The last ride I did, I wore a heart-rate monitor to see how many calories I burned during that 25 miles. I burned 1,000 calories on my horse that day. I am in good shape, and that is a very serious workout. To give an example, I burn 1,000 calories by running 10 miles (on my own legs and feet). So you can see that an endurance ride is not for the weak body.
Preparing your body for the race should include a lot of riding. However, in addition to that, you should stay healthy. Walk, stretch and do physical activity as much as possible. The stronger you are, the better rider you are, especially when you become fatigued, and I guarantee you, that after two hours of trotting and in a saddle, you will become fatigued. Your body and muscles are tired, and you are only partially finished. Your riding will get sloppy and that will affect your horses ability to perform. Let me put it this way, if you are on you horse bouncing around at a fast trot, your horses back will become sore, his balance will be off, and you are both at higher risk for injury. So be sure to prepare for this. It isn't called an "endurance" ride because its short and comfy!
Some exercises you can do to increase your strength and flexibility include:
Squats: This will help you to post, rather than three point (standing up, which is bad for the horses back in long distances)
Bicycling: This will also build your quads and help with strength needed to stay put.
Planks: Lay on the ground in push up position, but drop to your elbows. Try to hold it for a minute. If you need to start on your knees and elbows, that is fine, just work up to elbows and toes. Work your core. The stronger your core is, the quicker you can respond to spooks and abrupt movements of your horse that might other wise have put you on the ground. Once you do this in push up position, turn to each side to work your obliques.
Leg Lifts: Lay on the ground (back down), put your hands under your rear, and lift those legs slowly and drop them back down slowly, try to get to 25 of them.
Push-ups: I know that these aren't the most fun, but, if you can do 10 or 20, you can build your back, shoulders and chest muscles, all of these are needed to be a stronger rider.
A good short workout plan including these exercises, and a bit of cardio can really improve your riding and your overall health. We often become so wrapped up in our horses well-being and conditioning, that sometimes we forget our own.
Preparing your body for the race should include a lot of riding. However, in addition to that, you should stay healthy. Walk, stretch and do physical activity as much as possible. The stronger you are, the better rider you are, especially when you become fatigued, and I guarantee you, that after two hours of trotting and in a saddle, you will become fatigued. Your body and muscles are tired, and you are only partially finished. Your riding will get sloppy and that will affect your horses ability to perform. Let me put it this way, if you are on you horse bouncing around at a fast trot, your horses back will become sore, his balance will be off, and you are both at higher risk for injury. So be sure to prepare for this. It isn't called an "endurance" ride because its short and comfy!
Some exercises you can do to increase your strength and flexibility include:
Squats: This will help you to post, rather than three point (standing up, which is bad for the horses back in long distances)
Bicycling: This will also build your quads and help with strength needed to stay put.
Planks: Lay on the ground in push up position, but drop to your elbows. Try to hold it for a minute. If you need to start on your knees and elbows, that is fine, just work up to elbows and toes. Work your core. The stronger your core is, the quicker you can respond to spooks and abrupt movements of your horse that might other wise have put you on the ground. Once you do this in push up position, turn to each side to work your obliques.
Leg Lifts: Lay on the ground (back down), put your hands under your rear, and lift those legs slowly and drop them back down slowly, try to get to 25 of them.
Push-ups: I know that these aren't the most fun, but, if you can do 10 or 20, you can build your back, shoulders and chest muscles, all of these are needed to be a stronger rider.
A good short workout plan including these exercises, and a bit of cardio can really improve your riding and your overall health. We often become so wrapped up in our horses well-being and conditioning, that sometimes we forget our own.
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