Vet's Preparation Advice

Welcome

For some people this will be their first ever MS Horseride and for others it might be their annual holiday, however it is still important to read the following to help you get the most enjoyable experience possible for both horse and rider.

It is important to remember that the ride is a holiday and therefore you can set your own pace. We do not require an endurance horse, rather the aim is to have fun and get to know your horse. However the better prepared your horse is the better the experience will be for both parties.

Preparation Is The Key

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for a program of getting your horse fit and gradually adjusting its feed to match the work it is doing. Ideally, if your horse really has been doing nothing in the winter, you really should start riding him regularly (4 or 5 times a week, not just weekends!) for at least 6 -8 weeks before the ride. This process may take even longer if your horse is overweight and hasn't been fit for a while.

If you haven't got time to ride every day then try lunging, or look for someone to share exercising. If excess weight is also a problem then look at what you are feeding and cut it down - if grass or hay is the only culprit then you may need to consider more limited access to it. If your horse is stabled consider putting him in a bigger paddock if possible where he can exercise himself.

If excess weight is not a problem and you have introduced a more regular riding program, then you can think about introducing a concentrate feed to meet your horse's increased energy demands. As the horses will be fed Mitiavite Xtra-Cool on the ride it is best to introduce this as early as possible.

Training - A Guide for You and Your Horse

Start conditioning your horse well in advance of the ride. Gradual increases in the amount of work are a must. Start with slow rides two or three times a week. You can begin increasing the distance, speed, and number of times per week over a period of time until the horse gradually reaches peak condition. Never increase speed and distance simultaneously. The track is often over undulating terrain so hill work is important.

July - August

Aim: To develop the musculoskeletal system.

Tendons, ligaments, bones, hooves and muscles take a long time to condition. Long slow rides with a little hill work are recommended. Increase the speed of walking by encouraging your horse to stretch out. Slowly increase the amount of trotting, stopping when your horse raises a little sweat and is blowing a little. Aim to be able to trot a couple of kilometers at a medium pace by the middle of August.

August - September

Aim: To develop the cardiovascular and musculosketal systems.

Now that a good base has been built, fitness can be improved by introducing cantering and increasing the amount of hill work. Horses should be worked at least every second day with long rides once a week.

The golden rule: if you increase difficulty, like speed or hills, decrease distance, and vice versa!

Before the Ride

Body Condition

Aim to have your horse in a healthy and fit body condition. Your horse's ribs should not be visible although they should be felt through the skin. Overweight horses need to be put on a diet well before the ride so there is less of a problem with heat loss on the ride which can cause further complications.

Suitability

Horses should be sound and not younger than 4 years or too old. Stallions are not allowed. The horse's experience and temperament should suit the rider's ability. If you are bringing a horse that is new to you, try and ride it as much as possible before the ride and if possible with a larger group of horses so that you can judge its temperament and suitability for the horse ride.

Shoeing

Sound shoes are essential so have a close look now. Your horse should be re-shod one week prior to the ride, unless you are using Old Mac's Multi Purpose Horse Boots. A farrier will be available on the ride for any emergencies.

Health

It is a good idea to have your horse checked by your local vet in September. An examination for lameness is particularly important. Vaccination against tetanus & strangles, deworming and a dental check is recommended at this time. If your horse is current with these things there is no need to worry but prevention is better than cure!

Nutrition

Horses will be fed Mitavite Xtra-Cool and hay. This cool energy feed is a complete ration. This feed is widely available and this diet should be gradually introduced to your horse well before the ride. Over three weeks, gradually increase the amount of Xtra-Cool feed until the entire ration is Xtra-Cool.

In past years there have been people who have not started their horses on the Xtra-Cool until a week before or even on the ride. This is seriously discouraged for two reasons. Firstly it places unfair strain on your horse's gastrointestinal system, which may make problems like colic and tying - up more likely.

Secondly, Xtra-Cool is a cool energy food and will not cause "fizzy" behaviour. However it is energy dense and the steam-extrusion process used to make the product makes it more digestible and the absorption of essential nutrients easier. So while horses do not go silly it is not uncommon for people who introduce the food too late to find that their horse has more energy. If the time is taken at home in a familiar environment to adjust the quantity that suits your horse it is less likely that there will be any unwanted surprises.

In addition it is important to remember that because Xtra-Cool is more digestible and energy dense you need to feed less than you would of your normal feed. If you feed 1kg of grain then your horse will probably only require 0.5kg of Xtra-Cool. Read the instructions on the bag for advice on quantities required and then take the time to adjust this at home until you are happy with your horses' behaviour and remember as your horse gets fitter the required amount of Xtra-Cool will also need to be adjusted.

Gear

Use the gear you will be taking on the ride. Do not use brand new gear on the ride. Sore backs and saddle rubs can occur with ill-fitting tack. Ensure that there is adequate padding and the saddle fits properly. Don't forget that as a horse becomes fitter its body shape may change and problems can start to occur. Correct ill-fitting saddles prior to the event. If a horse develops a sore back it will be necessary to spell the horse and correct the problem causing the saddle to rub. This may mean a few days of missing out on riding while on the ride and this can put a real dampener on everyone's holiday.

On the Ride

Cool Down and TLC after the Ride

This is probably the most important thing that you can do for your horse to prevent any problems. A proper cool down is especially important for those horses in the steel yards.

Keep muscle stiffness at bay by walking your horse once or twice around the camp site. If it's chilly or a cold wind is blowing, use a sweat blanket to keep the chill away or keep him in the sun to stay warm, as tired muscles will cramp up quickly and can lead to more serious problems. Giving your horse a big drink of cold water and then forcing him to stay still will also cause cramping, so do your horse the favour of cooling him down slowly. Don't be in too much of a hurry to pack up and go. Part of the adventure of the ride is to spend time with your horse and this involves more than just riding.

Water and Electrolytes

Horses will need to drink from creeks and dams on the ride, so include these activities during training. Balanced electrolytes added to feed or water is beneficial to horses that sweat heavily. International Animal Health - one of the rides sponsors - will supply some electrolytes that will be available for purchase.

Remember that electrolytes will cause horses to drink more which is great for horses reluctant to drink but because of this make sure that you give your horse every chance to stop and drink along the ride. Be on the look out for opportunities for your horse to drink. Horses will need to drink at least 30 litres of water each day to avoid dehydration. If they look like they are thinking about drinking then get your friends to wait, there is no need to rush the ride.

Pace

Be guided by the amount of preparation you have done and your horse's fitness and maintain a speed that is comfortable for you both. Your horse should not blow excessively. In difficult terrain, it is a good idea to get off your horse and walk. This certainly makes you realise how hard it is for you and your horse.

Assistance

Horses will be checked by the vet assistants regularly. The vet assistants are there to help, so don't hesitate to ask if you are at all concerned. As mentioned earlier the vets do not require an overly fit horse. We just require that everyone rides within the limitations of their preparation so that everyone has a good holiday. Lame horses and horses with sore backs or girth galls will be vetted out; however this is only done for the benefit of the horse.

The rouseabouts care for the horses at night and ensure that the horses in the communal paddock have plenty of feed to keep all the horses occupied. If a Vet is required, send a message with other riders to the nearest course marshal.

Yarding

Communal paddocks are used to house most horses. There are very few problems that occur in the communal yards and they give the horses a chance to be horses - it's their holiday too!

Individual steel yards are available for a fee. Please remember that horses in yards need to be taken out for a walk around the camp site at least twice on the rest day as this is the perfect time for problems to occur. Putting your horse in the communal paddock is not an option on this day as it upsets the newly formed herd structure in the communal paddock and this is when we do see problems.

Please contact the MS Society to book your steel yard if you haven't already done so.

On the ride

Remember to "pass other riders safely and slowly." You don't know what other horses are like and they might require a bit of extra nurturing. A bit of extra respect on the course will make everyone's holiday more enjoyable.

Also remember to encourage your horse to drink clean water from creeks and water holes as much as possible on the ride. Ride with groups of horses in open areas, across and along roads and obey the road rules when riding on roads. If your horse is inclined to kick put a red ribbon on its tail to warn others.