Equestrian Endurance Riding: History, Competition & Rules – [Discipline Guide]

Endurance riding is a marathon for horses, with horses and riders covering distances of up to 100 miles per day. Athletes cover rugged terrain including slopes, hills, rivers and streams, and different types of footing, during the competition.

Endurance riding has roots in the early domestication of the horse, where horses were used for transportation. It became a formal sport in 1913 and is currently one of the seven international equestrian disciplines recognized by the FEI.

Developing the fitness and stamina necessary for an endurance event requires extreme dedication from the athletes and their equine companions. Athletes spend months to years preparing their horses for these events to reduce the risk of injury or exhaustion.

Find out more about the remarkable sport of endurance riding in this guide which covers the history, rules, equipment, and management of endurance horses.

What is Endurance Riding?

Endurance riding is a race against the clock, asking riders and horses to traverse long distances of natural terrain. ^[1] Most top-level races ask competitors to travel between 50 and 100 miles per day, a true test of the horse and rider’s stamina and perseverance. ^[1]

History

Endurance riding dates back to the domestication of the horse, when riders used horses to cross long distances as a mode of transportation. Cavalry units in the United States and Europe developed structured endurance training programs as part of their training. ^[1]

Horses in North America were also a crucial component of mail delivery systems, requiring long distance travel in the harshest weather conditions. ^[1]

Organized endurance riding as a sport developed in the United States in 1913. The Vermont Morgan Horse Club challenged the United States Army to an endurance test. ^[1] The two-day, 154-mile ride later inspired several other Army endurance rides in the Vermont area. ^[1]

By the 1950s, endurance rides were a popular event in several American states. ^[1] This interest in endurance riding led to the creation of the most notorious endurance riding event today: the Tevis Cup. ^[2]

Originally called the Western States Trail Ride, the Tevis Cup is a grueling endurance challenge asking horses to cover 100 miles in one day. ^[2] The first edition of this event in 1955 had only 5 participants, but has since grown to over 50 competitors annually. ^[2]

Endurance Sport Organizations

Several organizations regulate endurance riding at a local, regional, national, and international level. The main governing body for endurance riding is the Fédération Équestre Internationale, which oversees international equestrian sport.

FEI

The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) is the official governing body for all international horse sports. The FEI also organizes the Endurance World Championships, the highest level of international endurance sport.

Endurance is one of seven disciplines governed by the FEI at the international level. The other FEI disciplines include:

• Dressage
• Show jumping
• Eventing
• Combined driving
• Vaulting
• Para equestrian

National Organizations

In North America, Equestrian Canada (EC) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) regulate national endurance riding competitions.

Endurance Competitions

Endurance rides are a marathon for horses, run over a pre-measured trail. ^[3] The horse and rider that cross the finish line first win the race. ^[3] However, many riders participate similarly to human marathon runners, aiming to finish the race within the maximum time allowed without specifically intending to come in a particular place. ^[3]

Pre-Ride Examination

Rides begin with a pre-ride examination by the control judges, usually the day before the race. ^[3] Athletes present their horses to the judges in-hand with no tack. ^[3] The control judges examine each horse to ensure that they are in healthy condition to participate in the competition. ^[3]

Evaluations may include: ^[3]

• Lameness examination
• Checking body temperature
• Listening to the heart and lungs
• Assessing the horse’s hydration status
• Assessing for any injuries or sores

A briefing on the trail, rules, and timeline of the ride usually follows the pre-ride examinations. ^[3]

Control Checks

Along the endurance ride course, there are several control checks (also called vet gates) where veterinarians examine the health and fitness of the horses during the competition. ^[3]

Athletes must keep their horses in the control check area until their heart rate is below a designated maximum. ^[4] Many endurance rides use a maximum heart rate of 64 beats per minute. ^[4]

The time taken during the control checks counts towards the athlete’s overall time. ^[4] Therefore, many riders choose to walk their horses up to the control check, so they can lower their heart rate on the way, minimizing the amount of time spent in the control check area. ^[3]

After the heart rate evaluation, the horses undergo further veterinary evaluation, including: ^[4]

• Trotting to confirm soundness
• Respiratory rate
• Temperature
• Hydration status
• Evaluation for muscle pain or cramping
• Examination for wounds or injuries

Many events include Hold Time after each control check. During this period, horses and athletes have a mandatory rest period after they successfully pass the control check. ^[4] Hold Times are more than 30 minutes for race segments longer than 30 km. ^[4]

After the veterinary evaluation and Hold Time, riders continue on the endurance course until they reach the next control check or the end of the race. ^[3]

A final control check occurs at the end of the ride. ^[4] After this final control check, the rider with the fastest time wins the event. ^[4]

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Endurance Equipment

Athletes choose endurance equipment to maximize comfort for both the horse and rider over long distances. ^[3] Improperly fitting equipment can cause back pain, sores or rubs, or other injuries that riders want to avoid to maintain the health and soundness of their equine partner.

Horse Equipment

Any type of saddle is acceptable for endurance riding, however many endurance riders use saddles specifically designed for endurance riding. ^[3]

These saddles often look similar to traditional Western or English saddles but have additional design features that make them more comfortable for long distance riding for both the horse and athlete. ^[3] Treeless saddles have become popular with endurance riders, as they offer increased flexibility that may benefit the horse’s back. ^[3]

Regardless of the type chosen, saddle fit is critical to preventing saddle-related injuries. ^[3] Athletes must consider all aspects of saddle fit, including how the saddle performs in uphill and downhill terrain. ^[3] Most athletes work with a trained saddle fitter to ensure their saddle is comfortable for their horse. ^[3]

Some riders use breast collars and cruppers to help keep their saddle in position over varying terrain. ^[3] Breast collars or breastplates help prevent the saddle from sliding backwards during uphill movement, while cruppers prevent sliding forwards during downhill movement. ^[3]

Many endurance riders prefer to use bitless bridles, hackamores, or halters instead of a traditional bitted bridle. ^[3] This allows the horse to drink and eat easily on the trail, which can improve their comfort. ^[3] However, many types of bit and bridle designs are acceptable for use in endurance riding. ^[3]

Rider Attire

There are very few rider attire requirements for endurance compared to other equestrian sports. ^[4] Riders must wear protective headgear. ^[4]

Many endurance athletes prefer to ride in running shoes or other comfortable shoes that do not have a heel. ^[3] If these types of shoes are worn, the riders must use caged stirrups to prevent their foot from becoming stuck in the stirrup accidentally. ^[3]

Otherwise, the only requirements for dress are clean and tidy clothing, such as a shirt with a collar. ^[4] Most riders wear comfortable clothing that does not rub or irritate the skin, particularly in the areas contacting the saddle. ^[3] Layered clothing is preferable so that it is easily adjusted to changing weather conditions during the race. ^[3]

Endurance Horses

Endurance horses are among the fittest equine athletes, requiring extensive conditioning and management to maintain their health and soundness. Managing an endurance horse requires extreme dedication and time commitment.

Endurance Breeds

Almost all endurance horses are Arabians or have Arabian descent. ^[5] Historically, Arabians were bred for their stamina and endurance, to cover long distances in the Arabian Peninsula. Some modern Arabian bloodlines continue to select for ideal endurance riding candidates.

However, many other breeds can be competitive in endurance events. ^[3] The ideal endurance riding candidate has an efficient way of moving, good conformation to reduce the risk of soundness issues, and a drive to perform. ^[3]

Managing Endurance Horses

Due to the grueling nature of endurance riding, endurance athletes must prioritize their horse’s physical and mental health to ensure peak performance. Athletes often work with a team of qualified professionals to ensure their horse’s veterinary care, farriery, exercise program, and other management aspects are optimized for the horse’s individual needs.

Conditioning Programs

Endurance horses require extensive conditioning to ensure a successful competitive event. Conditioning makes up most of the endurance rider’s training program, as the horse’s stamina and fitness must develop slowly over time. ^[3] Although heart and muscle condition can improve quickly, developing tendon and ligament strength can take months to years. ^[3]

Most conditioning programs focus on training three to five days a week. ^[3] During conditioning sessions, athletes slowly increase the distance and pace of their rides. ^[3] This progressive training method slowly exposes the horse’s tissues to higher levels of stress, while allowing ample recovery time for the tissues to strengthen and repair any small injuries. ^[3]

When starting with a new endurance horse, endurance experts recommend around 90 days of “Long Slow Distance” work. ^[3] At the beginning of such a regimen, horses cover 2-3 miles at a comfortable walk. ^[3] By the end of the 90 days, horses cover around 15 miles at a working trot with occasional walk breaks. ^[3]

After the 90 days, athletes add in more strenuous exercise days no more than once per week. ^[3] This can include hill work, sandy terrain, galloping, or other more intense exercises. ^[3]

Continuous Assessment for Best Results

Many athletes monitor their horse’s heart rate during conditioning, to see how quickly the horse’s heart rate recovers after resting. ^[3] If a horse does not return to a heart rate of 70 or below within 10 minutes of rest, the pace is probably too fast for that horse’s current level of fitness. ^[3]

Riders must also improve their own fitness to cope with long hours in the saddle during competition. ^[3] They must also ensure that they are fit enough to maintain a good riding position that does not interfere with their horse for the duration of the race. ^[3]

Most horses are ready for a 25-mile competition after about 6 months of steady training. ^[3] Developing a horse for 100-mile races can take over two years to ensure they are thoroughly prepared for the event. ^[3]

Feeding Endurance Horses

Endurance horses have particularly high energy demands due to the intense nature of endurance competition. Ensuring that the horses receive enough energy and other nutrients within their daily diet is critical for optimum performance.

During competition, athletes must monitor their horses closely for signs of dehydration or electrolyte loss. ^[3] Horses lose large amounts of electrolytes in their sweat, which can predispose them to serious disorders such as tying up, thumps, or exhausted horse syndrome. ^[3]

Endurance riders often give their horses electrolyte pastes or supplements in their feed or water to replenish these critical minerals. ^[3]

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• Scientifically formulated
• Optimal electrolyte balance
• Supports exercise performance
• Promote workout recovery

The following sample feeding plan is a general guide for feeding an endurance horse. This version uses a mixed hay with 10% protein content, fed alongside beet pulp and w-3 oil. Added salt and electrolytes are provided as well as a vitamin and mineral supplement to meet all NRC nutrient requirements.

If you are working on endurance training with your horse, consider working with an equine nutritionist to ensure your hard-working equine is getting all the nutrition they need to perform at their best.

Example diet for an endurance horse weighing 500 kg (1,100 lb) in heavy exercise

Athletes often work with an equine nutritionist to develop a balanced, energy-dense diet for their endurance horses. Endurance horses draw most of their energy from fat, whereas other types of racing horses typically use sugars as their primary energy source. ^[3]

Therefore, designing an appropriate diet for an endurance horse requires specific knowledge about these horses’ unique nutritional needs.

Want to know if your endurance horse’s diet is missing anything? Submit your horse’s diet online for a free evaluation and consult with our expert equine nutritionists to develop the best feeding plan for your horse.