Preparing Yourself for a Long Ride
We all know that we have to build up the horse for a long ride, but we often forget that we have to work on ourselves as well. If we are tired, hungry, and overwhelmed, we can’t be a good partner for our horse—which should always be our first priority. Even though we can’t avoid bad days, we can prepare for them. You must be honest with yourself about your limitations and train yourself to overcome them.
Training the Body
You must be prepared to walk as much as one-third of the journey. To preserve a horse over a longer ride, it is advisable to dismount for almost all technical sections of the trail, particularly downhill. We strongly feel that we should be able to walk the same distance and elevation we ask of our horses when on the road. We suggest walking no less than 20,000 steps per day for two weeks—preferably a month—before beginning your ride.
Tip: Use the shoes you plan to wear on the adventure.
When you are on the horse, you will need balance and strength. You cannot hang off the horse like a sack of potatoes just because you are on a long ride. You will build up your strength as you build up your horse, but we recommend working out as well. There are many ways; for example, Pete likes to get all the physical stuff around the farm done, and I, on the other hand, jump on the yoga mat.
Training the Mind
I don’t know about you, but when I am hungry, I can get in a bad mood, which is not great for the rest of the team. The same happens when I get cold. Even though both of these aspects have to do with the body, they are more connected with my mental state. You must be able to put all your discomfort aside and provide leadership—but also compassion—in what becomes a 24-hour partnership with your horse. Empathy and honesty are key themes for successful horseback travel.
Little things we do before a ride, such as intermittent fasting, really help me realize that even when the feeling of hunger sets in, I can manage without eating, and the feeling will eventually go away. Another thing is cold showers, which are a great way to get out of your comfort zone—and that’s what it’s all about. The ride is not always going to be comfortable, and the better you can deal with it, the better your ride will be. So challenge yourself!
Knowing Your Horse
Our horses put up with a lot, but that shouldn’t mean they have to. Learning to see when something is wrong is essential for your travels. Take the time before you head off to watch your horse carefully and get familiar with the basic vitals of your horse.
Let’s start with generic numbers, but it’s best if you know the exact data for your horse:
Resting heart rate: 20–40 beats per minute. This can be checked by feeling the pulse or using a heart monitor.
Respiration rate: 8–16 breaths per minute. Watch your horse’s rib cage to count how many breaths he takes in one minute.
Temperature: 37.5–38.2°C. Use a thermometer to check.
Besides the numbers, we think you should study your horse carefully and learn to see when your horse is tired or how he behaves when he is hungry. Learn to see how the face of your horse changes when it’s stressed and how his whole body looks in a relaxed state of mind. On the road, that will help you see when your horse needs a rest day, when you should get off your horse and help him through a stressful situation, or simply know when to take a little break for a snack. The horse will also need some time to adapt to its new life on the road, so don’t worry too much if he is a little more stressed or doesn’t lie down to get a good rest. Check your numbers regularly and observe whether he can manage the task.
Medical Aspects Before Long Riding
It depends a little on how long your adventure is going to be, but if you are planning to go out for months at a time, we strongly recommend getting a health check and blood test at your doctor’s—and also visiting your dentist before departure. Following the motto “better safe than sorry,” we also advise getting some basic medical training in the form of a first aid course—for both humans and horses.
End Note
Be honest with yourself, set goals you can achieve, and think of your horse and its needs. If you are not up to the task ahead, take the time to get yourself in a position where you are capable. There is no easy way, and you will face hardship, so keep in mind that life on horseback is not just scenery and sunsets. Prepare yourself and your horse correctly (you can find the article “Preparing Your Horse for a Long Ride” here). Be empathetic, be caring, and be honest.
Happy trails.
