There is no place like home
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381958)
Rockingham, Australia
August 18, 2019 9:15am CST
We have been away for a fortnight but arrived home this afternoon. We had an interesting time away but it’s always nice to be home. We attended two endurance rides while we were away and took photos of the horses and riders at each of them.
This is one of my photos. Can you see that the horses’ legs are a darker colour than his body? This is because much of his coat has been clipped away. Our horses have their winter coats at the moment so they can look quite shaggy. The hair will eventually fall out and be replaced by a much shorter ‘summer coat’. If an endurance horse has a heavy winter coat, when he sweats from exertion, it takes a long time for his coat to dry again. With a short coat, he can be washed free of sweat after each leg of the route and won’t take too long to dry.
The horse is wearing a ‘breastplate’, which is the straps across the horse’s chest. This helps hold the saddle in place, especially when going uphill. This rider doesn’t use a bit in the horse’s mouth which is easier on the horse and enables him to eat and drink more naturally. The horse is wearing boots made of heavy rubber. This is a cheaper option than having metal shoes tacked to the horse’s hooves.
Both horse and rider are looking quite comfortable here and they went on to complete 80 kms (49.7 miles) in 6 hours 56 minutes. He was the second middleweight rider to complete the course.
19 people like this
17 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Aug 19
I swear you Aussies are more into horses than Americans!
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135664)
• Marion, Ohio
18 Aug 19
Love seeing no bit or shoes on the horse. Everything lets them be more natural.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135664)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Aug 19
@JudyEv Bits are still too common here. I had trained a couple of mine to the point I snapped a lead rope to the halter and went. Pull turn left, neck rein right. They loved the extra freedom of it and I did too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Aug 19
@wolfgirl569 Most go very kindly without a bit but some are a bit 'strong'.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208805)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Great shot! I didn't know that about horses actually. I bet those endurance riders get very saddle sore. I once went on a horseback ride for about an hour and discovered muscles I didn't know I had. I would have killed for a hot tub!
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
18 Aug 19
great pic! ya should be most proud, ms. judy! 'tis a tad shockin' to see that horse groomed'n that manner. 'round these parts they clip 'em all o'er fer competition. they blanket 'em, but those legs 're still lackin' protection from the cold. 'lways thought such a cruel practice. y'all's solution much better :)
i'm glad to see this bitless bridle 's well 's those boots. much better fer the horses, those boots. iron shoes constrict too much. ne'er used the latter 'nless 'twas needed fer a correction with one 'f the rescues.
they made purty good time, eh? both look happy 'n relaxed - 'lways a good sign.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
19 Aug 19
@JudyEv that'd be why i used 'em here 's quite a bit we'd be out'n shale rock 'n other nasty schtuff. here 't my place though, i left 'em barefoot. what a beauty! how thick do their winter coats get there?? 't times these'll wool'p 4" 'r better. 'lways a sign 'f a hard winter comin'.
did'ja take this pic, too?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 19
@crazyhorseladycx This is one of mine, yes. This is a purebred Arab so the coat isn't very long. We don't get snow here so the length mostly depends on the breed. Anything with Welsh or British pony blood will get a thick coat but mostly only an inch or two. Shetlands might get longer coats but you don't see them on endurance rides. The main breeds are Arab and Arab crosses, stockhorse, standardbreds (ex pacers/trotters), Anglo Arabs, some Warmbloods and that's about it. There is a lovely looking Arab/Warmblood that has been retired from dressage and is doing well in endurance.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 19
Most would need some sort of 'footwear' in the country they're travelling, and particularly doing so many miles in such a short time. There used to be some regulation clips but now you see a great variety of styles. Here, the hair has been left under the saddle as well as on the legs.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Aug 19
What about that?! Rubber shoes for the horses.
Awesome photos, I think you are doing well as second photographer.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 19
Thanks. I'll gradually getting more horse and less background in my photos so that's good.
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 19
You've written 'houses' which made me smile as I'm sure you know quite a lot about those. :)
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Aug 19
@Tampa_girl7 Most are happy just to ride the distance and have their horse vetted through as fit and well. Anything more is really a bonus.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
22 Aug 19
I was thinking the horse's legs look wet. Thanks for providing an explanation.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Aug 19
The horse would be a bit sweaty all over. He'd be washed down at the end of the ride (they have heated water for that) and dried off with a towel. The legs might be lightly bandaged or encased in a clay paste to aid in cooling off. The horse would wear a rug but leaving the hair on the legs means they won't get so cold.
1 person likes this
@florelway (23339)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
18 Aug 19
Indeed no place better than our own, no matter how enjoyable the escapade is.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
19 Aug 19
The rider seemed to enjoy his riding time.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 19
Yes, it was a lovely sunny day although the wind was very cold.
@moffittjc (128833)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Aug 19
I admit that I don't know much about horses, or haven't been around them much of my life, but I have never seen rubber boots for horses before! That's a new one to me.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122101)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
19 Aug 19
Thank you for sharing this story of your horseback riding stories.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381958)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 19
You're welcome. I would enjoy this sport if I were younger.
