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{"PageID":1538,"ThemeCode":null,"BlogInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News"}],"ID":46,"SpaceID":2,"Name":"News","Description":"Key news items","Author":{"ID":14,"Name":"John Hudson","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"CreationTime":"18/11/2019 11:00","Tags":[],"URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News","IsWatching":false,"CanWatch":false,"CanPostBlogEntry":false},"EntryInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News"},{"Name":"Do I need special tack for endurance?","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Do+I+need+special+tack+for+endurance"}],"ID":1538,"Name":"Do I need special tack for endurance?","Abstract":"No special tack is needed to start endurance riding. Clean, comfortable kit that fits well is the priority, but as distances grow, small changes like quick-dry saddle cloths, wider stirrups and easy-clean bridles can help horse and rider enjoy the miles.","ImageUrl":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/Lindum%20Group%20Pictures/6N8A2198_copya_copy.jpg","ThumbnailImageUrl":"","Author":{"ID":21061,"MembershipNumber":null,"Username":null,"Forename":"Vanessa","Surname":"Woodhouse","Name":"Vanessa Woodhouse","Handle":"Vanessa","CompanyName":null,"FamilyGroupName":null,"Branch":{"ID":3,"Name":"Cromwell","Description":"Northants, Cambridgeshire, Beds \u0026 Hertfordshire","Icon":null,"Colour":"rgb(208, 58, 73)","Depth":0,"Indent":0,"CanBeSelected":true,"Sections":null,"Label":"\u003cspan class=\u0022label label-default\u0022 style=\u0022background-color: rgb(208, 58, 73)\u0022\u003eCromwell\u003c/span\u003e","LabelLarge":"\u003cspan class=\u0022label label-default label-lg\u0022 style=\u0022background-color: rgb(208, 58, 73)\u0022\u003eCromwell\u003c/span\u003e"},"IsLoggedInUser":false,"ImageUrl":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Mugshots/vwoodhouse.jpeg"},"IsDraft":false,"PublicationDate":"Wednesday, 3 June 2026","CreationTime":"03/06/2026 19:11","CommentCount":0,"Tags":["Getting started"],"URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Do+I+need+special+tack+for+endurance","CanAdmin":false},"Content":"\u003cp\u003eSimple answer is actually no, you do not need special tack for doing endurance; what you DO need is clean and comfortable tack for both you and more importantly your horse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key to all of this is both your own and your horse’s comfort as you cover the miles. All tack should comply with the required standard, be clean and comfortable for the horse especially as they will be in it for some time. It is important that you do not create girth rubs and sores through excessive sweating and dirt then catching and rubbing the skin. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I initially started endurance, I changed nothing tack wise but soon tired of the need to thoroughly clean my leather bridle after each ride. Bridles get very sweaty and often really wet during crewing, which can age the leatherwork if not properly looked after. I also discovered that as I racked up the miles, I found normal metal stirrups very tiring to ride in. A narrow foot bed was causing some pain in my feet and making the ride less enjoyable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou may also find that as you do more and more endurance rides, you see the benefits of investing in a biothane bridle and also consider the type of stirrup being used. Let me explain this a little further.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eset up\u003c/strong\u003e: No change to the actual saddle, but some lighter saddle cloths in bamboo that wash and dry quickly. I picked these up second hand and they also double up as my daily saddle cloths for both training and competing in all disciplines (except dressage as they aren’t white!).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaddle cloths need to breathe and should always be clean before you start your ride. If you are doing a ride with a vert gate, or riding maybe the next day too, ensure you use a clean saddle cloth.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou may also have noticed the “Endurance clip” where endurance riders leave the girth area and part of the back and bottom covered in hair, and clip the neck, shoulders, belly and thighs. The hair helps to protect the delicate skin from being rubbed sore, and also provides a warmer layer to avoid chilling the horses in wetter weather. The clipped areas enable more rapid cooling at crewing points. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also invested in some really inexpensive broader footbed stirrup “irons” in a composite plastic. These I also found second hand on e-bay for about £50. The footbed is slightly sprung, offering some cushioning and shock absorption. I have opted to retain these stirrups as I also show jump and do dressage, so I need make no changes to met saddle set up across these disciplines. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are other makes of stirrup that offer the broad footbed and a detachable “cage” which are well worth a look at. They are expensive however unless you can find them second hand. The cage enables you to ride in trainers, or other more shock absorbing footwear and can further reduce the fatigue considerably. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost really long-distance riders will choose these options (ie 64K plus for example).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBridles: \u003c/strong\u003eA leather bridle is perfectly adequate to start your endurance journey, but you may well notice how may people ride bitless or in a biothane tack. Leather tack requires more maintenance and cleaning after each ride can be time consuming. Many endurance riders soon move to Biothane tack. It is hard wearing but soft, and can be made in customer shapes and sizes and colours to make sure the fit is perfect and you can stand out from the crowd at events. There are a number of manufacturers of these bridles, but Pioneer Endurance and Zilco tend to be the popular go to suppliers for the endurance community. It’s not particularly expensive and is super easy to maintain. Simply throw it in some warm soapy water, wipe it clean, rinse and let it air dry, or dry with a towel.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese bridles feature quick clip off reins, bits etc to make crewing areas in vet holds or post ride washing off more efficient for crews. A removal bit is super helpful for when horses need to eat some mashes or take a drink. I soon invested in this for my pony, and I am very happy with how much easier my life has become at events as a result!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRider:\u003c/strong\u003e So, what should we wear for an endurance ride. Initially what you would wear for a hack will be fine. Again, as you progress then you will find you may want to make some changes to help you regulate body temperature and cope with different weather conditions throughout the day.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsider riding tights rather than traditional jodhpurs or breeches. They are stretchy, supportive and come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes – with or without grippy gel seats. They are generally inexpensive, wash well and most importantly dry quickly after getting wet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, good quality riding boots ARE a must – consider brands with a good footbed here and this will make a real difference. Short boots and chaps, or a long boot are the options here; unless of course you are buying cage stirrups when a training shoe is permissible. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn summary then, there is nothing specifically needed initially to start your endurance journey, but you may find modifications as you progress to the longer distances are helpful for your own and your horses comfort; as well of course as the efficiency in cleaning and maintenance of your equipment.\u003c/p\u003e","HasCommentsThread":true,"SeoTags":{"OpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"og:title","Name":"Do I Need Special Tack for Endurance?"},{"ID":"og:type","Name":"website"},{"ID":"og:url","Name":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Do+I+need+special+tack+for+endurance"},{"ID":"og:description","Name":"You don’t need specialist tack to start endurance riding. Learn how clean, comfortable kit can support your horse, and which upgrades may help as distances increase."},{"ID":"og:image","Name":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/Lindum%20Group%20Pictures/6N8A2198_copya_copy.jpg"}],"NonOpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"description","Name":"Do you need special tack for endurance riding? Find out what kit you really need to get started, plus simple comfort-focused upgrades for horse and rider."},{"ID":"keywords","Name":"endurance riding tack, endurance horse tack, endurance riding equipment, biothane bridle, endurance stirrups, saddle cloths, horse comfort, rider comfort, long distance riding"}]},"PageURL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Do+I+need+special+tack+for+endurance","Comments":[],"UpdatedComments":[],"LastViewTime":null,"CanEdit":false,"CanPublish":false,"CanComment":false,"CanReadComments":false,"CanModerateComments":false}
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