BIG TIPS for the "Big Ride"!
Safety & Etiquette for Endurance & LD Riders -Too often, as this sport is growing so fast, new riders and even seasoned riders embarrass themselves by not dressing their horses properly or by doing something that makes other riders furious. Often this is simply because they don’t understand the unwritten rules and norms of the game we play. This article is written with the hope that both seasoned riders and novices will end up with a common understanding of both the unwritten rules and the safety issues that will help them enjoy this incredible sport even more than they already do! Safety The Written and Unwritten Golden Rules of Endurance--If you are confused, ask! Find the vet or the manager or one of the un-rude longer distance people--they will most likely steer you in the right direction. Golden Rules Food – A Compilation of What Riders Eat at Competitions - Food Tips… Night before… Morning of… and During the Ride and Vet Checks! Let's Eat! South Eastern Endurance Riders Association - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers! Veterinary Considerations – Because of the potential for extreme stress that distance riding entails, it is vital that competitions be monitored by veterinarians experienced in this particular athletic pursuit. Their word is final in all matters pertaining to the safety and welfare of the horses. However, while their primary responsibility is to keep risks within reasonable boundaries, they function as much more than policemen or emergency room doctors. They also serve as counselors and coaches for the riders, helping them to get the best performance from their horses on any given day, and at the same time educating them on how to improve future efforts. Article Veterinary Pre Ride Information - This article will help you to better understand the vetting process. By developing a good relationship between the riders and the veterinarians we should all be able to have a better time. Good Luck and great riding. Article The Vet Check - Arthur B. King, DVM, courtesy of www.OCTRA.on.ca Electrolytes - Managing Heat Scientifically – Cooling - We prefer to ride and compete in the summer, the heat and humidity of that season places a strain on the horse’s system that we as humans may not feel. In addition to the heat of the human-preferred climate, the horse is constantly producing heat of his own. When he’s exercising, he produces it at an alarming rate. Your job as Heat Manager is to get the excess heat out of the horse’s body as quickly as possible. Article Heat Stress and the Endurance Horse: Electrolytes are not the only answer! When cooling, there are some effective methods that can be used to help cool the horse quickly. Before getting to those, however, keep in mind that these horses run hot between vet checks. The longer the temperature stays elevated (or the higher it goes between stops) the greater the potential for the heat stress/heat exhaustion/heat stroke scenario to develop. If we cannot help to dissipate the heat faster between vet checks, then the horse must go slower to reduce the heat build up. Use any opportunity you can to help cool your horse between vet checks. Heat Stress Beating the Metabolic Pull, by Susan Evans Garlinghouse, DVM, Hydration, Gut Motility, Energy Balance Preventing Treatment Guide: What Riders Can Do… Pre Ride, Time of Ride and Post Ride - At a distance ride, no one knows your horse better than you do, so be sensitive to potential warning signs…Guide Disclaimer of Liability: The information found on the DistanceRiding website, is provided for entertainment and reference only. DistanceRiding and South Eastern Distance Riders Association (SEDRA) does not specifically endorse or recommend any organizations, companies or individuals referenced on the DistanceRiding website DistanceRiding and SEDRA expressly excludes liability for any damage, loss or injury that may be suffered as a result of information or opinions expressed on www.DistanceRiding.org |
