First LD ride - a learning experience.

[atomicfriday]

Today, after years of dreaming, I finally got to take a stab at endurance. However, I will say if you havent been riding for seven years… Stick with the shorter fun ride! I know I was a bit ambitious to finish the full 30 miles… But it was offered to me and I just couldnt say no.

I was mounted on a 16h Arab x NSH gelding with a huge impulsed trot, quite a big difference from my 14.2h QH! I was accompanied by two saints of mentors and the horses owner breeds and has over 15,000 miles logged and I couldn’t have felt better in anyone’s hands. I learned a lot as far as how the races are run, paces on the trail, and how vet checks are performed. Everybody was so nice and down to earth, people you are instant friends with!

That all being said, I only completed the first 15 mile loop. My ankles were jello in the stirrups and my core muscles weak. Despite this, I taped my ankles up and mounted up again to try the second loop. We didn’t get a mile til my horse decided to shy and leap to the side in a spook… he zigged, I zagged, and ended up in the dirt! I truly believe if I was stronger I would’ve been able to sit the spook. However I didn’t and was given a very sore reminder of my limitations. I decided to call it a day and walk back to stretch myself out, and I must say my horse wasn’t at all too perturbed to go eat hay with his buddies!

Overall I am embarrassed and my pride is a little hurt, but I should’ve to begin with acknowledge I’m out of shape for this and opt for the fun ride. It was discouraging, but I know in the proper shape with my own horse would make a world of difference. Despite my less than ideal outcome I truly feel endurance is something I want to pursue, and it was a great learning experience and I was able to meet some pretty awesome people. I was invited to try another ride next month on a horse that could potentially be mine; however In the mean time I need to find someone’s pasture puff they need worked because I’m not making the same mistake of being physically unprepared!!

So go ahead, tell me I’m dumb because I know it! Lol. My very sore tuckus and left arm (which I’ve broken in the past) jelly ankles and splinted knees aredoing a pretty good job in the mean time!

[gothedistance]

:lol: You’re (not) dumb!

Here. Prop up your sore body on some soft cushions and allow me give you a few hints:

Hint #1: Aleve, Advil, and Tylenol are your best friends when it comes to doing distance rides. Remember that next time. And take them before you set foot in the stirrup to help prevent you from getting sore. Don’t wait until you are sore - then you don’t ride well and you burden your horse.

Hint #2 - don’t look for a pasture puff to ride. You won’t condition your body as well as you could riding a faster, longer striding horse. Find a faster, fitter horse…maybe the horse you rode at this ride?? …and start logging those miles. Chart your miles on Google earth if you don’t have a GPS, and increase your distance by at least 1 mile each time you ride.

Hint #3 - start walking or biking to build your leg muscles. Especially biking. You will notice a world of difference in your leg and back strength in just a few weeks.

Hint #4 - TAKE ELECTROLYTES yourself during the ride. Pedialyte, or any other brand of good human e-lyte, will keep that core of energy going and keep your system in balance.

Start conditioning your body now and by the end of the month you’ll be ready for another ride…and this time you’ll be successful. I’ll guarantee it.

[SabalPalm]

You did great! We were very impressed with you tackling the ride after so long out of the saddle. I didn’t know it have been THAT long. And to get on a strange BIG horse and do the miles you did shows you have what it takes to be an endurance rider.

It was great riding with you and I hope to see you again soon. You’ve made some contacts for the future and we’ll all help you on getting back on the trail.

Debbie

[GotMyPony]

Maybe I’m crazy but I think if being “brought down to earth” (figuratively and literally!) is going to happen, it’s better to happen sooner rather than later. Now you probably have a more realistic plan for how to get in shape and a better idea of what to think about in terms of a future horse. (hint: 16H is really big for an endurance horse!) And even though your ego and butt are bruised you didn’t get any really serious injuries. So it’s all good. Thanks for updating us and it’s great you enjoyed the day anyway.

Just a thought, between now and the time you get to do endurance regularly, you could volunteer at rides and learn even more; working with the vets would be especially informative.

(FWIW, I combine power-walking every day (40 minutes) with 2-3 workouts/week at Curves and it really helps me stay fit. I’m probably a lot older than you are!)

[2enduraceriders]

WOW, so sorry for your fall. The first thing you need to learn to do is to post rather then to pump. There is no reason for you to put all that energy into posting (or horrors, standing in the stirrups). Watch the riders. The ones that compete time after time and do the hundreds on a regular basis let the horse do the work. Anyone that can ride 6 miles on their horse in an hour should complete a 25-30 mile with no problem.

[Lieselotte]

Good for you to come back here and give us a report! There was someone else a while back asking how to get fit for their first ride, I hope they read your post as well. It looks/sounds a lot easier than it is, doesn’t it? And this wasn’t even a “real” Endurance distance so you know you got some work ahead of you. But it’s great that you’re even more determined now and won’t let this stop you. Ride lots and rock on!

[atomicfriday]

Thanks for the kind words and support everybody; it is appreciated! Gothedistance, the horse I rode is located a few hours away from me so riding him regularly isnt really plausible lol. I will look into biking, I work at a high volume tiki bar on average 10 hours a day so i log in walking miles quite a bit! My legs are sore (everything is!) But not as sore as I thought they would be. The main problem is strengthening my ankles, it was a terrible struggle trying to post and ride when my ankles simply chose to ignore me.

Debbie it is so nice to hear from you! I’m sorry we couldn’t stick around to say bye but I feel so lucky to have been accompanied by you and Kim. I can’t even believe we did 15 miles, it seems like it went by so fast! I really look forward to seeing you on future rides and I love your gelding, he is beautiful.

I never thought it would be easy, when she offered me to go do an “easy, short 30 miles” I was thinking to myself “short? Easy?!” But I can totally see how 30 miles is nothing to a seasoned rider. I had my doubts but got caught up in enthusiasm, and now I know! The first 15 took a over two hours but once we came into ride camp I was slightly relieved due to problematic ankles but it was also like “already?” It seems like it went by so much faster. I never really realized what 5, 10, or 15 miles on a horse at what pace felt like. I will invest in a GPS to log rides once I get my own horse but its very informative to feel first hand what to expect.

[saffire_100]

Good for you for giving it a try and knowing when to call it a day. Fitness level is very important for the endurance rider. I rode for years without doing any cross-training, but I can tell you I’m a much better rider now that I do cross-train. Something you can do is wide squats holding a weight in your hands (I hold 20 lbs). Step to the left, squat, return to center. Step to the right, squat. This builds up yours legs and the side step adds instability so your core is engaged and this would help with your ankles too. Good luck for your next ride.

[katarine]

Shoot, kudos for getting out there and doing it!!

[Marney]

Way to go!!! I loved the report and glad that your OK… I was reading about how fit you need to be in Endurance 101 and realized I better get my butt in gear. I have weak ankles too so better work on that as well, didn’t think about those much… With my TB in the process of being sold I am horseless right now so I better get my bike going and work with some weights. Hearing your report really justifies opens my eyes to how ready you must be:) Great Job!!!

[5chestnuts]

AF - were you using your own saddle and English stirrups, or did you ride in a saddle that had Endurance stirrups? Your comment about weak ankles leads me to believe you were using the classic narrow English hunt stirrups.

[5chestnuts]

AF - Just curious - were you using your own saddle and English stirrups, or did you ride in a saddle that had Endurance stirrups? Your comment about weak ankles leads me to believe you might have been using the classic narrow English hunt stirrups?

[atomicfriday]

Thanks everybody for the k![](nd words!! It was not my own saddle, it was an English type ortho flex and yes it had endurance stirrups. I just got work to do! The horses owner sent me a pic the ride photographer took - check us out!

[IMG]http://oi60.tinypic.com/315k61f.jpg)

[5chestnuts]

Oh, you look WONDERFUL on her!

Since you did have endurance stirrups, sounds like your ankles are the weakest link! Good luck in getting yourself fitter for the next ride. I’m sure you’ll do better, and will complete! And be very proud of yourself…as you should be!

[Lindax3]

I saw the joy on your face when you were riding the trail Saturday and I saw the sadness as you walked in. I hear the desire you have to become stronger and the realization that you’ve got some work to do. I think your awareness is fantastic! Get some riding in and have fun.

[atomicfriday]

You all have no idea how your words of encouragement have lifted me up and made me more determined for next time! I beyond appreciate it and it really shows the caliber of endurance riders characters!

I wasn’t expecting to go and do it for another month or so, but this Saturday I am making a road trip to try out three potential horses for myself! I haven’t had the best of luck finding a horse to condition on, but I figure if I am it might as well be my own. That way we will become familiar with one another and grow at the same pace. I’m not taking the trailer with me as I want to go home and think about my options good and hard, and i won’t have a spot open at my barn til April. I’m very excited but don’t think its completely set in yet!!

[sbwinde]

Way to go and congrats on your first ride! Having a good mentor is so important in this sport. Also conditioning yourself and your horse. There is a short article on preparing your body for endurance riding.
I completed a ride last weekend, and my knee and ankle get pretty tired by the second loop. I used half chaps for the first time on this ride, and it really helped in my level of comfort, and reduced the stress on my legs and probably my horse. Beyond training your body, there is some equipment that just makes it more comfortable. Did you used wide endurance stirrups? Perhaps you can get boots with more ankle support and add half chaps for additional support and grip on the horse in case she spooks. Good luck on your next ride!!!

Sara

[independentlyawesome]

[QUOTE=ato![](icfriday;7482712]
Thanks everybody for the kind words!! It was not my own saddle, it was an English type ortho flex and yes it had endurance stirrups. I just got work to do! The horses owner sent me a pic the ride photographer took - check us out!

[IMG]http://oi60.tinypic.com/315k61f.jpg)[/QUOTE]

That’s a 16hh horse! You must have legs that go on forever!

Glad you had a great outing and your positive outlook will serve you well for future endurance events.

[fairtheewell]

You two are so cute. I notice that your ankle angles in and your foot out in the photo. That will really stress your ankles…think about turning your toes in and draping your leg more (your whole leg and ankle in more of a U shape around the horse). You will have more stability and less stress on the joints. Kudos to you for getting out there and doing it!!

[atomicfriday]

Half chaps are -definitely- on my list! I’m actually only 5’4" but my legs are kinda long for my height!

I’m not exactly sure at what point that photo was taken, but if it was the time near the end at that point my ankles had a mind of their own. What’s weird is that despite how jelly like and weak they were they never became sore? How does that make sense?