I have been an avid runner for 18+ years with
tens of thousands of injury-free miles, and am also an Endurance rider (although
am taking a temporary break from Endurance of late while putting my wife through
college and helping to raise our three young children). I believe I'm
somewhat qualified to provide some thoughts based on my experiences. Your
mileage may vary.
I know running alongside the horse has been done
successfully by several folks at Tevis and perhaps other elite-level
rides. It is a good skill/ability to have. :-)
I have typically dismounted to run with my horses
for a variety of reasons. Riding away from "in-camp" vet checks sometimes
has presented problems, and I have found that running with the horse sometimes
is easier and faster than dealing with a horse who wants to fight to return to
camp. Much depends on whether your horse is the type who will "get away"
from you if you're not on his back and try to run back to camp. Mine
don't. I've occasionally run the first half mile or mile from camp when a
horse didn't want to leave the vet check.
Other times I've run next to my four-legged
partner:
- when the trail is muddy or
when there are numerous holes
- when I've sensed the horse is tired--when he seems to be working
harder than he should or when his pulse is up for no apparent
reason
-- long
climbs late in a very long ride would seem to be a good time to get off and help
the horse, as well
- I've gotten off to run simply
to keep myself limber on longer rides, and have found that any post-ride
soreness is significantly reduced if not eliminated by doing so
Again, your mileage may vary. I can
keep a running pace very similar to the horse's average pace throughout the
entire ride distance, so running doesn't really cost us much "time"...
though time isn't the only reason one would dismount to run. Trying to
help the horse stay sound for "that next Endurance ride" is a key consideration,
as I have only ONE Endurance horse and her long-term health is
critical.
Have typically run up to 10 miles alongside my
horse on long "training rides" where I've needed to round out my own weekly
mileage... this is something I have practiced with Molly on training as long as
I've owned her, so she's gotten better about respecting my "running space",
responding to cues while I'm alongside her, and being led at my running
pace.
I need some advise from those riders who run with their horses.. I have
recently started running when I condition and really enjoy it. I was
able to make it to a ride 2 weeks ago and decided to try my hand at running
and give him a little break. I found that he needs the first 22 miles
well behind us before it is safe to get off and run vs get off and be drug at
high speeds.. :) I would really like some imput from experienced riders who
run. When is it best to run, what is going to help the horse the most, and so
forth. Any advice is welcome..
