Preparing for long distance horse riding
Fitness and feeding
Your horse must be fit for distance riding, capable of travelling at least 10 to 15 miles a day.
I don’t religiously do a walking then trotting program like some do, especially Endurance riders who do distance at speed, but just increase the mileage to get my horse fit. I do the speed the horse and I are happy to do, sometimes doing all paces.
For example during the week, when time is limited, I keep to a manageable mileage for the time I have available and don’t specially ride every day. At the weekends I top it off with a three to four hour-long ride that is mountainous on one of the days. Bear in mind the terrain you live in and adapt your fitness program to suit.
Some horses will need additional feed to suit the work. Don’t overdo this. The horses’ body will take what it needs and it’ll just pass through its body and you’ll waste it.
Some horse B&Bs will provide pasture mix. I tend to let the herbage in the fields and hedgerows do the job as my horse will take what it requires at specific times of year.
You’re more than likely to ride at a steady walk and stop for an hour for you and your horse’s lunch. This will be ample to revitalise them during the day.
Some horses will pinch herbage as they pass by it, eating as they go. I see no harm in it so long as you’re still boss! Some Long Distance riders like to let their horse graze for ten minutes every hour – this can be allowed when opening gates as well.
Feet
Make sure that the horse’s feet are looked at by a farrier about 10 days before the ride. If your horse is barefoot have your barefoot trimmer check them before going. Its not nice having to walk miles in the back of beyond with a shoe off or a lame horse. It may be wise to carry a hoof boot or two with you just in case of a lost shoe. This has happened to someone I accompanied and we had to leave the horse over night in someone’s field due to two rear shoes being lost and transport it back to base the next day.
I ride my horses barefooted. It’s surprising how tough the feet are and you don’t get the problem of lost shoes. Some horses will be more resilient than others (just like you and me!) even if they’ve never worn shoes at all in their lives. On rougher terrain there is no shame in helping the more tender by getting of and walking!.
Tack
Your tack should be in good condition – carrying the saddle yourself is no fun. Have a rope halter with you just in case. How much you carry for you and your horse will depend on your saddlebags. I put items I want to keep dry in plastic bags tied at the top. My saddlebags are waterproof (supposedly) but you never know if they’ll get damaged by scraping a gate-post! I weigh everything so the bags are balanced and don’t pull the saddle over.
I also put a bright rider neck strap on my horse so that I can be seen coming on roads. I usually have a bright item of clothing too.
Insurance
It is advisable to make sure that your horse is insured for third party liability. You could travel over private land where there is livestock or crops and on public roads. The BHS offer Gold membership that covers this as well as free legal assistance. Contact Numbers Vets, Farriers and Doctors are usually accessible to the holiday providers and only a phone call away. If you are making your own arrangements ask the B&Bs for assistance when contacting them initially. Jenni
Transport
Make sure your vehicle is road worthy unlike this one! If you tow a trailer have this checked out before you travel. You can get insurance that will cover you in the event of a breakdown. Mechanics generally will not touch your vehicle/trailer with a horse in it. These insurance companies will sort any transport to stabling for you so that the fault on your transport can be mended.