An introduction to equestrian endurance

6 days / 6 nights / 5 days on horseback

Your base will be the Le Barthas training centre and stud in the magnificent Viaur River valley where you will discover the techniques and training methods we use for our endurance horses.

Day after day – what you can expect

• Day 1 : You are expected in the late afternoon at the Le Barthas stud where the horses and facilities will be shown to you, followed by a welcoming drink. A table d’hote meal will be served at the Tronques farm where you will be spending the night.

• Day 2 : Morning - assessment of riding skills in the schooling ring. Afternoon – 1 hour of classroom instruction regarding the use of uphill and downhill workouts, followed by two and a half hours of outdoor work on horseback.

• Day 3 : Morning – preparing a horse for a veterinary check. Trotting out. Work in the schooling ring. Afternoon – 2-hour workout on the trails. Theory and practice: taking care of a horse following a race. Evening with a high-level competitive endurance rider or a specialized saddle-maker.

• Day 4 : Morning - farriery. The hoof: potential problems and care (under the supervision of a farrier). Afternoon – a 4-hour workout using a heart rate monitor. Evening – film screening

• Day 5 : Morning – feeding the athletic horse (theory). Work in the schooling ring, orienteering, and endurance. Afternoon – veterinary considerations under the supervision of a veterinarian specialising in competitive endurance (metabolism, stamina, locomotion and lameness).

• Day 6 : 60-km ride (3 x 20 km) in actual race conditions along the course followed by the Virac CEN ** ride.

• Day 7 : Riders depart after breakfast at the table d’hôte

PS – Riders will tend to the horses every morning and evening.

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Salient features

• Horses tailored for endurance.
• Ride led by national-level endurance rider (inc. a qualified BEES2 riding instructor)
• Ideal environment for competitive endurance training

Technical details

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