Pleasure/endurance rides

Native Lover

Native Lover

Native Pony Fan
Jul 13, 2009
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Iwant to do some lower level pleasure rides and endurance rides next summer on Mz Eva but I don't know where to begin in preparing to get us both fit/ter for these rides. I am already losing weight on a healthy eating regime with my partner this will continue throughout the winter. Plus he has bought me a bike to strengthen up my legs and maybe lose extra weight this way too :)

So anyone who has done pleasure rides please could you give me some tips on where we start :)

Thank you in advance for any replies
 
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I really like this site (written by an Endurance GB competitor)

http://www.mimi.me.uk/4532.html

The tab entitled Quality not Quantity gives tips on getting fit in preparation for the season.

Having said that, I'm hopeless at getting fit over winter, being limited to weekend riding only, and then only when the weather is good enough, I don't really get started until the clocks go forward in spring and I can start riding after work again. Consequently the season is well and truly underway before we're fit! Having said that, I did so much trotting this summer, and tried so hard to do as my RI said and keep my core muscles strong, that by the end of summer I could actually feel tummy muscles - I've tried all sorts of exercises over the years and never actually managed to achieve tummy muscles before! (Not that you could see them, but I could definitely tell they were there somewhere under the blubber).
 
The endurance GB web site has lots of info and links around getting started and training. To be fair most regularly ridden horses are fit enough for a pleasure ride. Some clubs run training rides where you can go and be talked through the vet checks etc. it's really not as difficult as it sounds - rock up and have a go! Endurance GB have also been running a try before you buy scheme where you can do two rides free before you commit to joining - no obligation.
 
Bodshi said:
I really like this site (written by an Endurance GB competitor)

http://www.mimi.me.uk/4532.html

The tab entitled Quality not Quantity gives tips on getting fit in preparation for the season.

Having said that, I'm hopeless at getting fit over winter, being limited to weekend riding only, and then only when the weather is good enough, I don't really get started until the clocks go forward in spring and I can start riding after work again. Consequently the season is well and truly underway before we're fit! Having said that, I did so much trotting this summer, and tried so hard to do as my RI said and keep my core muscles strong, that by the end of summer I could actually feel tummy muscles - I've tried all sorts of exercises over the years and never actually managed to achieve tummy muscles before! (Not that you could see them, but I could definitely tell they were there somewhere under the blubber).
Click to expand...

Thank you for the link, really enjoying reading it :)
 
annareeves0 said:
The endurance GB web site has lots of info and links around getting started and training. To be fair most regularly ridden horses are fit enough for a pleasure ride. Some clubs run training rides where you can go and be talked through the vet checks etc. it's really not as difficult as it sounds - rock up and have a go! Endurance GB have also been running a try before you buy scheme where you can do two rides free before you commit to joining - no obligation.
Click to expand...

I like the Idea of try before you buy :) Will look up Endurance GB


One more question will Eva need to be shoed as she has never been shoed before, and I don't want to start shoing her really
 
She doesn't have to be shod - lots of endurance riders don't shoe. Some use boots, especially over the longer rides where there is stony going - but if you enter Endurance GB or Sport Endurance rides they usually tell you what the terrain is like so you can pick your rides accordingly.
 
I would think endurance was one of the most barefoot friendly disciplines. It's common place to have barefoot horses doing 80/100 km plus though you might have to work up to those :P
 
You could start with fun rides as they tend to be 5, 10 and 15 miles. I did a 12 mile fun ride and it was a good day out.
 
There are some good ones not too far from you and the local GB groups offer a buddy service to get you going. I want to do some next year with my haffie. She has done Rothwell and Escrick park last year with her previous owner and was quite the star. I think there are lincs rides near Waddington etc too.
 
newrider.com
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