5 Ways to Make Better Time on the Endurance Trail

Before you say it…I know. You’re not racing. So, why would you want to make better time on the endurance trail?

If you’re angling to top ten, the value of finishing an endurance ride more quickly is obvious. But as I frequently explain to non-horsey types, endurance riding is like human marathoning: A few are racing to place, but most are just in it to enjoy the challenge and complete the event.

So, why would a non-competitive rider be interested?

Why Make Better Time if You Aren't Racing?

A couple reasons, actually!

For one thing, it could be better for your horse. As my mentor explained to me years ago, sometimes going slow is actually harder on the horse than moving along at a brisker pace.

Why? Well, because going slow means the horse is out there on the trail longer…exposed to the weather, sweating, losing hydration, and not eating much.

This is especially problematic for multi-days, when the horse could benefit more from a longer rest between rides than from taking the miles very slowly and getting less time to recover, refuel, and rehydrate in-between.

As an athlete myself, I can attest that a moderate 2-hour trail run often feels easier than a 4-hour slog. You just get tired of being on your feet instead of resting, even if you’re not going very fast.

And besides…riding fast (as a prepared rider on a prepared horse) is ripping good fun!

So, let’s take a look at five ways to make better time on the endurance trail. While none of these strategies are appropriate for every horse in every situation, they’re all good tools to have in your toolkit.

1. Be Efficient in the Vet Check

It’s really easy to lose 10, 15, or even 30 minutes off a ride just by wasting time in the vet check…and it’s not always lost at the end of the hold!

You can speed your entry into the hold by:

- Knowing how quickly your horse pulses down, so you don’t walk in longer than necessary. Using a heart rate monitor during conditioning, if not during the ride itself, will get you familiar with your horse’s normal recoveries.

- Being prepared for action when you arrive. Have your gloves off and your ride card out. If possible, know the lay of the land so you can head straight to the water, sponge bucket, or pulse box as appropriate.

To ensure you leave on time:

- Have a checklist prepared ahead of time to remind you to switch jackets, refill your water bottles, get more electrolyte syringes, etc. That way, you won’t be jogging back to your trailer at the last minute for a forgotten item.

- Set a 7-minute warning timer. When it goes off, you know it’s time to get your horse’s bridle back on and head toward the out-timer.

2. Canter on the Trail

Many endurance riders never let their horses bust out of a trot. This usually seems to stem from lack of confidence in…something:

- The horse’s fitness (I don’t want him working too hard!)

- The horse’s training (I don’t want him to run away with me!)

- The rider’s fitness (I get tired riding the canter!)

- The rider’s training (I can’t sit the canter very well!)

The nice thing about all these factors is that they can be worked on ahead of time. I wouldn’t go out and canter my horse during an endurance ride if I hadn’t done a lot of it in conditioning and knew what pace we could go without pushing up against his anaerobic threshold. Practicing a nice, round canter can build this into a very efficient gait (for some horses more than others) that offers a nice break from the repetitive muscle use of trotting mile after mile.

As for the other mental and physical limitations, they too, respond to practice! If you need to, find an instructor to help you learn to follow that down-and-forward, up-and-back motion that is scary early on and exhilarating once you get it.

And, work on your core strength! That will also come in handy when you…

3. Trot Downhill

I know, I know. This is a bit controversial. Your horse only has so many downhill miles in him, and all that. But, done well and used judiciously – not overused! – downhill trotting can really help your horse eat up some trail miles while easing his cardiovascular effort.

I like to trot down gradual to moderate hills with good footing (not slick, rocky, rutted, or packed solid), with my horse lightly collected. He should be traveling in an organized, controlled fashion with his head low and hindquarters engaged.

Of course, he can only do that if I stay out of his way. This means having the confidence to ride downhill without leaning back, stiffening up, and bracing in the stirrups. I need to have a neutral pelvis and (as Peggy Cummings describes it) “Michael Jackson” hips so my horse can move correctly beneath me.

Just yesterday, I was doing a fast conditioning ride featuring a few miles each of downhill trotting and cantering. It’s an ab workout, folks! Those stabilizing core muscles are critical not just for riding far, but for riding fast. You just can’t do it without them!

If you need a boost in core strength, grab this free coaching video. It explains how to correctly perform one of the best exercises for rider core stability. Bird Dogs are almost always done wrong, but I’ll show you how the get the benefits.

4. Run Downhill

Speaking of making time on the downhill, how about dismounting and running down beside your trotting horse? This puts less strain on your horse’s legs, speeds your pace, and gives your body a break from riding – all at the same time.

I’ve lost count of the number of teams I’ve passed over the years by running downhill while they are astride, walking. This works best on long hills, of course, due to the seconds spent dismounting, rearranging your reins, and mounting again.

Sound intimidating? Just as your horse can learn to balance himself on hills, you can learn to use your own body safely and efficiently while running. Yes, even downhill on trails.

5. Be Able to Mount Quickly from the Ground

Nothing will slow you down on the trail like having to hunt for a stump or ditch so you can get back on your horse. Ideally, you should be able to swing up in a hurry, while your horse moves around, because sometimes that’s just the reality of the situation.

Of course, mounting from the ground takes a certain amount of strength and hip mobility – both of which tend to fizzle with age. The good news is that most people can make significant progress through consistently practicing the right exercises.

If you’re not sure how to go about that, my Essential Endurance Rider Fitness program has you covered. Our membership is full of distance riders who are doing this very thing!

Whether you’re riding competitively or just wanting to complete with a happy horse by happy hour, play around with these five strategies! Plan ahead, practice during conditioning, and you’ll be all set to make better time on the endurance trail.