The Benefits of Rest

For the last 30 days +/- most of us have been running around more than usual. There was the decorating and the cooking, and whether you were hosting the festivities or attending them, there was quite a bit of extra energy used. Then there was the perfect gift purchasing followed by returning perfect gifts received.

The end of the year was celebrated with more festivity and maybe you stayed up later than usual expending more energy and consuming more party type foods and drinks.

Lets face it, it's been hectic.

Now come January 1 we are exhausted. We have done all of this extra activity which required more than usual energy and eating unusual foods. Our bodies are screaming that we NEED some rest.

Hopefully you were able to take the opportunity to rest and restore on January 1.

In that same sense of thinking, let's discuss our endurance horses. For the last __________ days/months/years we have been asking them to expel extra energy, consume unusual forages, and go, go, go. No matter  if you are a Top 10 racer, middle of the pack rider or a turtle, we have asked our horses to go the extra distance.

And they too NEED THE REST.

Like us, each horse is an individual. While some horses seem to thrive on all of the excitement of repeated competitions, others may eventually begin to wilt. Some signs that they need a rest could be lack of appetite, lack of competitiveness, even a bit cranky. Instead of not caring about the saddle about to be placed on his back, he now throws his ears back or moves away. Maybe he has lost some weight or the glint in his eye.

I truly believe REST is BENEFICIAL.

I own and ride a horse that does much better at rides when he has been rested well. Miles are miles and whether competing or training, they add up. Trust me, Farley gets cranky when over worked. When he says he is tired he usually says it by spooking at grass and ant piles. Ok buddy, I hear ya! Time to take a breather.

There have been many, many articles and books written about how to create a great endurance horse. Paragraphs abound with such things as pacing and feed practices, negative splits and electrolytes.

It is my opinion that not enough value is placed on the benefits of REST.

When we first start out in this sport we want to try to win or at least Top 10. We want others to see that our horse has what it takes to be a real contender. We want people to know we have read the articles and that we are "trotting the trot".

It is for the newcomers that I stress...LESS IS MORE and for the rest of us, a friendly reminder.

How many times have you been to a ride where Billy Bob had not rode Thundering Hooves for 6 months and they sailed through the ride like a dream? Horses can retain their conditioning longer than their owners.

I am NOT saying to take a pasture potato out and ride the snot out of him.

If you have had a back to back ride schedule and your horses performance is starting to lessen, why not give him some rest? Take his down time as an opportunity to volunteer.

I cannot tell you the knowledge I have gained first hand by volunteering. Think your horse is pretty good on his vet inspections? Watch others who really are to give you a wake up call.
Think you trot him out well or coming in at a 64 pulse is normal? You may be surprised to find out...not always.

For the record I AM NOT A VET. I am a rider. The article is simply based on my experience and what I have watched for the past 3000 miles of competition. Out west, for some folks, that is ONE Season!

In our bag of tricks, the tools of our trade, we need to make sure that REST is one we have and use.