Biltmore Challenge Endurance Ride

Overview of the Program :  If you are doing a 100-miler in 2011 or 2012, the AERCResearch Committee needs your help!   As a 100-miler, you know already that you are pretty special.   Out of 196,400 horse starts that the AERC sanctioned from 2002 through 2010, only 8,399 were actually 100-milers, averaging a little more than 900 starts yearly.   We know that 100-mile rides are extremely challenging for both horse and rider requiring from each mental and physical toughness, comprehensive, long-term conditioning, careful thoughtful use of hoof protection and tack, precise management of the horse's pace, diet, tack, and supplements through the actual ride, and likely a sizable component of luck.  However, what do we know scientifically that would tip the balance more consistently in your favor for a successful completion?

As a 100-miler, have you ever wondered what makes the difference between completion and non-completion?   In other words, are there specific identifiable risk factors that increase the probability that you won't have enough horse to complete the ride?   On the other side of the coin, what can you do to increase the potential that you will have plenty of horse and safely finish the ride?

In a nutshell, the AERC is systematically investigating risk factors for non-completions in 100-milers.  Better understanding of risk factors in 100-mile horses will improve endurance horse management in all competing endurance horses (LDs to 100 milers).   Ultimately, better endurance horse management will reduce the frequency/severity of injury in endurance-horse competitions and improve overall horse welfare in this sport.

The 2009 AERC Research Summit identified the absence of follow-up on pulls and treatments as a central problem to improving AERC horse welfare.  Although the AERC has systematically investigated fatalities at its endurance rides for nearly a decade, there is currently no systematic collection of information on endurance horse morbidity or illness not resulting in death.

The Research Summit recommended collecting morbidity information on 100 milers who statistically as a group have the most fatalities per start.  Anyone who will ride a 100-miler is, by definition, very determined, very motivated, and a glutton for punishment.   Filling out this survey will be easier than the ride.

In addition to collecting information on pulls and treatments, the same questions are asked of successful horses immediately in front of and immediately behind pulls or treatments for statistical analysis in case-control studies.   The AERC has funded distribution and collection of questionnaires at large 100-mile rides for the next two years.

At Biltmore, someone from the Research Committee may tap on your shoulder and politely ask for your help immediately after the pre-ride check and up to the beginning of the ride.   If you agree, you will be asked to sign your name to a master list signaling your commitment and provide your email and telephone number for friendly reminders if the questionnaire is not promptly returned.   You will be handed a large addressed, stamped envelope containing the 13-page questionnaire and a one-page FAQ with common questions and answers about this study.   Click this link to access the questionnaire, which is downloadable.   Click this link to access the FAQ.

The questionnaire asks about background history on you and your horse, veterinary history, routine hoof care, training schedule, diet, electrolyte supplementation, and trailering to the ride. Also, there will be questions specifically about your horse during the actual ride: pulse criterion, terrain, weather, diet, electrolyte supplements, tack, pace, and your horse's eating and drinking on the trail and at the vet checks. Lastly, there are a couple of pages asking how your horse is doing 24 hours of the ride. While there are many questions for completeness and spaces for comments, the questionnaire is relatively easy for many riders to complete as many questions are simply answered as "No" or "Not applicable."

As additional encouragement, a free 2012 AERC membership will be awarded to one of the participants who finishes and submits his/her questionnaire within 7 days of the end of the ride (postmarked by May 12). The winner will be selected from a random drawing of all riders who properly finish and submit questionnaires.

Thank you,

Drs. Ken Marcella, Meg Sleeper, and Olin Balch (all Research Committee members planning to attend Biltmore)

Please take the time to complete this questionnaire to help us help you. The AERC promises you that your horse will thank you for your attention to these details down the trail.

(We know that some of you have completed 100-mile questionnaires at previous rides. Thank you. We also would like you to complete the Biltmore questionnaire as each ride is different: preparation varies, trailering distance varies, temperature and humidity varies, rider pace and electrolyte supplementation may vary, and ultimately whether your horse completes or not may vary.)