Abby--welcome to the group! Your horse does need to be 5 yrs. old to compete in an endurance ride (AERC rules). This is an important point that people starting in endurance need to know---glad you mentioned your horse's age. He needs to develop the muscle, tendons, and ligaments that a young horse just hasn't acheived yet. Please don't push him at just 3 yrs. old, he is technically still a colt at this point in his life. Start out with long, slow distance training. By the time he's 5, if you are riding him regularly now, he'll be better off and ready for the demands of endurance riding. If you need to feed the bug now, do you have another horse you can ride until he's older?

I would reconsider the Aussie saddle for endurance competition. They tend to be heavier than most endurance saddles, which are designed to be lighter to help over those long distances. Think about your tack over miles and miles of riding---you want less weight and less coverage to avoid heat and fatigue. Endurance tack is designed for this and is a great investment. Please, please read the book, "Go the Distance" by Nancy Loving, and read anything else you can on the sport to help you get started.

It's great that you've been into horses for over six years, but remember that horses are a lifelong learning experience. I have owned and ridden horses for over twenty years, and as much as I'm into it, I'm still learning! So don't rush your horse, continue to crew if you can, and observe what the other riders are doing. You'll get there! And good luck to you....

Abby and Colleen,
You can do a limited distance (25 miles) if your horse is 4. I have been doing them with my daughter. Her horse is 4 years old. She is doing great. She is a pinto. Don't know her breeding but she is quarter horse type, very stocky.

I hope you enjoy when you start.

Hi Sandy...Boy, sure wish I was more of a saddle expert, but I can hopefully offer you info on what I do know. I can't tell by your post if your TB is narrow-withered, as some TBs tend to be, or if he's wide, or if it's more an issue with his back. I can tell you I ride regularly in an inexpensive Abetta endurance saddle. I have two of them, after sadly realizing I don't fit into my 15 inch anymore, so I purchased a 16 inch at Equine Affaire (it was cheaper there than online!). The difference was much less soreness in my legs and knees. I do like that the Abetta is so lightweight--easy to throw on that tall TB, I bet! And so low maintenance, too! Perfect for trail riding. I did invest in a wool seat cover that goes half way down the fenders--not a cheap fleece one either! This is lamb's wool and you can get it on Valley Vet's website. A great investment for any saddle, and I can attest to how many hours it's allowed me to be comfortable out on those long trail rides! I've never owned an Aussie saddle--as an endurance rider, I worry about the weight and the maintenance, although I know many Aussie owners will swear by them. You may also go through a saddle shop (in person or online) that will let you try the saddle before you buy, since your horse is hard to fit. The other option is to go custom made, but if you're on a tight budget, these can be expensive! By the way, I am not sure how saddle-savvy you are--does your current saddle have full quarter horse bars or semi? (If it's a western saddle). You may want to switch to a saddle that has semi or full bars depending on what you have now. Good luck and hope I helped some!

I find the Aussie more comfortable and stable than the endurance, however, in the longrun and endurance saddle may be more comfortable for your horses and easier to fit from my experience. :)

Yes, I've always heard Aussies are comfie saddles. If I ever find a good deal on one (and I've got the extra $$), I'd buy one! I have both western and endurance saddles. Would like to add a decent English saddle, too. I feel a good rider should be able to ride in any saddle! (Although a new one does take getting used to...)

or you could try a treeless saddle, i have one of them and they are really comfy and ...don't have a tree...

Good Suggestion! =)

if your going to go treeless go for a barefoot. they are very very comfy! my friend has some and lets me ride in them once in a while. they can be pricey but if you want comfort and durability then i believe that this is the way to go. sorry that this is really late.

Hi Ariel--great question...the first thing you want to consider before competing is to attend a ride as an observer. Just show up at the ride, and if you can strike up a conversation with some of the riders, vets, and possibly the ride manager, you can have a myriad of questions answered and you will learn so much. I know one of our group's members is a volunteer at rides, and that is a great way to introduce yourself to the sport. If your horse loves trails and moving fast, that's a good start...but much more goes into the sport! If you condition your horse properly for a ride, you should be in good shape. I would start with limited distance (25 to 30 miles) and see how he does with that. A good strategy is to plan to compete your first year or two strictly in limited distance or even competitive trail rides (similar sport, but different rules than endurance). Also, get your horse used to camping with you---most rides will likely be at least an overnight trip from your home, and if they are closer you will still want to keep the horse at the ride overnight, because one of the first things you have to do at a ride is vet your horse in. Many rides will only hold vet-ins the day and/or evening of the ride because the ride will start very early the next day (make sure you attend the ride meeting the night before, too!).

Also, an important thing to remember is to assess your tack before you venture into the sport. Nothing will make you more tack concious than competing in endurance. Tack that's fine on a short trail ride may not hold up well or irritate your horse over very long distances, and after so many competitions you could be looking at a sore horse due to ill-fitting tack. Many endurance riders prefer biothane tack due to its ease of care; it lasts over a long period of time, too. Make sure you have a saddle that's comfortable for you and fits your horse. A light trail saddle outfitted with rings for you to attach trail necessities is ideal. Endurance saddles are the way to go, as they are designed for the sport! Check out the AERC's website, www.aerc.org for more tips and information on endurance, and don't forget to check out the ride calendar too! Message me anytime if you have more questions, and happy trails!

Wow Samantha--first of all, I am so sorry about your TWH. It sounds as if you were lucky to have him in your life and loved him very much. Congrats to your mom's accomplishment--you know, I rode in the EXACT same ride, but exactly one year ago (Oct. '07 ride). Were you there? It rained all night the night before, but the next day was nice. We had a small string of bad luck on that ride--first, I was doing very well in the 30 LD, was running 2nd place at the vet check. But then my horse cut his heel bulb and went lame. Had to pull him at the last pulse 'n go with just a few miles left. He would have made it otherwise, with flying colors! I wasn't prepared for all those darned rocks. I heard they were going to change the trail for this past year--did they? I didn't make it this year, my horse is now having metabolic issues when we travel & ride (long story). The other run of bad luck we had there is our truck's water pump went out right in the campground--thank GOD it wasn't while we were on the road to home, cuz that was what we were about to do. We had a 7 hr. drive ahead of us! Also thankfully, the owner of Fort Valley Stables drove us to town to an Auto Zone and we picked up a water pump--but then my husband had the lovely task of replacing it right there in the campground! It took hours, but he did it and we made it home. Whew, what a trip! Anyway, I certainly would love to see more posts from you as to your experiences being a part of the OD rides--you must have some great stories to tell! Endurance riding is always an adventure, and sometimes that's true beyond the ride itself!

They moved the base camp in all of the rides except for No Frills. New base camp is in Orkney Springs and from what i heard the trails are AMAZING!!! As for the Fort Valley Ride, they used Fitchett's Field for the base camp this past year. My mom who was elected to the OD Board at their Christmas Party was so excited about her ride. I really dont know when i will be able to even condition for one of those rides because i am still a full time student in college. As for the stories i really dont have any to tell except for the OD ride in June one of the radio guys got struck by lightening becuase of where he was standing when the storm came through... each of the rides there was a huge amount of rain... my mom rode on saturday back in Oct and it rained all day. The day before it was sunny... go figure huh? im sorry to hear you are have metabolic issues with your guy... when Jack passed away a couple years ago he had a small colon impaction and then we think he threw a clot from where they IVs were... I miss him so much... but the good thing is that i can go out and talk to him whenever i want to since he is buried in the pasture...

Well, I'll be pulling for you to get back to riding again. I know once you have time and when you're ready to do it, you will. It is people like you who volunteer their time on those rides that make the sport what it is!

It is just that my priorities are riding right now... at least not until i am done with school in June. Then who knows what will happen...

What are you going to school for? (Just curious). Good luck to you!

I will have my Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice come June. I cant wait until i am done...

That's great! Good for you! June will be here before you know it! It can't come soon enough for me, lol!

Are you planning on riding any of the OD rides this year?

Ohhh, man, that's a good question! I would absolutely love to, but I may be finding myself in between endurance horses this year. My current endurance horse, Brago, had three episodes of tying up last year. Two were at endurance competitions, then the third was on a regular ol' trail ride (but a mild episode). We did haul him to all the rides he tied up on---so I'm thinking he stresses himself out in the trailer, although he's been on plenty of other trailered rides and not tied up at all. Anyway, if he doesn't do well this year, I doubt I'll go far with him. I love him, he's a good horse with a great heart, but if he can't do it, he can't do it! I now have an Anglo-Arab mare, got her last month. The plan is for her to be my next endurance horse--she has great conformation and is built nice for the sport. Check her out on my profile! The big drawback--she's 9 yrs. old and has never been ridden! So I can't compete with her until she's trained, then I have to condition her. I am hoping you'll see her competing in the 2010 season--although if things move well, I may have her in a ride by the end of the '09 season. That would be great! We'll see, I have to keep my goals realistic, but optimistic too!

Well if you cant ride the rides this year we are always looking for volunteers!!!

=) Hopefully I'll get to volunteer a ride--there's always a chance I could make it down to do that!

Correction--the email I got from AERC says it's for RENEWALS...I'm assuming by this that if you are new to AERC, you can still join after Feb. 1st. They just want current members to renew by then. Sorry for any confusion!