OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ENDURANCE
Information provided by the Ozark Country Endurance Riders

Q What is endurance riding?

A: Endurance riding is a speed contest where one horse and one rider complete a marked course in the shortest amount of tinie. Distances vary from 50 to 100 miles in a 12-24 hour time limit.(multi-days rides are also available.)

Q: "I ride competitive trail, is that the same thing?"

A: No, Competitive Trail such as NATRC or UMECTRA rides cover a marked trail, but do it with a Maximum and a Minimum time. You are penalized for finishing too early or too late. Endurance has no minimum time limit. And the winner is the first horse to cross the finish line and be "fit to continue."

Q; "Isn't that very hard on a horse?"

A Endurance rides governed by the American Endurance Riders Conference have set guidelines and criteria that each horse must pass hefore being allowed to continue Horses are checked by the ride veterinarian approximately ever 10-15 miles, given a rest period' and monitored very closely during the ride. No horse is allowed to continue that does not meet these stringent guidelines.

Q: "Can any horse do endurance?"

A: The answer is no. Horses must be sound and fit to be succesful. However most horses that are ridden regularly and are ridden sensibly can finish an endurance ride in fine shape.

Q:"Is there one breed that is better than another?"

A: Arabians are the breed that you see most often. Arabians have normally a small frame and are very efficient in using energy. However, many other breeds have done quite well. Appaloosas, Quarter Hones Mustangs,and Missouri Fox Trotters have been quite successful. It is the individual horse that makes the difference and the training that you do.

Q:"Like what?"

A: Body type is very important. While a heavily muscled Quarter horse might he just the ticket for roping, his muscles will work against him as he runs distances of 50 miles or more. It has to do with the build up of heat in the body. When you are looking for a horse to ride endurance, think of a "runner" and not a "weightlifiter". Do you see the difference? You don't see many big muscle bound folks running in the Boston marethon.

Q: "What type of training is best?"

A.Long slow distance! (LSD). LSD is the basis for all distance training. Start out slow, and do it for 5 miles, say 3 times a week. Then slowly add miles at the same speed. After your horse can do that without fatigue add a faster speed, but got back
to the 5 miles. Never add speed and distance at the same time. Your goal should be to get to 8-10 mph for 15-20 miles without fatigue. This takes several months if you are starting a new horse. Your horse must be at least 5 years old to do an endurance ride of 50 miles or more.

Q: Isn't there a novice ride of some kind?"

A. Yes! most sanctioned rides in the central region of AERC, offer Limited Distance rides along with the endurance ride. Your horse must be at least 4 years old to do these.  It is very good place to start and learn the ropes and strategies of endurance riding before moving into the longer distances. Limited Distance rides are 25-30 miles normally, and you have 6 hours to complete it.

Q: "Where can I get more information?"

A: Contact the American Endurance Riders Conference at (530)823-2260 or the local organization of Ozark Country Endurance Riders (816)5324596. There are wonderful books on the subject also. And if you are still in doubt or just want to see for yourself, there are rides close by that would love to have you help.

"...to finish is to win!"