Endurance riders - they are the best (long)

[Lynette Helgeson <helgeson@lansford.ndak.net>]

Hi everyone,
I have been on this list for better then 2 years and I have
been very humbled by endurance riders. Most of the time
I lurk and don't say too much, because I am so humble by
the knowledge of endurance people, I do not feel that I could
contribute much. But I have to say that I am totally impressed
with people who ride endurance. They are true horse people.

I have ridden two rides, a 13 mile competitive ride and I just
completed a 25 mile LD. I have physical limitations in mind as
well as body and have been leery but very willing to  keep
trying and learn this sport called endurance.
I had the privilege of volunteering
at the pre-ride in Canada for the Pan Am games this last July
and at first I thought that 50 and 100 milers were unfriendly and
looked down on lowly  beginners in the sport. But then
after spending the day with some of the most dedicated people
in the sport I now understand why I felt that way and why I was
so wrong.

Endurance riders during a ride are TOTALLY concentrated on
their horses and their well being. They are so focused on their
horses and how they are doing that they have a hard time with
chitchat when they are trying to concentrate on how their horse is doing
and how their own bodies are doing and how the ride is going.

I am SO impressed with endurance riders. Not only do they have
the dedication to train through all kinds of adverse weather and
conditions in order to get in condition but they also have to take
the time to learn everything possible about the metabolic system and workings
of their horse. For example, I was lucky enough to work with
the treatment vet at the Pan Am ride and every horse that was treated that day
were
horses that had PASSED the vet check, but the rider of the horse
PULLED the horse because they felt that something was off with
the horse. And sure enough a short time later the horse was in trouble.
THESE ARE HORSES THAT HAD PASSED THE VET CHECK
AND WOULD HAVE BEEN BACK ON THE RIDE IF THE RIDER
HAD NOT PULLED THE HORSE THEMSELVES!!!!! And the horse
ended up being in what could have been a life threatening condition but
the condition was very treatable because it was caught by the rider and
treated right away! I am not saying that the vets there were not good vets,
they were wonderful, but a rider knows their horses better then any one
and they will know before a vet that something is wrong. And they care
more about their horse then any ride, even a qualifying ride such as the
Pan Am.

In order to do a ride such as a 50 or 100 milers, you need to have more
then just a horse in good shape, you have to have a vast understanding of
the particular horse, the metabolic system and how it works, nutrition and
how that pertains to a working animal, how the ligaments and bones work,
the working of the legs, shoulders, etc. Do I need to go on? The effects of
different weather on the horses, etc., etc., etc. I do not know of any other
discipline that requires so much vast knowledge plus discipline in order to win.

My point is I understand the bridge between the LD riders and endurance
riders. In order to go from LD to endurance is no small step. 25 miles can
be done without all of the vast knowledge that is required to do even a 50 mile
ride. Like someone said just about any horse can be pulled out of the pasture
and do a 25, but that same horses could not do a 50. It takes more time and
knowledge to do a 50, 75 or 100. BUT not everyone has the time or desire
to do the endurance ride but they do have the time to compete in the 25 or
competitive. Isn't it great that we have an organization that everyone can be
a part of and enjoy?

So please lets respect and enjoy each other. Because most anyone who does
endurance, LD, or competitive is more of a horse person and know more
then most trail riders that I know. I just did the LD at the 7E Barnburner in
the rain, cold and wind and there was not even one fair weather trail rider
there, just us crazy, insane, horse loving, and competitive distance riders!

I have been on many of trail ride where at the end of the ride the horses were
left tied to the trailer with saddle left on, no water, no feed, while the rider
goes to get
something to eat and drink and rest in the shade. And even later as the horses
are finally taken care of, they are left with minimal care and sweat and dirt
still
on their backs only to have a saddle thrown on their backs and ridden hard the
next day. No a very common sight on an endurance ride.

So people involved in the sport of endurance, no matter what the level,
whether it is LD, competitive, or endurance are
(in my opinion) the tops in the horse industry.

Lynette
In ND were there is not enough endurance rides and
need to be more.