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English/Endurance-No Irons -What Gives?

3K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  blink 
#1 ·
So I've become curious about endurance trail riding and I've started to research appropriate tack. I have more questions than answers.

Why are most "endurance" saddles of the English variety? Is it because the people who compete in endurance come from the other English disciplines? Or maybe it's because the saddles are lighter and create less burden for the horse? Surely it's not because they are more comfortable for the rider over the long haul.

I'm also wondering why endurance saddles, and English saddles in general, are often sold without irons/stirrups. Are irons a really personal choice in English riding?

I'm really surprised by how little information is available about endurance trail riding. Doesn't seem to have the following that other disciplines (English or western) have. Not very many good websites devoted to it.

Blink
 
#2 · (Edited)
Blink, true endurance saddles are generally English in style because they're lighter in weight and easier on the horse.

Endurance riding is not for the occasional rider, or someone who just wants to trail ride. Heck, I've done CTRs and LDRs, and I'm nowhere near qualified to ride endurance.

Endurance is an extreme sport, and riders and horses have to be in top shape in order to compete. The catchphrase for endurance is, "To finish is to win", because so many horse/rider teams get disqualified for not being physically fit enough to continue.

It's a grueling sport, and its groups are very tight knit. Not to say you can't break into endurance, it's just finding a club in your area. They're few and far between. The closest one to me is in Fort Valley, which isn't close at all.

All English tack is sold separately. When you buy a saddle that's what you get, a saddle. No girth, no irons, no leathers.

Stirrup leathers, irons and girths are personal choice items, because they come in different sizes, makes, types, and fabrics/leather and no one size fits all.

For instance, I buy 4.75" irons, because I use jointed. When I used hard irons, I used 4.5". For someone else, 5" in hard irons might be necessary.

I prefer neoprene girths with elastic on both ends. Someone else might prefer a leather or felt girth, with no elastic. I generally use 42" or 44" girths. Someone else might need bigger or smaller, depending on their saddle and size of their horse.

Stirrup leathers come in synthetic or leather, and are of varying lengths. What I take in a leather might be too short or long for someone else.

The only reason Western saddles come with stirrups is because they're already attached. Everything else comes separately, just like English tack.
 
#3 ·
sr,
Thanks for clarifying that. It doesn't make the shopping experience any easier on me - I was hoping to have to make one decision instead of three or four. At least I won't make a fool out of myself for getting bent out of shape because all the parts aren't there!

And I appreciate the caveat on endurance trail riding. Note that I said I'm curious and doing research. I have no delusions that I'll be joining any rides any time soon.

I've found a couple of clubs within a short drive of my home, so I have some options. My plan is to attend an event as a spectator/gawker. That should give me a clearer sense of the demands of the sport, the people who participate, and whether I can stomach either one.

By the way, I don't want to give the impression that I'm going all Hidalgo here - the clubs I'm looking at do rides that are 6 to 10 miles. So, while I'm sure it's still demanding, it may not be the level of competition/endurance you're thinking of.

As always, I do appreciate your unbiased, level-headed input.

Blink
 
#4 ·
I've found a couple of clubs within a short drive of my home, so I have some options. My plan is to attend an event as a spectator/gawker. That should give me a clearer sense of the demands of the sport, the people who participate, and whether I can stomach either one.
Ask to pit crew or work with the vet scribes, P/R group or timer. That is where you will hear the nitty gritty.
 
#5 ·
I was once told that English saddles are what they are because they are the perfect middle ground between rider security and freedom of movement for the disciplines ridden in such tack (jumping particularly). Any more rider-securing features, and the horse's freedom of movement would suffer; any more freedom of movement allowed for the horse, and the rider's stability would suffer, particularly over jumps or at high speed.

There are some western-style endurance-trail saddles out there. Most don't have a horn, that way the rider isn't going up a mountain with the saddle horn digging between ribs, but there are a lot of more specialized trail/endurance saddles with fenders and western-type stirrups.

Endurance Saddles
 
#6 ·
Blink, 6 to 10 mile rides aren't even considered LDRs, they're just trail rides. I like to ride at least 10 miles, sometimes more, when I trail ride. :wink:

A LDR (limited distance ride) is usually 25-45 miles. Anything over 50 is generally considered endurance. I've done LDRs up to 35 miles, but I'd hardly consider myself anywhere close to being an endurance rider.

Endurance is so tough and the terrain so difficult in some places, that there are horses and sometimes riders who lose their lives. At the Tevis Cup, usually at least one horse dies every year by falling off a cliff or down a ravine.

I think going as a spectator is a splendid idea. You'll at least get a feel for what the club is all about, and whether or not it's something you want to do.

As far as the tack purchases, we were all noobs at one point and that stuff can be confusing. It can and does get frustrating if you're not sure what you need, and sales people start garbling words at you and throwing stuff on a pile! :lol:
 
#7 ·
Yeah, SR, I went back to the sites that I found the 6 to 10 mile rides on and they make no pretense of being "endurance."

I added that inaccurate descriptor myself because I confused my "googles."

I will definitely attend one as a spectator first. And I like the advice from mls to volunteer. Hadn't considered that, but it would certainly give me an up-close vantage point and a great deal more interaction with participants.

The tack thing really is confusing. I see that so many of the trail/endurance saddles are tree-less, and yet I read so many conflicting reports on the impact these have on the horse.

And I thought buying my first bass boat was confusing!

blink
 
#8 ·
The tack thing really is confusing. I see that so many of the trail/endurance saddles are tree-less, and yet I read so many conflicting reports on the impact these have on the horse.
One huge point of advice - do not purchase anything new and use it for the first time at an actual event. Condition in or with it first! You don't need to find out 8 miles out that your horse is sore from the new cinch or you are allergic to your socks.
 
#10 ·
Don't go with fads - Get something you are comfortable in and that fits your horse. If you aren't doing huge distances then weight isn't such an issue.

Generally endurance gear is designed for comfort, durability, ease of use and weight.

You can get padded stirrups, bridles that have bits that unclip to turn into halters, etc.
 
#12 ·
Some of the endurance/trail saddles that I've always drooled over are the Tuckers. I've heard lots of good things about them and they just LOOK soo comfy and well-made to me! I definitely think I'll be getting one someday. You do pay for the quality however and I'm not sure what budget range you were looking for blink but they do have several more western style endurance saddles.

Tucker Saddles - Saddles, Endurance

((Plus, these saddles look like they usually come with your stirrups and leathers!! ^_^))
 
#13 ·
I personally endurence ride in a Wintec All Purpose. :oops: It's not a common thing in my area, but it's so light the horses love it. I've ridden in an real endurence saddle before, but there was something I just didn't like... Too much saddle, I suppose. Still just as light as my Wintec, but bigger feeling.

Anyway, good luck with venturing into endurence! The saddles are confusing, but the biggest thing is to find something that works for you and your horse. If it fits you both, ride in it.
 
#14 ·
Eolith, those are beautiful saddles, and I'm getting accustomed to the idea that a saddle may cost nearly as much as the horse!

On the other hand...

Brighteyes, that's about a $300 saddle you're talking about! I've talked with several saddle snobs who would turn their nose up at it because it's synthetic and under $1,000.

I have no such personal bias - I don't know enough to have an opinion!

You're happy with the quality, durability, and rider/horse fit of the Wintec?

I'd be risking a lot less by starting with your saddle. I'm intrigued!

blink
 
#17 ·
Eolith, those are beautiful saddles, and I'm getting accustomed to the idea that a saddle may cost nearly as much as the horse!

On the other hand...

Brighteyes, that's about a $300 saddle you're talking about! I've talked with several saddle snobs who would turn their nose up at it because it's synthetic and under $1,000.

I have no such personal bias - I don't know enough to have an opinion!

You're happy with the quality, durability, and rider/horse fit of the Wintec?

I'd be risking a lot less by starting with your saddle. I'm intrigued!

blink

For what they are --a synthetic, inexpensive saddle--, they're great. I bought mine for the shocking sum of $250 from a girl who had been riding in it for years. I've had it for about three years now and it still looks new. Very, very durable, and talk about easy to clean! None of the trouble of leather. I put mine over the fence and spray it with a hose when it gets dirty. I've even swam with it.

As far as horse fit, I've found them better for lower withered horses or horses with fairly flat backs. They fit everything but the narrowest, high withered TB.

As far as rider fit, I have no complaints. Not the most comfortable thing you'll ever sit on, but feels pretty good to me.
 
#16 · (Edited)
I certainly haven't got anything against the Wintecs. I've owned one of the APs and used it as my primary saddle for about five or six years. It certainly isn't the most comfortable or the most secure... but very funtional and practical. The saddle literally looks about the same now as it did when we bought it. Super durable!

I've recently gotten a treeless dressage saddle however and I haven't touched the Wintec since. The treeless is way too comfy cozy, it puts me in a better riding position for dressage, and I feel as though my pony has been much more comfortable in it as well.
 
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