Riding a horse can be so much fun. Connecting with your horse, in general, is such an astounding experience that can put you at peace with yourself. Aside from the connection and bonding, heading out into nature with your trusty steed is calming and magnificent. But just how far of a trip is too far?
How long can you ride a horse before it gets tired? The average time you can ride a horse before it gets tired is 8 to 10 hours. However, there are many factors to consider when it comes to deciding how long you can ride a horse, such as:
- The age of the horse
- The physical fitness of the horse
- Where you are riding
- The weather
Knowing the do’s and don’ts when it comes to riding your horse is imperative for its health. In this blog, you will learn how long you can ride a horse before it gets tired and what factors to consider, among other useful information, such as signs and symptoms that your horse is tired and needs a break.
How Long Can You Ride a Horse Before it Gets Tired?
The average horse — not a horse trained for agility and endurance — will likely be able to be ridden for 8 to 10 hours before it gets tired. How do you come up with this number, though? Well, it all comes down to how fast your horse is going, otherwise known as his pace.
There are four paces of every horse — walking, trotting, cantering, and galloping. They are defined by the following miles per hour:
- Walking — 4 MPH
- Trotting — 8 to 12 MPH
- Cantering — 12 to 15 MPH
- Galloping — 25 to 30 MPH
If your horse is solely walking for the bulk of his trip, he isn’t likely to tire out. However, this can become a bit mundane for the rider and the horse. Most horses will prefer to switch between a walk and a trot throughout the trip and cover more distance without getting tired.
Pace everything to do with how quickly your horse tires out. A horse who can canter up to 2 hours will likely be tired by the end of this bout and will require a break. On the other hand, a horse that switches between cantering and trotting will preserve its energy.
Keep the pace of your horse in mind when determining how long you can ride him without becoming tired. But that’s not the only thing to keep in mind. Consider the following factors, as well:
Age of the Horse
Age should always be considered when it comes to how long you can ride a horse before it gets tired. Just like humans, the older a horse gets, the less likely it is going to be able to ride for hours at a time. While you should still be able to get a good ride with your geriatric horse, you should limit it to a few hours at a time — if that.
Also, you should always plan your pace and length of a trip on the least fit horse in the group. This is because horses will naturally push themselves to keep up with their peers. For the older horse, this can wreak havoc on its already aching joints, which will only lead to further health concerns.
Physical Fitness of the Horse
A horse that has been trained to build up his overall cardiovascular fitness and is in superior condition can last longer than the average horse. You also have to remember that some horses are specially trained for agility, endurance, and long-distance running.
The average physically fit and healthy horse fits into the 8- to 10-hour trip length, possibly an hour or two longer if you’re going at a slow pace. However, a horse that is trained explicitly for long-hauls can easily last up to 24 hours.
It’s important not to overdo it with your horse. When a horse becomes tired, it is more susceptible to injuring itself. You never want to push your horse past its maximum or try to ride with a horse that is more physically fit than yours. Otherwise, it might push itself too hard and end up hurt.
Where You Are Riding
If you’re taking a leisurely walk down the ocean’s shore, then you don’t have to worry too much about where you’re riding. After all, the ground is flat, and there isn’t much standing in the horse’s way. On the contrary, if you’re riding in the mountains with steep hills, it will fatigue your horse more quickly.
Aside from steep hills, you should also pay attention to the terrain itself. A rockier path can end up hurting your horse after some time, so you may want to limit the length of your trip. Another thing to look out for is muddy terrain, as this can also put stress on your horse’s ligaments.
Weather
The last thing to consider when deciding how long you can ride a horse before it gets tired is the weather. Horses lose water and electrolytes quickly through their sweat, which can lead to dehydration. The lack of electrolytes can lead to other health concerns, too.
Make sure that you take frequent stops in hot weather. During these breaks, you will want to feed your horse water and food to help keep up its electrolyte levels. Keep in mind, too, that some weather — such as high temperatures with low humidity — will cause the sweat to evaporate. Don’t think that, just because you can’t physically see sweating, it isn’t happening.
Signs of Tiredness in Horses
It is utterly important to know the signs of tiredness in your horse. This could mean the difference between a healthy horse and a happy trip and one that ends in sadness and fear.
The following are some of the signs of tiredness in horses:
- Excessive panting
- Sweating
- Dehydration
- Exhaustion
- Decreased motivation
- Respiratory issues
- Lethargy
- Loss of muscle coordination
It is also stated that a horse may refuse to drink or eat when it is tired. This should be an obvious sign to the rider that it’s time to take a break and head home when the horse is capable of doing so.
The best thing to do is to take your ride at a slower pace and don’t overdo it. If you start to notice any signs of fatigue in your horse, take a break right away. Try to get the horse to drink water or eat some grass before heading back home.
Also, be careful when riding with other horses. All the horses should be around the same fitness level, so no horse feels the need to push it to the limit to keep up with the pack. It may be best to avoid excessively hot days, too, as this can quickly lead to dehydration and tiredness.
How Long Should You Ride Your Horse?
Every horse is different, and no one knows your horse better than you do. While it is the average for a horse to last around 8 to 10 hours at a slower pace, this doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. If you are taking into consideration the age, fitness, and health of the horse, as well as where you are riding and the weather, you should be able to determine the right amount of riding time that is best for you and your horse.
Sources:
https://animals.mom.me/what-is-the-average-distance-a-horse-can-travel-in-a-day-3117039.html