The best riders never stop learning. Not all of these top books are about equestrian endurance riding, but they should should be in every endurance rider’s library. One of them should even be in your horse trailer.
Top Books About Equestrian Endurance Riding
Go the Distance: The Complete Resource for Endurance Horses by Nancy S. Loving, DVM
This book was my bible as I got started in the sport, and I still refer to it regularly. Written by a veterinarian and experienced endurance rider, it covers all the basics: endurance horse selection, conditioning, nutrition, metabolic health, cooling strategies, hoof care, common mistakes, and more.
Though originally published in 1997, it is extremely well written and the content holds up (even if the riders’ fashion in the photos doesn’t). The price of used copies varies a lot. If it’s a little hard to swallow, check back with Amazon from time to time. I think you’ll find it worth the cash.
America’s Long Distance Challenge II: New Century, New Trails, and More Miles by Karen Bumgarner
This is another comprehensive book about preparing for and competing in equestrian endurance rides. The author’s endurance career began before AERC’s current record book, which starts in 1985, and is closing in on 30,000 miles. I am eternally grateful to have had her as my mentor and can certainly vouch for her expertise. But don’t take my word for it. As of this writing, Bumgarner’s AERC record shows 381 endurance rides (including 42 hundred-milers) with only 13 pulls. That’s someone whose advice is worth reading.
Top Books About Equine Veterinary Care
EMERGENCY! The Active Horseman’s Book of Emergency Care by Karen Hayes, DVM
This unique book is designed to guide you through helping your horse in a medical emergency when no vet is available. The author provides brisk, precise instructions for how to respond to a colic, founder, laceration, heat exhaustion, choke, eye injuries, sudden lameness, and more while you work on locating a professional.
I have two copies, and one of them lives in my trailer for reference when I’m far from veterinary help. Sadly, EMERGENCY! is hard to find new, but you can still pick up a used hardback for a song.
All Horse Systems Go: The Horse Owner’s Full-Color Veterinary Care and Conditioning Resource for Modern Performance, Sport and Pleasure Horses by Nancy S. Loving, DVM
Note the author on this one. She’s the same, endurance-riding veterinarian who wrote Go the Distance. This book focuses on a wide spectrum of veterinary information, presented for the lay person, with an eye to the kinds of issues that matter most to distance competitors. The electronic copy is affordable, but I’d encourage you to track down a hard copy if you can, because the photos are key. They pop up on Amazon sometimes. I managed to get one on eBay for about $60. It’s worth it for photos and easy reference.
Top Book About Equine Psychology
This book offers a fabulous treatment of equine psychology. The author covers everything from how the horse’s sensory organs function to why our equine partners behave as they do. My favorite section, “Horses and People,” begins with a discussion of how horses perceive training.
It’s dense reading, but highly applicable to the ways we interact with our horses every day. Next time stormy weather keeps you out of the saddle, curl up for some quality time with The Horse’s Mind.
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