Cross-Sectional Survey of the Management and Training Practices of Endurance Horses in New Zealand: A Pilot Study

The aim of the study was to conduct a cross-sectional survey of a cohort of national and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) level riders to provide an overview of the management and training practices of endurance horses in New Zealand. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 53 riders participating at four endurance rides (including a 3* FEI event). The questions covered demographics of the rider and horse as well as general management and training practices. Before the first competitive ride of the season, horses were ridden a median of five (interquartile range [IQR], 4-6) days a week and were in training for a median of eight weeks (IQR, 6-9). The first competitive ride of the season marked the transition from long slow distance work to more competition-specific work. Increases in training were associated with a reduction in distance, an increase in speed, and no change in frequency. Conditioning often incorporated farm work, hill work, and hacking. After a competitive ride, just over half (57%; 24/42) of respondents gave their horses 1 day off for every 10 km ridden in the ride. Most respondents (81%; 42/52) reported key milestones for their horses during training; heart rate and Global Positioning System (GPS) monitors were used by 61% (31/51) and 63% (31/49) of respondents, respectively. This pilot study highlighted that many riders collected heart rate and GPS data, suggesting there is scope for further detailed studies to gain more accurate training data on endurance horses in New Zealand.