Newbie question: tack & more!

[Ritazza]

My redhead and I are planning on doing some LD stuff coming up soon! She’ll be great at it for sure, but I am coming from dressage/eventer land and I feel totally unprepared re: tack and whatnot. This is a brand new adventure! I asked a few people already but I wanted some more opinions!

1. My trail saddle of choice is my dressage saddle. It fits both of us like a glove and we love it. Is anyone going to laugh at us if we show up wearing that? Not in the market for a new saddle ANYTIME in the near future!

2. She ties like a rock but I don’t have any sort of panel/hi-tie system with my trailer (not something you do at events!) I was told she can tie to the trailer all night and that is ok for now until/unless I get some panels/electric pen/hi-tie, but that obviously is not ideal. Any tips for surviving that, or what else I can do?

3. What do I wear? I have super comfy tall boots and britches that I ride all day every day in… is that ok for now? Someone else mentioned paddock boots and half-chaps, but my tall boots are more comfy… but I feel like that’s not a good option long term. I also always wear gloves (a habit beaten into me by riding instructors) but I don’t know if I should or not?

4. Bridle/bit… She is fresh and forward and needs a little whoa in a herd setting, but is a bad eater with a bit in (she’ll take a bite and then hold it jammed in her bit for the next however many hours we are out). Ideally a hack is a good option so she can eat… any suggestions for a good one with whoa?

Thanks!!

[ehwaz]

1. Saddle - whatever fits and is comfy. Dressage saddles are pretty common in the endurance world. Only possible problem I could see is if it doesn’t have enough D rings to attach stuff to, but that is easy to fix. You might want to think about using a biothane breastcollar and bridle for easy cleaning, but not necessary. You might want to think about adding caged/padded endurance stirrups for comfort and safety. http://www.easycareinc.com/Other_Products/E-Z_Ride_Stirrups.aspx

2. Tieing to a trailer is fine. I would plan of taking her for a walk around camp every few hours during the day just to let her stretch her legs. Also, its a great way to let her get used to being in camp .

3)What ever is comfy.I know a rider who rides in jean cut off shorts, even while it is snowing and one who wears white full seat breeches. I can’t imagine tall boots being comfy long term, especially when it is hot, but that is just my opinion. Many endurance riders use paddock boots or running shoes and half chaps. Gloves are fine, many riders use them if its more comfortable for them.

4. My horse has a hatred for hacks, so I can’t help much there. I know many use the "little S’ type, but I don’t know how much woah they have. You could always use a bit for the start of the ride and switch to riding in a halter/sidepull/hack once she has settled down. Many endurance bridles will snap on/off or have bit hangers to allow you to easily change headgear.

If you get a chance to go to a local ride to volunteer(without the horse), take it. It is a great way to learn about the sport and watch what others are doing(and decide if you want to follow their example) as prep for your first ride.

[irish_horse]

Use whatever tack and gear are comfortable for you and your horse! I ride in a dressage saddle, no one looks twice, except if someone covets your saddle! I use running hiking shoes and half chaps, as I get off on many of the hills and have caged safety stirrups. It works for me. If you love your tall boots, try them. I always wear gloves during the ride start, but take them off later and put them in my saddle bag. I’d definitely include a saddle bag of some type (for water, rider card, map, snack).

As for tying, I’d say to the trailer is fine. The only concern I have is I’ve now seen two horses at rides cut themselves up on the trailer fender which was sharp. if yours doesn’t have a protective edging on it, I’d add that, just in case. Hang a hay bag to keep her busy, and tie really well, because if your horse doesn’t get loose, someone else’s often does!

Bridle/bit is such a personal choice. I like the type of headstall where I can drop the bit out and still have the biothane halter on. For now you can always carry a small rope halter in your saddle bag, and put that on at a vet check so your horse can eat/drink better. It is a good skill for them to learn! But if you want to buy pretty tack, there are lots of great places (I get mine locally through Australian Connection.)

You will learn SO MUCH as you start going to events. Look at what everyone is doing without judgement, as it works for them. And then pick and choose the things that work for you. I’m just new at this too, many others of greater experience probably have more words of wisdom!

[csaper58]

If you can, do a shorter ride first to iron out the kinks. Try to go with someone who has experience. You might need to look into preventing your horse from getting a leg under your trailer if she lays down.
Cashel makes a product called Tie-One-On, it will add dee rings to your saddle. A saddle pad that has pockets is nice. Take some Body Glide. And Electrolytes for you and the horse.

[jaybird660]

The suggestion of biothane tack is good and they are easily washable and Zilco makes a halter bridle combination that is easily taken apart for checks and grazing, etc.

Dee rings for attaching various equipment can easily be added to many saddles and many trail riders use dressage saddles.

The wider pads on endurance stirrups are helpful in keeping the foot from going numb.

You can check out some of these things on this link.
http://www.trumbullmtn.com/store/endurance/

[Kitt]

If your dressage saddle is what makes you and your horse happy, then that’s what you should be using. Many CT/endurance riders use dressage saddles, and many of the CT/endurance-specific saddles are designed along dressage or dressage-focus lines.

If you want to get some one-on-one advice, I’d recommend chatting with Nancy Okun of The Owl and the Rose Distance Tack (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Owl-and-the-Rose-Distance-Tack/430480760364933). She’s a competitive trail rider and a great saddle fitter as well, and I know she’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Her email is nancybokun@gmail.com.

[Ritazza]

Yes, we’re going to do some of the Intro/10-15 miles rides first

[SuzanneD]

Hi. Re your saddle - some endurance saddles have broad flat bars/panels to distribute your weight better like western saddles. Just FYI.

[candysgirl]

[QUOTE=Ritazza;7236867]
My redhead and I are planning on doing some LD stuff coming up soon! She’ll be great at it for sure, but I am coming from dressage/eventer land and I feel totally unprepared re: tack and whatnot. This is a brand new adventure! I asked a few people already but I wanted some more opinions!

1. My trail saddle of choice is my dressage saddle. It fits both of us like a glove and we love it. Is anyone going to laugh at us if we show up wearing that? Not in the market for a new saddle ANYTIME in the near future!

2. She ties like a rock but I don’t have any sort of panel/hi-tie system with my trailer (not something you do at events!) I was told she can tie to the trailer all night and that is ok for now until/unless I get some panels/electric pen/hi-tie, but that obviously is not ideal. Any tips for surviving that, or what else I can do?

3. What do I wear? I have super comfy tall boots and britches that I ride all day every day in… is that ok for now? Someone else mentioned paddock boots and half-chaps, but my tall boots are more comfy… but I feel like that’s not a good option long term. I also always wear gloves (a habit beaten into me by riding instructors) but I don’t know if I should or not?

4. Bridle/bit… She is fresh and forward and needs a little whoa in a herd setting, but is a bad eater with a bit in (she’ll take a bite and then hold it jammed in her bit for the next however many hours we are out). Ideally a hack is a good option so she can eat… any suggestions for a good one with whoa?

Thanks!![/QUOTE]

1.) I ride in either an ancient Stubben Aramis (dressage model) or a Stubben Roxane (jumping/foxhunting model). They are comfortable and fit my horse. He’s very princess and the pea about saddle fit issues and will loudly protest and/or buck if he’s uncomfortable. Hasn’t objected yet so I’m just going with it for now.

2.) I tie my horse to the trailer. I put him in the trailer (its a 3 horse stock) like its a giant stall. I also use step in posts with “hot tape”. My Arab is convinced anything resembling wire or hot tape is electrified whether it really is or not. I run two strands of it, the highest one being about chest high and I make the entire pen roughly 12x24. Just depends on how much space I have or don’t have which option I use.

As long as your horse stays contained in a safe manner. No one really cares how you accomplish it.

I think it matters less for an LD than if you’re doing 100s if you tie to the trailer. I’d worry about stiffness at the longer distances. My horse has always done fine with it for LDs though.

3.) I usually wear my tall boots because I find them more comfortable than my paddock boots. I don’t see any reason not to continue doing so. Gloves. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. If its super hot, I usually don’t because I find it uncomfortable at that point. Wear what’s comfortable. If it works, wear it.

4.) A lot of endurance riders use the Little S hackamore.

I really like the sidepull bridle from Running Bear. http://www.runningbear.com/catpages/Smart-Bridle-Photos-SP.html The first picture shows it with the Little S hack.

I use it with a snaffle bit at home for arena work, but usually just trail ride/do endurance rides in the sidepull without the bit. I can actually unclip the reins from the bit, clip them to the sidepull rings and unclip the bit all from the saddle. I used to start rides in a bit when my gelding would be keyed up and then pull the bit off a couple miles into the rides. He didn’t need/want to eat in those first few miles (though he doesn’t mind eating in a bit), but would settle down and chill out pretty quickly.

Eating at the shorter distances is much less important than when you’re going more than 25mi so if you need to use a bit for the 10-15mi rides, I wouldn’t hesitate to for training purposes.

[gothedistance]

@Ritazza;7236867

My redhead and I are planning on doing some LD stuff coming up soon! She’ll be great at it for sure, but I am coming from dressage/eventer land and I feel totally unprepared re: tack and whatnot. This is a brand new adventure! I asked a few people already but I wanted some more opinions!

1. My trail saddle of choice is my dressage saddle. It fits both of us like a glove and we love it. Is anyone going to laugh at us if we show up wearing that? Not in the market for a new saddle ANYTIME in the near future!

No. No one will laugh. You will notice a ton of different saddles being used - each selected because the horse goes better in that particular saddle, and it fits the rider. I rode for 5 years in a County Competitor dressage saddle in 50’s and 2 day 100’s. I actually wore out the saddle, then moved to a Sensation treeless (dressage model) which both my guy and myself loved MUCH better. (more comfy and moves with the horse)

2. She ties like a rock but I don’t have any sort of panel/hi-tie system with my trailer (not something you do at events!) I was told she can tie to the trailer all night and that is ok for now until/unless I get some panels/electric pen/hi-tie, but that obviously is not ideal. Any tips for surviving that, or what else I can do?

Tie her for now. Make sure she has a bucket of water she can comfortably drink from, and plenty of hay that will last all night long. Most horses are happy to stay in one spot for hours at a time, and as long as she can occupy herself with eating at drinking at her leisure, she’ll be fine.

3. What do I wear? I have super comfy tall boots and britches that I ride all day every day in… is that ok for now? Someone else mentioned paddock boots and half-chaps, but my tall boots are more comfy… but I feel like that’s not a good option long term. I also always wear gloves (a habit beaten into me by riding instructors) but I don’t know if I should or not?

Wear what you want. Whatever is comfortable for you, and won’t chafe or rub over the 25 miles. Do wear gloves - better protection for your hands and for finer rein control (no sweaty reins).

4. Bridle/bit… She is fresh and forward and needs a little whoa in a herd setting, but is a bad eater with a bit in (she’ll take a bite and then hold it jammed in her bit for the next however many hours we are out). Ideally a hack is a good option so she can eat… any suggestions for a good one with whoa?

For the first part of your ride (what 10-12 miles?) she won’t need to eat on the trail. Ride her in the bit she’s accustomed to, and use this time to develop a partnership of control and pacing. On the 2nd leg of the ride she should be a bit more tired, and more agreeable to going along in a hackamore. You shouldn’t need anything with major “whoa” as she won’t be as keen as at the start.

Just remember: DON’T NITPICK AT HER! Let her go down the trail like you’re doing the walk across the diagonal - long and low with a relaxed rein. She’ll need to figure out how to negotiate the trail on her own, and you’ll want her to develop her own sense of being able to handle the miles without you interferring. You’re job will be to set a working pace and be savvy about the conditions of the trail that will demand you either slow down or speed up to maintain an average 7-8mph. Her job will be to negotiate the trail, put her feet where they need to be, and pay attention to what she’s supposed to do.

Don’t nag, or pick, or bother her. I know this will be hard for you if you’re a dressage person, but again - just pretend this is 25 miles of free walk across the diagonal…at a trot.

Thanks!!

You’re welcome…and have fun.

[sbwinde]

I was just doing research on this and put together a blog post on clothing, tack, what to bring, etc. Here is a link to the blog post: Endurance Riding Equipment and Preparation: What to wear, take, and use