Endurance start to finish - Marcy Pavord

Endurance riding is a growing sport, attracting both the competitive and the leisure rider. Whether you are competing on the family all-rounder for fun, or aiming to race ride 100 miles in a day at international level, this book will help you achieve your goal. A basic explanation of the sport and its ethics is followed by advice on selection of the potential endurance horse, the suitability of a wide range of breeds and how to manage your horse for health and fitness. The complex subject of feeding and nutrition is dealt with in depth, but in an easily understood way, while the importance of balanced and sympathetic riding and the most effective way to ride in endurance competition is explained in the chapter on endurance equitation. Basic conditioning and fitness training for the various levels of the sport are discussed alongside advice on competition riding at each progressive stage, from the first 20-mile competitive ride to the ultimate experience of riding 100 miles in one day.;Tack and equipment, the use of heart rate monitors in training and competition, the role of the veterinary judge and parameters for passing veterinary inspections, pacing the horse by speed over distance, coping with vet gates, riding tactics, cooling out and coping with stress and care of the horse after the ride are all examined in detail. Finally, tips on riding to win and how to deal with problems causing elimination or retirement from the course are covered, with appendices detailing useful addresses, use of additives, supplements and electrolytes and a vital endurance ride checklist.