I have an 8 yr old warmblood (mostly TB and looks like a TB) gelding that has had a million silly and serious medical issues over the years. I am now hopeful after 2 years of persistance on my part and some excellent veterinarians that I have a relatively normal horse! He is very sound and energetic and I am planning on doing a 30 mile LD in October. We will be doing a slow relaxed pace - just enough to complete. I have been taking him on conditioning rides on the weekends he is not showing (hunters) and ride him on the trails almost everyday at home. It is really hot now in Texas and he is coping well (ride early AM and in the evening). He was really fat after his long lay off and has lost a decent amount of fat and is looking great. I am thrilled that we have gotten to this point and I’m sure the horse is happier hanging out in his field instead of in his stall.
So, since endurance is not his or my sport (I’m doing with a friend who is an endurance rider), what is the minimum amount of joining things I need to do. If I registered the horse a few years ago (before major medical disasters started) is he still registered or is this a yearly thing?
TIA - so excited that this might actually be a reality for us!!
Hi,
You only need to register your horse with AERC once in his lifetime. We on the other hand need to join yearly. Or you can simply pay a non-member fee at each ride.
I think you will have a wonderful time, as I did on my Hanoverian gelding!!!
Prudence - thank you for the positive and encouraging reply. My friend took her WB mare on some rides in between arabians and she did just fine too. I just have to be extra careful as I do not want him to hurt himself (not that y’all don’t have the same concern about your endurance athletes!!). Loking forward to it!
Watch your head - low hanging branches can be hazardous to riders of tall horses if the trail was trimmed for the standard endurance horse. I think horses enjoy endurance riding and seeing new places just like we do.
