In which it all goes on the same page: the guide for endurance green beans

I wrote the Endurance 101 book to answer all the questions

that I asked when I was a new distance rider:

Available at Amazon.com HERE

• What kind of horse do I need?
• What kind of gear do I need?
• What do I need to know?
• What do I need to do?
• How do I get started?  (Chapter 3 is available FREE as a preview online!)

Since the publication of the book, lots of other avenues of discovery have been created.  Here's a guide to some good stuff:

Are there groups to join?  

If you are in the United States, the American Endurance Rides Conference (AERC)  is historically recognized as the national endurance sanctioning organization.  They have some useful pages for new riders, including articles HERE.  

Other worthwhile groups to explore:  

Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA) is growing fast in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere, and this group has a lot of support for green beans.  EDRA has some excellent procedures I would love to see adopted elsewhere, including a mandatory helmet rule and a concussion protocol.  

The Southeast Endurance Riders Association (SERA) is a regional group from the American Southeast that offers worthwhile webinars and other educational benefits to members.

If you are outside the United States, search online for the words "endurance horse" and your country or region to find organizations.

Where do riders connect online? 

I did a keyword search on Facebook for "endurance" and found groups of endurance riders of all stripes located all over the globe, from Arizona to South Africa, and with all kinds of niche groups.  

I personally monitor the group for Riders Over Age 50 , the Pacific Northwest group, and several Standardbreds in Endurance groups (including a fun bunch of riders in Australia!).  

You can use keyword searching on whatever social media outlet you prefer, and you will find lots of people out there with similar interests.  Use the keyword phrase "green bean" to find groups for beginners, which are supportive and helpful.  

Remember that people online are sometimes rude and unpleasant, even if they are very nice in real life.

Where are other good resources?

There's a very cool webinar called Endurance Essentials dedicated to riders who are new to distance riding and want to improve their understanding of the sport and strategies for success.  The course also offers information about critical horse care, exercise physiology, and equine metabolism. I highly recommend it!

I'm also big fan of the AERC YouTube Educational videos.  

The videos address topics like "How does the vet check work?" and "What should you include in your crew bag?" narrated in kind voices and offering access to the helpful information you want!

Conventions, conferences and clinics are good. Here are some links:

Pacific Northwest Endurance Rides Convention (PNER) held every January.  

American Endurance Rides Conference (AERC) held in March.

What about books?

America's Long Distance Challenge II : New Century, New Trails, and More Miles by Karen Bumgarner. (2013)  Being a successful endurance competitor is more complex that simply running your horse as hard as possible.  Proper care, conditioning and concern for the horse are emphasized.

Go the Distance: The Complete Resource for Endurance Horses by Nancy S. Loving, DVM. (2006)  Topics covered include maintenance nutrition, hoof care and cooling strategies, as well as how to ensure your conditioning strategy is appropriate for the horse.

The Lighter Side of Endurance Riding by Angie McGhee. (2006) A laugh-out-loud must-read for everyone who has ever loved (and been confused by) horses and riding. This book is available directly from the author--find her on FB and she will arrange your purchase.

The Complete Guide to Endurance Riding and Competition by Donna Snyder-Smith.  (2008) Commonsense approach to conditioning, feeding, tack and equipment, and the mental preparation of the horse and rider all lay the foundation for a long and successful association with endurance riding.

Endurance 101: a gentle guide to the sport of long-distance riding  by Aarene Storms  (2012)  The step-by-step guide to getting started in the sport, written with an easy narrative style, numerous photographs, illustrations, anecdotes and informative sidebars to guide readers down the trail.

I'm biased, but it IS a good book.

Lastly, I offer myself as a resource. 

I definitely don't know everything, but I am really good at finding information that other folks need to know.  Drop me a line via this blog, email, or social media and I will help you find what you need!

Did I miss something?  Leave a note in the comment box (below).