Useful & Interesting Articles
We have collated some articles from different areas of the sport that you may find interesting. Some are written by our members, others are articles that you may find useful
Crewing
Ros' experience crewing for an endurance rider and her horse during a 160 km race, highlighting how the sport relies heavily on teamwork, planning, and support despite appearing solitary. It emphasizes the physical demands on both horse and rider, the crucial role of the crew in providing supplies and motivation, and how preparation and determination led to a successful win, leaving the author inspired by the experience.
Article - Crewing.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [170.0 KB]
Ros' experience crewing for an endurance rider and her horse during a 160 km race, highlighting how the sport relies heavily on teamwork, planning, and support despite appearing solitary. It emphasizes the physical demands on both horse and rider, the crucial role of the crew in providing supplies and motivation, and how preparation and determination led to a successful win, leaving the author inspired by the experience.
Article - Crewing.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [170.0 KB]
Feeding the Endurance Horse
This article explains how endurance horses should be fed in a way that closely mimics their natural “trickle feeding” behavior, emphasizing a diet high in fibre with added fats for energy, low starch, and only small amounts of protein, along with essential vitamins and minerals. It highlights the importance of maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance, supporting long-duration energy and recovery, and feeding small, frequent amounts before, during, and after rides to keep the horse healthy, hydrated, and performing efficiently
Article - feeding the endurance horse.pd[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [2.1 MB]
This article explains how endurance horses should be fed in a way that closely mimics their natural “trickle feeding” behavior, emphasizing a diet high in fibre with added fats for energy, low starch, and only small amounts of protein, along with essential vitamins and minerals. It highlights the importance of maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance, supporting long-duration energy and recovery, and feeding small, frequent amounts before, during, and after rides to keep the horse healthy, hydrated, and performing efficiently
Article - feeding the endurance horse.pd[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [2.1 MB]
Hitting the Wall & Electrolytes
This article uses a real endurance ride example to show how both horse and rider can “hit the wall” due to dehydration and lack of electrolytes, emphasizing that proper hydration and electrolyte balance are essential for performance and safety, especially on longer or hotter rides. It explains that electrolytes should be managed before, during, and after the ride, highlights practical ways to administer them, and stresses the importance of planning, adequate crewing, and rider hydration, concluding that understanding and using electrolytes correctly is critical to successful endurance riding.
Article - hitting the wall electrolytes[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [753.0 KB]
This article uses a real endurance ride example to show how both horse and rider can “hit the wall” due to dehydration and lack of electrolytes, emphasizing that proper hydration and electrolyte balance are essential for performance and safety, especially on longer or hotter rides. It explains that electrolytes should be managed before, during, and after the ride, highlights practical ways to administer them, and stresses the importance of planning, adequate crewing, and rider hydration, concluding that understanding and using electrolytes correctly is critical to successful endurance riding.
Article - hitting the wall electrolytes[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [753.0 KB]
Principles of Rider Fitness, Posture & Biomechanics
Emma explores the importance of rider fitness, posture, and biomechanics in horse riding, explaining how the rider’s physical condition directly affects both performance and the horse’s way of going. It offers insight into how the body works in the saddle and highlights areas riders can focus on to improve balance, strength, and overall effectiveness
Article - fitness.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [601.1 KB]
Emma explores the importance of rider fitness, posture, and biomechanics in horse riding, explaining how the rider’s physical condition directly affects both performance and the horse’s way of going. It offers insight into how the body works in the saddle and highlights areas riders can focus on to improve balance, strength, and overall effectiveness
Article - fitness.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [601.1 KB]
Start of the Endurance Season
Maggie Pattinson outlines how riders should prepare for the start of the endurance season by returning to basic training, carefully monitoring fitness and recovery, and carrying out thorough health checks on their horses, including vet, dental, physio, and equipment assessments. It emphasizes learning from the previous season—whether results were good, mixed, or affected by injury—by identifying what worked or went wrong, setting realistic goals, and planning accordingly, while also stressing the importance of rider fitness, preparation, and keeping the experience enjoyable for both horse and rider
Article - start of the season.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [3.8 MB]
Maggie Pattinson outlines how riders should prepare for the start of the endurance season by returning to basic training, carefully monitoring fitness and recovery, and carrying out thorough health checks on their horses, including vet, dental, physio, and equipment assessments. It emphasizes learning from the previous season—whether results were good, mixed, or affected by injury—by identifying what worked or went wrong, setting realistic goals, and planning accordingly, while also stressing the importance of rider fitness, preparation, and keeping the experience enjoyable for both horse and rider
Article - start of the season.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [3.8 MB]
Tried & Tested - Polar GPS Watch
Emma reviews the Polar Ignite GPS watch, describing it as a reliable and user-friendly option for riders who want to track speed, distance, and other metrics, with a clear, customizable display that is easy to read while riding. It highlights useful features such as a dedicated horse-riding mode, simple integration with the Polar Flow app, and phone connectivity
Article - Polar Watch.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [653.3 KB]
Emma reviews the Polar Ignite GPS watch, describing it as a reliable and user-friendly option for riders who want to track speed, distance, and other metrics, with a clear, customizable display that is easy to read while riding. It highlights useful features such as a dedicated horse-riding mode, simple integration with the Polar Flow app, and phone connectivity
Article - Polar Watch.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [653.3 KB]
What to do now it's Winter
Maggie Pattinson discusses different approaches to managing horses during the winter off-season, including complete rest, light “ticking over” work, or a change of activity, outlining the pros and cons of each depending on the horse’s age, temperament, and needs. It emphasizes that there is no single correct method, but careful thought is required to maintain fitness, muscle tone, and health, particularly for older or more active horses, and that whichever option is chosen, a well-planned return-to-work fitness program is essential for the next season.
Article - what to do in winter.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [503.6 KB]
Maggie Pattinson discusses different approaches to managing horses during the winter off-season, including complete rest, light “ticking over” work, or a change of activity, outlining the pros and cons of each depending on the horse’s age, temperament, and needs. It emphasizes that there is no single correct method, but careful thought is required to maintain fitness, muscle tone, and health, particularly for older or more active horses, and that whichever option is chosen, a well-planned return-to-work fitness program is essential for the next season.
Article - what to do in winter.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [503.6 KB]
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