Global Endurance Blog

Last Blog

Friends and Customers of Global Endurance Training Center are used to reading our blogs on Typepad and networked blog service providers.  

Last week, Global Endurance Training Center changed its website format and host.  The new format has the Blog/News feature integrated in the website. Our readers can now follow our blogs on that site.

Within the next month, we will close down Typepad as our Blog provider.

We hope you enjoy our new website format and will continue to follow us by visiting our new website Blog.

Next week, we will tell you about fixing hoof cracks on our new website.

 

 

Sincerely

 

Your GETC Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sincerely

 

Your GETC Team

Join us!

City of Rocks! What a fantastic riding place close to the Utah/Idaho border. Ride among huge boulders that climbers from all over the world have been ascending for years. Steph Teeter is organizing a 4 day endurance extravaganza in this unique area. Be one of the first riders to experience this magnificent place. Check out the Teeters website at www.endurance.net

 

Global Endurance Training Center and EasyCare are partnering up with the Teeters and The Bootmeister will be conducting a free Hoof Care Clinic the day before the first ride day.

 

The Clinic commences at 2 pm on July 10th 2012 at the base camp. The Bootmeister will be demonstrating various hoof trimming methods, discussing bare hoof trims and Natural Hoof Care trims as well as evaluating hooves of your horses. He will be sharing experiences and demonstrating gluing techniques with Easyboot Glue ons. Other hoof protection methods will also be discussed and demonstrated.

 

 

In which country is this kind of hoof protection used?

 

Learn how to evaluate hooves and

 

 

how to glue on EasyCare shells successfully.

Vettec company is sponsoring the Wine and Cheese party that same evening after the clinic.

Vettec products  have been used successfully now for many years for protecting the soles of bare hoofed and shod horses and have been proven to glue successfully thousands of Glue on shoes.

 

Equiflex company is contributing prizes for raffle at the clinic and as ride awards. EasyCare is giving away boots for the participants of the clinic

 

The Equiflex shoe, suitable for gluing or nailing, your choice.

 

We can fit Hoof protection to all breed of horses. Above an Irish Cob displaying his newly fitted Easyboot Gloves.

 

Join us for this Clinic. It will be fun and you will learn somthing. Besides, it is FREE and you might win a prixe. And don't forget the Wine and Cheese Party afterwards. A total win/win situation for everyone. It does not get any better than this.

 

And the next day, ride the incredible trails of the City of Rocks. The trails are not rocky, as one might believe from the name,  you are just riding through magnificent huge boulder areas, arguably one of the most beautiful areas in Idaho.

 

See you there!

Christoph Schork , GETC

 

The UltrOZ

Tendon and suspensory injuries, muscle tear, muscle cramps, splints, bone chips, bruises, inflammations, the list for possible horse injuries seems endless sometimes.

Long rehab therapies are often required, many trips to the veterinarian for treatments. It can be all too frustrating.

At Global Endurance Training Center we have had experience with many different treatment methods and therapies. When we find a good product that gives us results and has been proven, we let you know on our website and through our blogs. If we are convinced of the benefit of any products, tack included, we include them in our on line store. Everything we offer there, we are using ourselves on our horses. These products have been tested by us and proven to be of benefit to horse owners and riders.

Most of us have heard of the healing effects of Ultrasound waves. Till now, these machines were expensive and only larger clinics had them available. With UltrOZ this has changed. Now every horse owner and trainer can treat their horses with their own Ultrasound machine.

The benefits of ultrasound lie in its interaction with cells and tissues. The affects of acoustic vibrations on the body were studied as early as the 6th century AD. Ultrasound gained widespread acceptance as a therapeutic treatment in the 1940's even though many people today only recognize ultrasound for imaging.  Ultrasound therapy has always been attractive because it is completely non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical.

 

Ultrasound therapy sends a compression wave into the body which exerts a physical force on the tissue, blood vessels, and bones.  This compression wave produces the well known benefit of deap heating, but it also increases circulation and flexibility in the area by pushing/pulling nutrients through the cellular structures.  This highly dynamic environment is perfect for helping areas recover after activity or heal after an injury

 

Ultrasound has traditionally been applied in short, high intensity bursts from large systems. However, current research indicates that low heat, long term ultrasound treatments provide an overall better therapy by fully saturating an area and creating a sustained environment for enhanced healing

Longer term treatments mean the increased blood flow and heat is maintained throughout long recovery periods.  The body gets more of the nutrients it needs directly where it needs them.

 

Developed by researchers at Cornell University, UltrOZ Elite makes an effective and well regarded therapy easy to use. No more active administration, no more large machines!

Attaching the device is quick and easy. Simply place the device near the injury using the specially engineered neoprene wraps and ultrasound gel. Turn the device on and therapy begins. Estimated preparation time is 5 minutes or less. Treatment times range 3 - 5 hours without any active supervision required.

Ultrasound therapy is scientifically proven to increase healing and provide pain relief. You cannot over-treat with UltrOZ and internal fail safes prevent thermal injury risk.  UltrOZ Elite is a safe, easy to use system for daily treatment of frustrating injuries.

 

After applying Ultrasound gel to the probe, turn it around and lay it onto the area to be treated. It is advisable to shave the hair off the area where you are placing the probe.

 

Apply the wrap and insert the transmitter into the pouch after turning it on.

 

Close the pouch and now you can turn your horse out. Batteries last 5 to 6 hours. Treatment should last at least one hour, often more is better.

If turning your horse out, you can secure the unit with additional vetrap.

Secured like this, you can actually even go for a ride while the UltraOZ is doing its job.

You can use the UltraOZ on all parts of the body. Using it on the hind quarters or shoulders, you can secure it with duct tape or some other tape. In that case, it is advised to keep the horse tied up for the duration, so it does not roll with the device attached.

 

We have been using UltraOZ now for several weeks on some of our horses with new and old tendon injuries, windpuffs and tight muscles. The results have been truly astonishing. Rehab time is shortened considerably. Within minutes of application, we do notice signs of tension release by the horses: chewing actions, licking lips, blinking the eye. We were impressed!

And the best thing: It is absolutely  safe for the horses. You cannot do any damage, even if you forget to take it off and the batteries run empty.

UltraOZ is now available for purchase through Global Endurance Training Center.

Call us or email us with any orders or questions. Here are a couple of links for you to watch to learn more about UltraOz applications.

http://youtu.be/FTxLJnKzLzg

 

And another excellent video with detailed demonstrations on how to apply the UltraOZ

 

http://youtu.be/itPa5Hn130k

 

 

 

The complete unit comes with the transmitter, the probe, a battery charger, 2 wraps, a bottle of ultrasound gel.

This whole system sells for $ 1295.00.  Available now at Global Endurance Training Center.

Through the month of May 2012, you will receive a FREE Sore No More Gelotion with each order.

 

Orders are being taken by calling 435 719 4033, by emailing us at: [email protected] or by ordering through our website.

Asymetry anyone?

"Do you know that your martingales are only on one side?"

 

On many endurance events, observant and  well meaning crew, fellow riders and spectators remind  the riders of Global Endurance Center of the fact that their running  martingales are  on one side of the reins.

Indeed, they are!

 

Nice symmetrical martingales, but is this arrangement always practical?

 

What are the reasons for this symmetry? Is it for looks or function?

Riding with symmetrical martingales certainly has it's place in the arena. But it does not give us any advantages on the trail, on endurance or conditioning rides.

When flexing and bending a horse, symmetrical martingales only allow a flexing of about 45 degrees on each side. After that angle is reached, the opposing martingale will inhibit any further bending by counteracting and preventing the outside of the neck to stretch any further. Just imagine, if you had a difficult horse, a run away or bolt. It would be very hard to bend or circle the horse enough to gain control.

Quite different is the situation with the one sided or asymmetrical martingales.

Now the rider can bend the horse equally and unrestricted on both sides.

 

 

One might wonder why we use martingales in the first place.

Martingales have been used in dressage and many other equestrian disciplines to encourage collection and also preventing sudden head tossing by the horses in training or when getting spooked.

 

Unrestricted bending laterally

 

Flexing at the poll

When using martingales, it is important to follow these two  rules:

-Always use rein stoppers. 

-The length of the martingale need to  be  the proper length: in line with the straight reins from the bit through the hand and elbow of the rider.

 

If used without rein stoppers, the metal rings can easily catch on the rings of the rein clips, thus creating havoc for the horse and possibly flipping the horse backwards.

Martingales that are too long do not serve any purpose. If they are too short, the reins will get bend downwards, impeding the communication between the horse's mouth (bit) and the rider. Furthermore, it can over-flex the poll, hindering proper breathing and compromising performance.

Here, the martingale is too short, causing a kink in the reins, thus interrupting the direct line of communication. Hands, elbow and shoulders are in great position otherwise.

Straight line from bit through hands, elbow and shoulders (there can be a small bend at the elbow, depending on the situation)

Nice hand and elbow position on this rider

 

 

During endurance rides, you may want to  switch the sides of the running martingale. Half of  the riding time,  place both rings on the left side, the other half on the right side.

If you want to condition one side of the horse more than the other, then  select the side accordingly. Let's say that you train a horse that is left side dominant but you want to strengthen and build up the right side.  Placing the rings of the martingale on the left side of the reins  will make it easier to shorten that side, lengthen the right side of the neck and shoulder and encourages the horse to take the right lead.

 

At Global Endurance Training Center  we found the use of running martingale very beneficial for most horses, especially during training and conditioning rides. Applied and used properly, it is a very useful tool.

 

Christoph Schork

from GETC

 

 

Teeth and Hooves

What do they have in common?

 

 

 

At first sight, teeth and hooves of horses seem to be as unrelated as it gets. Comparing them anatomically, could it be that there are, however, common elements?

 

                                              Hooves                                                                      Teeth

 

Growth period                lifelong                                                                      lifelong

 

Speed:                                5 - 8 mm a month                                                 2 -3 mm a year

 

Trimming:                       2 - 8 weeks                                                               6 - 12 month

Material:                           hard outside/soft inside                                    hard outside, soft inside

                                              Hoof wall/sole                                                       Enamel/dentin                                                    

 

Growth:                             from the inside outwards/                               from the inside outwards/

                                              out of integument and corium                       out of the pulp

 

Functional

comparison:                    toes                                                                              incisors

                                              quarters and heels                                                 molars

                                              frog                                                                              tongue

                                              sole                                                                              lower jaw

 

 

 

Neglected molars  (compare to high heels and lateral flares in hooves)

 

It is getting interesting, when comparing teeth pathology with hoof pathology.

On this 16 year old gelding, we are observing a left descending 'smile' and misalignment with upper and lower jaw.

 

Photo below shows the effects on the posture of this horse:

the head is carried higher on the left side, left shoulder is elevated, slight flex to the right, front left leg turned out.

Right front is bearing weight on the M/L plane evenly, while the left hoof is loaded on the medial heel, resulting in possibly crushed heels and a lateral flare.

 

Even small changes in the angles and occlusions of the teeth influencing the jaw, the whole skeleton, tendons, ligaments and muscles of the horse.

 

Hoof care might as well start with proper teeth care. So many anatomical parts of the horse are interrelated and when we are solely looking at the hooves, we might just manage the same problem everytime without ever getting to the cause and root of the problem.

Regular dental check ups are vital not only for the horses health and digestion, but also for the soundness and proper hoof balance and growth.

 

This coming year, Global Endurance Training Center will be conducting more studies and comparing teeth pathologies  with hoof pathologies and development. We are also very curious if we can find any connection between teeth abnormalities and club feet, teeth and scelletal and muscle changes. We will keep you posted on our findings.

 

Christoph Schork

www.globalendurance.com

 

The Staff at GETC wishes all our readers a Merry Christmas and successful New Year filled with  fun and happiness with all your horses and other animals.

Christoph Schork and Dian Woodward

 

 

 

 

Sensational !!

Global Endurance Training Center is proud to announce that as of last month, we are distributors of the Sensation Treeless Saddles.

 

Christoph riding a Sensation Westlish saddle on his mare, Stars Aflame, at the National 100 Mile AERC Championship to a First Place Win and receiving the BC Award.

With so many treeless saddles on the market now, why did we choose to add the the Sensation Saddle line to our inventory?

You can count on the quality. Sensations are designed in Canada, and made in Canada. The materials are primarily North American, and all the leather comes from Canada or the USA. All saddles are made with quality leather designed to last you thousands of miles of comfort.

The quality of the workmanship, the stitching seen here, is superb.

Your Horse, of Course. Sensations are the only treeless saddle design to utilize a multi-point stirrup attachment. This means better weight distribution for your horse, particularly important when you’re riding long and hard. When your Sensation saddle is set up in the hard use or endurance attachments, you can count on having an even better weight distribution than a treed saddle. Taking the tree out of a saddle doesn’t make it a treeless saddle – thoughtful engineering and a redesigned weight distribution system allows it to be a true treeless saddle, and not just a bareback pad with stirrups.

 

The stirrups can get hung precicly where you want them, you can adjust them to your personal needs and alignment.

 

Here the G4 stirrup adjustment. You may use any of the three billets as stirrup hanger, the other two will serve for the girth.

Choices, Choices, Choices. Break traditions! Each Sensation Saddle is custom  made to suit your needs. Who says you can only ride in black and brown saddles? Who says you have to ride English or Western? You can choose the components you like best and combine them to create your perfect saddle. Be flashy, go with Hot Pink if that’s what you like. Every horse and rider is different and Sensation offers a wide variety of options in Leather, Seat Size, Flap shape, cantle and pommel sizes, rigging adjustments, etc. We want to ensure you have the best saddle to suit YOUR needs, and almost anything is possible. 

Here the Sensation Westlish Rebel saddle on Baloo Bit O Honey,  customized red seat and knee rolls. The leather is so soft, that Christoph is able to ride 50 miles in shorts on it without getting any rubbing on his legs.

The Sensation Harmony Element saddly, with customized fleece seat.

Complete Comfort and connection. The Sensation Ride saddles have been ergonomically designed to permit the rider a close contact, balanced (yet customizable) seat using medical grade foams, high grade custom felts, wool and leather.  These same materials allow air flow through the saddle's layers; breathability is important to the comfort of you and your horse, and we believe that neoprene and rubbers just don't perform in a way that permits exhaustion of heat and moisture.  The Sensation saddles will mould to you and your horse. No hard parts in our saddles! The saddle will form fit to you like a fine new leather shoe.

G4 Westlish Rebel Sensation saddle fits horse and rider: riding in synergy. (Christoph on Stars Aflame)

Uphill during the championship race

 

Did you know that..

Sensation Ride saddles have the best weight distribution system in the treeless saddle world? This is important for keeping the rider's weight from being concentrated over a small area at any time during the rider's position.

Sensation Ride saddle owners are using their saddles for: Assisted riding therapy, endurance, dressage, back country treks, jumping, hunting, competitive trail, gaited riding, starting youngsters, reining, gymkhana & more!

 

The Sensation G4 Western Sport Trail saddle. All Sensation saddles are equipped with the pommel strap for easy one hand carrying. Useful as well for attaching essential gear. Or mayby holding onto occasionally when riding a bronc.

The same model mounted on Stars Aflame

 

Global Endurance Training Center has now the following Sensation saddles in stock:

 

15.5 inch G3 Hybrid

16 inch G4 Western Trail, displayed here with HAF pad

Both saddles are available right now. For a complete saddle line up and for ordering and customizing your Sensation saddle, contact us at Global Endurance Training Center:

Tel 435 719 4033  or

Email: [email protected].

 

On average, it will take about 6 weeks after ordering your saddle before you can ride and enjoy it.

 

Global Endurance Center also distributes Freeform saddles and Specialized saddles. Specialized saddles are treed saddles that can get fine tuned to the horses back through a system of foam wedges. More info available through our website as well.

GETC offers this variety of saddles, treeless and with tree, to cover any saddle needs you might have, so you and your horse can ride in total comfort.

We provide ongoing consultation and advice to find the right saddle for you and your horse.

 

 

Enjoy the Ride!

Working together

Moab, a resort town in southeastern Utah is well known worldwide for its National Parks, (Arches and Canyonlands), the stunning red rock sand stone formations with natural bridges and arches, its famous white water on the Colorado, like Cataract Canyon and Westwater, the classical western movies filmed here in the 50ies and 60ies and lately for the vast trail system of mountain bike trails. The famous slick rock trail is known among mountain bikers everywhere. No other state has more public trails than the state of Utah and a very large amount of these public trails are within the greater Moab area.

Photo credit: Patitucci Photo

Professor Valley, Moab.

Moab got its name from the ancient land east of the Dead Sea. Nowadays within the state of Jordan. This area also displays red sand stone rock formations, canyons and deserts.







Global Endurance Training Center  opened this training facility in this area not only because of its stunning scenery, but also because of that vast trail system, ideal for conditionning endurance horses.

Trails are ever diminishing in the USA. Therefore AERC has an active trails committee, trails advocate are working hard to keep equestrian trails open. But horse people are not an island. Trails users of all kind need to work together to keep trails open and create new ones for hikers, runners, bikers, horse riders and, yes, for motorized travelers as well. Trails get closed for motor bikes first, then mountain bikes, then horses, then foot travel. We all loose. Don't kidd yourself, a trail closed for motorbikes is a loss for the horse riders as well.

Endurance riders/racers in particular, need more trails than many other trail users. We do have the most at stake. At Global Endurance Center we see the dangers and we are doing everything we can to work on trail issues locally.

 

 

The trails within the Moab area attract many people with a multitude of transportation means and tools. Where there are multi use trails, there are inevitably conflicts.

Being proactive, the county community created a unique Committee, Trail Mix, a group of interested trail users and advocates, who meets monthly to discuss trail usage, maintenance, problems, new trail proposals. This group consists of trail advocates for:

-Hikers/runners

-Skiers

-Mountain bikers

-Road bikers

-Equestrians, endurance riders and Backcountry Horsemen

Representatives of BLM, National Forest Service, National Park Service and Motorized Trail Users are joining these meetings to work together for the benefit of trails and trail users.

 

Example of a motorized trail user.

Global Endurance Training Center has for many years supported Trail Mix and Christoph is a committee member representing all equestrian activities.

TrailMix of Grand County, Utah, could be a model  for the national trail problems we are encountering across the country. Here in Grand County, we are not only keeping trails open, we are constantly planning new trails,opening new trails, mapping  and maintaining them. Every year, we are increasing the vast network of trails. Equestrians alone could not do it, only the joint effort of all trail users is getting these results.

 

Here is just one example of maps, here for mountain bikers and motorized travel:

 

The key is to work together, to learn and understand each others desires and needs. Because of TrailMix, all trail users work together in harmony and respect each other on the trails.

At GETC, we ride and train horses every day of the week. We cover hundreds of miles on our horses. I cannot even remember the last time we had a trail conflict with a biker or motorbike, it just doesn't happen anymore.

 

 

Happy trail users: Dian and Starlit Way

 

Trail conflicts do not need to happen. We are all in the same boat: diminishing trails everywhere.

Let's work together to stop that and create more trails. TrailMix can be a national example for cooperation.

 

  

Contact us if you want more info on TrailMix or trail cooperation.

 

[email protected]

 

 

Upcoming Hoof Care Clinic in Idaho

Global Endurance Training Center is inviting for a special seminar on May 25th 2011. 

 

 

A one day hoof care clinic will be organized and conducted by the staff of GETC. This clinic is scheduled to be in timely proximity to the upcoming Fandango 3 day ride in Oreana, Idaho. Interested riders and hoof trimmers can thus attend both events in one trip. Details and sign up forms  at Download Global Endurance Training Center presents

 

This clinic will cover in detail the anatomy of the horses lower limbs and will discuss various hoof trimming techniques.

 

Conformation and hoof growth - how do they relate to each other?

The following weekend, attend the Owyhee Fandango 3 day Pioneer ride, organized and managed by Steph Teeter. The Fandango ride has been a long time favorite among riders not only of the USA and Canada, but also from South America and Europe.  This year again, there will be a 3 day Pioneer ride as well as a 80 and 100 mile ride.

 Thursday morning, one day before the ride and one day after the Eagle Hoof Care clinic, starting at 9am, a demonstration of EasyCare hoofboot  and a Equiflex horseshoe application will be conducted by Christoph Schork from GETC.

 Christoph and Huf coach clinic participants in Germany last March, displaying freshly glued EasyCare boots.

Furthermore, Friday and Saturday, from 4 pm to 5 pm, Christoph Schork and Dian Woodward will be available to answer specific questions from hoof trimmers and riders during this free Q&A hour.

 Friday evening Vettec, Inc with Vettec Hoof Care Products will sponsor a wine and cheese party at the Fandango base camp. All riders and participants of the clinics are invited.

A long weekend, filled with educational and riding opportunities, where the fun and learning part stands in the foreground. Join us for a memorable experience.

 

 

For further info and sign up, contact GETC at [email protected]

Endurance/Hoof Care Clinic in Canada

During the Easter weekend,  Christoph Schork from Global Endurance Training Center travelled to Kelowna, Canada on invitation of the Endurance Riders Association of British Columbia, to conduct a combo endurance/hoofcare seminar. The clinic was very well attended with over 40 riders and Christoph provided two full days of instruction. The first day was spent indoors and covered topics of training and conditioning endurance horses, cross training, nutrition, electrolyte supplementation and horse anatomy with emphasis on lower legs and hooves.

 

During the indoor PP presentation, Christoph explains the benefits of cross training.

 

The second day was almost entirely spent outdoors. The weather was just beautiful during this Easter weekend.  The regional TV station came to film the event.

 

Below, Michael Peterson, DVM, explains the procedure of a vet check to the film crew.

 

 

Christoph continued with explaining and demonstrating various hoof trimming techniques.

 

This was followed by discussion and a demonstration on gluing hoofboots. Dana Johnson provided one of her horses for this demonstration.

 

Four new Easyboot Glue ons on this horse.

 

The day concluded with a saddle fitting session. During this segment, Dana Johnsen from Nickers Saddlery, LTD contributed her knowledge to this part of a very successful clinic.

 

A big THANK YOU goes out to Katrin Leverman and Cory Anthony, who did an outstanding job organizing this event. They promised to continue next year with more educational clinics.  I certainly would be delighted to go back to this great group of endurance riders.

Cory Anthony, by the way, will enter his first endurance ride ever at the upcoming Rock Creek 50 middle of may. 6 months ago he had not even ridden a horse and weight in at 280lbs.  After loosing over 70 lbs so far and training and riding every day, he feels he is ready. 

We all wish him a great and successful ride. Way to go, Anthony. Watch him on Youtube.

Tips and Tricks: Teaching tailing

 

Mountain rides are mostly fun rides for horse and rider. Horses can use their muscles in various ways and perform therefore overall better than on rides that are only over flat ground. Riding steep uphills certainly require a higher energy output and horses tire faster on sustained uphills. The rider can help his horse a lot by dismounting and walking or running with the horse. 

At the Global Endurance Training Center we teach tailing in our endurance clinics. Tailing helps horses to conserve energy and helps the rider to stay in shape. So everybody wins!

When you tail, you are pulling on a horse with about 10 to 15 lbs. That small amount of pull allows the runner to double the cadence of the footfall. You will run twice as fast compared to running next to your horse without tailing. For the horse, the difference between carrying the weight of the rider and a little pull on the tail is huge in energy conservation. 

Now, where do you start?

First, you need a rope with a clip on one end and a loop on the other. The rope can be a 5 mm climbing rope and should be the length of your horse with extended tail. The clip goes to the ring on your halter. If the lead line is too long, it might tangle between the front legs of your horse. 

 

Clip onto the headstall ring.

 

While riding, you can hook the lead line with a carabiner onto the saddle to get it out of the way.

Blue arrow shows the loop at the other end of the lead line, the green arrow points points to a ring you can add to the middle of  your lead line so you can shorten it while riding. Ride and Tie people often use that set up.

 

There are some horses, that get the idea of tailing right away. You grab their tail, they turn the head, contemplate for a couple seconds and off they go. Others require a little more training. 

First, at home, grab and pull on your horses tail as often as possible. Then it won't be a surprise to them when you actually start tailing. Pulling on horses tails also helps them to stretch their backs and align their spine. Most horses enjoy this. After some preparatory tail pulling,  we go for our first actual training, tailing  on the trail.

A horse new to tailing is best trained with a rider on the back. The rider keeps the horse going forward, the runner just grabs the tail.

Here is a little video clip on how this works:

 

Download MVI_1902

 

Another possibility: have a rider pony your horse while tailing. That way the horse won't be able to turn around on you and is learning to go straight ahead. It is important for the horse to understand to keep on trucking, as soon as you grab onto the tail.

 

 

Here an action clip of that method: 

Download MVI_1904

 

Keep in mind that these methods are for teaching and training only. You may not use this tecnique during an actual endurance ride, it is against the rules to  have another rider hold onto your horse while you tail or you tailing off another riders horse.

A few key points to remember:

 

1. Never tail without a leadline. Horses can accelerate quickly, you might stumble and fall and your horse is gone. If you have a very strong horse that is hard to check, you can hook your leadline to the bit or the reins.

2. Make sure you can see the trail on the side of the horse to minimize your own stumbling.

3. Keep your tailing arm fairly straight, it conserves your energy. You can  slightly lean backwards.

4. Loop the tail around your hand, that way you use your upper arm instead of your lower arm. Most of us, unless we are rock climbers, have more strength in biceps and triceps than in the  lower arm.

Take note of the looped tail, the straight arms and the leaning back.

Close up shot of hand positionning.

Often heard question: Do horses kick while tailing?

I have tailed on probably over a hundred different horses, with proper preparation, none ever tried to kick me. That doesn't mean it cannot happen. Always watch the horses ears and body language. If in doubt, let go of the tail and turn your horse towards you with the leadline. Then practice more at home by grabbing and pulling on their tails.

While tailing during a race or ride, initially it helps your horse if another horse is leading the way. Have another rider go ahead of you up the hill, your horse will have more motivation to follow.

Happy Tailing!!

Christoph