If you’ve read the previous articles in this series, you have an idea of how an equine endurance ride flows, a sense of the physical training, and the education that shapes the horse’s mind. In this article I’ll go over the gear that takes us the distance.

In many equine sports there are requirements from saddles, bits and bridles, down to specific clothing in order to participate. One thing I appreciate about equine endurance, is how few such requirements exist. A helmet is about the only thing all sanctioned rides require. Some rides specify “hoof protection” due to rough terrain, and I’m not sure if it’s an official requirement, but a saddle is a necessity! As fun as bareback riding is for a hack around the property, the protection a saddle offers to distribute rider weight over extended miles is vital to the horse’s well-being. 

Finding the right saddle for the horse is essential, and in my experience, all endurance riders are either: currently fighting with saddle fit issues, have a story of past struggles with saddle fit, or are going to have a problem with saddle fit! While casual trail riders, or competitors in equine disciplines that last 30 seconds to fifteen minutes can get away with a passable or even an ill fitting saddle with minimal damage, any flaw that pinches or rubs will cause serious damage when multiplied over the miles an endurance horse will run.

I went through saddle fit challenges, and these led me to find the Balance International system. I ride in a Balance Nexus, General Purpose Dressage saddle. I have a regular and a wide width that I alternate, depending on my horse’s weight and body condition. The folks at Balance have a functional approach to saddle fit that considers a horse’s shape static and in motion. They offer the widest saddles I’ve seen, and are shaped more like an upside-down “U” than the “V” shape of most modern saddles. They deliberately fit the saddle slightly wider than the horse’s back when standing still, in order to allow for proper movement when the horse is in motion. The space is filled in with pads designed to function as closely to soft tissue as possible. These saddles also consider the comfort of the horse regarding placement of stirrup bars, girth straps, and firmness of the panels. I’ve been pleased with how my horse’s back has not only gone through many hours and long distances without soreness, but has increased in healthy muscle as well.

Hoof protection follows just behind saddle fit as a complex and necessary component for competing strong. Living in rocky mountainous terrain, metal horse shoes were the standard hoof protection for the gals I rode with when I began riding as an adult. Khaleesi also began her riding career in metal shoes, but unlike my previous horse, they never provided enough protection for her to move comfortably through rough terrain. At the suggestion of my previous farrier (hoof professional) I added pads, but even that didn’t bring significant improvement. Then I dove into the barefoot world for a few years and relied on hoof boots to compete. Hoof boots are a great invention, like removable sneakers for horses, to protect the hoof during riding while allowing the horse to remain barefoot most of the time. The Scoot Boot worked best for us and protected her feet in riding, but there were shortcomings. While they worked well for shorter training rides, by the end of a 50 mile race there were concerning rubs. I knew this would be a problem with increasing mileage. Also, I don’t believe now the hoof boots protect the hoof as well as composite shoes.

Composite horse shoes are a relatively new shoeing technology- and it was a challenge to find someone local who was willing to learn to work with them. It took some persistence, but I now have a great farrier who has taken the journey with us! The Easycare Flex are made of a hard plastic type material with a spring steel insert which adds stability. Composites are designed to be either nailed in or glued on. Those in the Western states swear by gluing them on, but most on the East Coast have found the high humidity and wet climate makes gluing generally unreliable. We use nails.

These shoes have been a game changer for us. Khaleesi is not only willing to take on tough terrain faster now, but her hooves have expanded one full size since we switched. The hoof will contract to protect itself and a larger open hoof is a healthier hoof. Also the composite material is shock absorbing and considering we pound out a lot of miles, this is a significant gain to the longevity of her joints and bone structure. 

Speaking of shoes, most of us ride with some kind of hiking or trail shoe with half chaps. Over the years I have tried trail running and hiking shoes-  it’s important to have footwear that works in and out of the saddle. This year, Matt suggested I try an “approach style” shoe which are a hybrid, designed to have the grip and stability for rock scrambling yet still comfortable to hike in. I love them! The stiffer sole is helpful for distributing weight in a stirrup, and they are made to hug the foot which has a great stable feel. When I get off the horse to navigate loose rock in a downhill jog or take on some bouldering, they outperform my past trail runners. I always have two pairs of shoes I alternate. I always need a dry pair available, and a new pair of socks and shoes in the vet check sends me out on the next loop feeling refreshed! The shoes I’m riding in now are La Sportiva Bushido and Salewa Wildfire. 

While leather is still common in most equine sports, endurance riders love biothane – an incredibly strong webbing base, coated with a flexible waterproof PVC-like material. Biothane is durable and long lasting and very easy to clean. Endurance comes with rain, mud, sweat and other elements that can corrode and break down leather. Biothane can simply be wiped off and is good as new, ready for the next mountain adventure. Bonus- it also comes in every color you can imagine, and we LOVE fun color combinations. Over our endurance career Khaleesi has ridden in red, white, gold and now turquoise and gold with little accent gems. 

In most cases, reins attach to a metal bit the horse carries in its mouth. Though biothane reins are common, I prefer rope in my hands and my reins are a 1/2” samson braid by Dressage Naturally. I used to ride in a three piece snaffle bit, but now I use a (biothane) side pull which is basically a modified halter with metal rings attached to the sides for the reins. Picking up either rein gives clear direction. The horsemanship approach I practice and teach starts with the horse’s mind, and if her mind is with me, the side pull is all we need to communicate. If her mind is not with me, no leverage bit in the universe will fix that. I love not having a bit in her mouth for the many hours on trail we she can snag some grass as we walk. 

Most riders attach packs to their saddle for necessities such as water, electrolytes, snacks, and small tools like a pocket knife and a hoof pick. Some riders are highly equipped for emergencies with vet wrap, bandaids, Benadryl, a small roll of duct tape, and a spare hoof boot. I am a minimalist, and ride with only a sponge attached to my saddle with a carabiner and a leash. I toss the sponge into streams on hot days to wet down my horse’s neck which helps her stay cool. Anything else has to fit in my small hydration vest pack which includes a small hoof pick, and a mini plastic whistle. 

In my hydration pack is water mixed with the performance electrolyte “Tailwind.” I don’t snack on trail as I am actively riding the terrain. I carry an energy bar, but it usually makes it through a few races, sometimes a whole year, before I need it. I always carry a syringe of electrolyte mix for my horse which I make in advance with carrot and sweet potato baby food, molasses, pumpkin yogurt, and coconut water mixed with Enduramax powder.

To wrap up, I wear my colorful Hope Horsemanship cycling jersey over a lightweight long sleeve sun shirt. The jersey has back pockets where I carry carrots broken into segments that I hand my horse while on trail. Ariat are my favorite pants, and I snag them when on sale- a side pocket for my cell phone is a must! 

The next ride to test our fitness and gear is the Old Dominion 55 otherwise known as the Beast of the East on Friday June 13. We will let you know on the other side how it went, and then we it’s the final month push to Vermont!