventually we get to some and he gets a drink.  And away we go again.

I can tell he's starting to flag just a bit.  I certainly am.

And behind us comes a 50.  Now, this is a well-known endurance rider.  She rides to win.  She has a large stable of horses and always has a GROUP of riders with her.  I know she's not always well-liked, but I was so eternally grateful that she saw us and said "Hey, you are more than welcome to tail us for as long as you want or can keep up."

I am sure some of it is she saw we're in different distances...but I am sure some of it is she could see we were wearing down.  So we did.  Now, Socks can't keep up with a fit as hell Arab, but he trotted for a good long while.  A few canter stretches.  But they kept pulling further and further away.  Which was fine.  I'm not going to push.  I'd rather OT than hurt my horse.  Especially one so plucky and game!! 

Somewhere on trail, I started to bonk.  It was like I started to fall asleep in the saddle.  Hard to explain, but I became just a passenger while Socks continued gamely on trotting as best as he could with a lump on his back.  I do so love that boy.

After what seemed forever, we finally come out in the field.  I know I'm nearing cut off, but I put on a brave face as we trot by the ride photographer.  I know I'm a hot mess in the saddle, but I don't care anymore, I'm done!!  30 miles DONE!!!

We're done!!  Ignore my ugly and bad riding!

I race to the P&R area where I almost fall out of the saddle in pain.  My friend who stayed behind happened to be there, so she helped strip tack and then trotted him out for me.

Now, here's where things are weird. 

Vet said he was a little off on the trot out.  We were also told we came in over time.

But, we earned a completion.  Don't ask me HOW.  I contacted AERC.  I contacted the RM.  It's still on my ride record as a completion.