The Sweaty Equestrian Blog: Tales from the Saddle, Gym, & Kitchen

Endurance Stirrup Covers for Winter Riding

1/21/2021

A couple months ago, I asked around on the interwebs about where to get covers to go over caged endurance stirrups -- you know, to keep my feet warm while riding in winter chill, rain, and wind.

You know what I heard back? Crickets.

Stirrup covers exist for traditional western stirrups and English irons, but there didn't seem to be any such thing designed to suit the larger dimensions of endurance stirrups - let alone the stirrup cages that many of us use. So, I improvised.

It turns out that gallon-size Ziploc bags and a handful of zipties will, technically, help keep feet warm inside caged stirrups. They will not, however, make much of a fashion statement.

Redneck foot warmers. Um.

I definitely needed a better solution. Enter my friend Simone.

Simone Mauhl is an endurance rider in the northwest region. Conveniently for my winter riding dilemma, she also makes tack - much of it custom, and much of it for packing. (We have a lot of hunters out here in Idaho.)

So, when Simone mentioned that she could make me a pair of stirrup covers designed for caged endurance stirrups, I was all over it! We put our heads together and she came up with this design:

Well! That's much prettier than my redneck version, don't you think?

The covers are made of a water repellant fabric with a thin liner in the toe area for extra insulation. They're not completely waterproof, Simone said, but it would take a heck of a driving rain over a long period to get any leakage through the seams.

Dang, I wish I'd had them at the Eagle Canyon 50 in 2016, which featured sideways rain, snow, and hail all night and much of the day!

Side note: Thanks to my Helly Hanson rain pants and Goretex cycling shell, my feet were actually the only part of me that got soaked that day. I've said it before: look at outdoor adventure gear for riding -- it's better than just about anything made by the usual equestrian brands.

Anyway, back to the stirrup covers. The photos above feature them on a 2008-ish era Easycare E-Z Ride stirrup that Simone borrowed from Mr. Sweaty's saddle for a model. However, she made sure to make the velcro loops adjustable for all sizes of endurance stirrups, with or without cages.

My own favorite stirrups are a battered pair that came with a used Bob Marshall. If I knew what brand they were, I would buy more, but alas, they are unmarked. They're a bit smaller than the E-Z Rides. I tried out the covers on them the first time we got a snowy day with decent footing.

Well, now. That's much better than the Ziplocs!

Incidentally, those Ziplocs took about 20 minutes to ziptie on and about 10 minutes to snip off. I installed Simone's covers in about 20 seconds per stirrup. (Yes, I actually counted.)

You can't see it in the photo, but there is a double velcro strip along the bottom of the stirrup cage, which is highly adjustable and keeps the cover in place.

Starfish didn't find the covers spooky at all. She was probably glad to have those godawful embarrassing Ziplocs gone!

It wasn't a super cold day -we've had a relatively mild winter this year - but I was in and out of the saddle, walking in the snow, and the whole way back we rode into the wind.

And...the covers worked! They stayed put and kept the wind off my toes, and they looked good doing it. I'll probably keep them on my saddle through February, and they'll go right back on next October.

AND...there's more good news: Simone said she can make more of these things for other riders. They're reasonably priced and Simone is great to work with.

The product is too new to be posted in an online store yet, so just look up Simone Mauhl on Facebook. If you aren't on Facebook, ping me at tamara@thesweatyequestrian.com and I'll hook you up.

Happy toasty riding!

15 Gift Ideas for Distance Riders

11/25/2020

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Is it just me, or do some people get harder to shop for with every passing year? Here are fifteen ideas to help you surprise your favorite endurance rider this Christmas:

Custom Gold Foil Map
These gorgeous maps can be customized to showcase any special location, especially if it has an intricate shoreline or trail system. I purchased one in copper on black. It's stunning in a black wood frame, and the seller was a pleasure to work with.

Charlie Mackesy Book or Print
If you haven't seen this guy's art, you must take a look! Mackesy's work embodies the kindness and gentle humor I associate with Winnie the Pooh, but with horses and without the cheesy illustrations. (Sorry, Pooh.)

High Quality Layers
It seems like distance riders are always asking each other, "What do you wear to stay warm and dry on stormy rides?" My suggestion is to look for gear brands instead of equestrian-specific brands, because the technology used for skiing, cycling, and other outdoor adventure sports is so much more advanced. Some of my favorites are Outdoor Research, Rab, Patagonia, Marmot, and Mammut. Every serious rider needs a good down "puffy" coat and a 3-layer, waterproof, breathable rain shell with taped seams.

Personal Logo
Does your rider have a farm name? Ride with a team? Manage an event? Surprise them with the perfect logo -- no design skills needed. You can create your own with support from an app like Weebly Logo Maker or commission an artist on Fiverr. The logo itself is a great last-minute gift, as you can usually get one in three days or less. Pay a few extra bucks for the vector file, and you'll be all set to customize anything: window decals for the truck, completion awards, a metal sign for the driveway, whatever!

Silicone Ring
Riders can keep both their diamonds and their fingers safer by trading out gold rings for silicone ones during barn time. As a bonus, they're comfortable and stocking-stuffer cheap. Vendors like Qalo and Enso Rings have options that go beyond basic gray.

Running Vest
You know what isn't fun? Getting dumped in the middle of nowhere and watching your horse run off with all your water in his saddlebags. (Ask me how I know.)

That's why I wear a running vest when I ride in the wilderness alone.

A good running vest beats a regular hydration vest because it is designed to minimize bouncing. Also, it not only holds water, but has lots of pockets.

Modeling my running vest at the start of a 55 last July

Feel free to pad your gift with a few emergency supplies, like energy gels, some bandaids, sunscreen, and pain meds to make the walk out more tolerable.

Satellite Communication Device
This is a great gift if you have a healthy budget. I like the Garmin inReach, which fits nicely in a front pocket of my running vest. Its interface is easy to use and can even be operated through a smartphone app, which gives the user a proper keyboard instead of just the integrated grid. Your rider will be able to drop "breadcrumbs" when exploring new territory and send unlimited free pre-typed texts/emails. They'll also have have two-way, real-time communication capability -- no internet or cell service required. And, of course, there's the SOS button if shit really goes down. Bear in mind that you'll need to pay a subscription service (about $15/month) to keep the device active.

Sleep Mask
Riders doing longer distances often go to bed well before dark. I like a good sleep mask to help block out the world. This one from Sleep Master is my favorite for comfort (very silky, highly adjustable, stays in place) and effectiveness (larger surface area blocks all light).

While you're at it, these Acoustic Sheep SleepPhones are a nice alternative to earplugs for muffling the clatter of ride camp. They're nice at home, too, for listening to music or a sleep meditation without bothering your partner.

Horse ID
Every rider's nightmare is to lose a horse in the wilderness. Equine ID collars can be worn in camp or while riding to help bring a missing horse home. These I.C.E. clips make good stocking stuffers. I'd like to have one on every saddle!

Spirit Horses
Merri Melde -- aka The Equestrian Vagabond -- makes adorable equine pins and magnets (and other things too) sure to bring any rider luck.

Custom Stuffed Horse
Speaking of adorable! These are pricy as plushies go, but this Etsy vendor will put your horse's markings on a stuffed toy for the cutest keepsake ever.

Ride Photos
Most distance events have a race photographer. You can usually find out who took photos at any given ride by checking the event website or Facebook page. Frame a great shot or have it printed on glass, canvas, or metal. You could also make a collage honoring one special horse, or perhaps all the different horses your rider has competed with over the years.

Experiences
How about paying for a clinic, ride entry, or private lesson with an expert in your area? A session with an equine massage therapist or chiropractor wouldn't go amiss. Also, it's AERC membership renewal season...

Local Crafts
For a truly unique gift, look for a craftsman in your own backyard. A couple years ago, my dad worked with Forgiven Fabrication (they are on Etsy now!) to turn a photo of me and my first endurance horse into a steel silhouette.

Cool, huh?

Cowhide and Sheepskin
Nothing beats coming back to a cozy home after a winter ride. Cowhides and sheepskins are perfect for adding warmth and flair to just about any style of decor. Even better, they hold up beautifully to pet hair, blood, and barf. Trust me on this.

I've had good experiences with Cowhides International (get the Brazilian ones, they're higher quality) and Sheepskin Shop.

What are you hoping Santa brings this year? Add your ideas to the comments, and happy gifting!

5 Top Books for Endurance Riders

2/19/2020

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After I learned that endurance riding was a thing, it took four years for me to actually get started. I spent the time reading everything I could get my hands on. That was back before the internet had much to say about distance riding, which meant I was ordering actual, paper books. I lost them all in a house fire in 2018. These are the first five that I replaced:

Too many rides together? America's Long Distance Challenge author Karen Bumgarner (left) and me at Owyhee Canyonlands in 2011.

1. Go the Distance: The Complete Resource for Endurance Horses by Nancy S. Loving, DVM

This book was my bible as I got started in the sport, and I still re-read it periodically. Written by a veterinarian and experienced endurance rider, it covers all the basics: horse selection, conditioning, nutrition, metabolic health, cooling strategies, hoof care, common mistakes to avoid, and more. Though originally published in 1997, it is extremely well written and the content holds up (even if the riders' clothing in some of the photos doesn't).

2. America's Long Distance Challenge II: New Century, New Trails, and More Miles by Karen Bumgarner

This is another comprehensive book about preparing for, and competing in, endurance distance rides. The author's endurance career began before AERC's current record book, which starts in 1985, and is closing in on 30,000 miles. I am eternally grateful to have had her as my mentor and can certainly vouch for her expertise. But don't take my word for it. As of this writing, her AERC record shows 368 endurance rides (including 44 hundred-milers) with only 12 pulls. Astounding.

3. EMERGENCY! The Active Horseman's Book of Emergency Care by Karen Hayes, DVM

This unusual book is designed to guide you through helping your horse when no vet is available. The author provides brisk, precise instructions for how to respond to a colic, founder, laceration, heat exhaustion, choke, eye injuries, sudden lameness, and more while you work on locating a professional. I keep it in my truck for reference when I'm far from veterinary help. Sadly, EMERGENCY is hard to find new, but you can still pick up a used copy for a song.

4. All Horse Systems Go: The Horse Owner's Full-Color Veterinary Care and Conditioning Resource for Modern Performance, Sport and Pleasure Horses by Nancy S. Loving, DVM

Note the author on this one. Yep, she's the same endurance-riding veterinarian who wrote Go the Distance. This book focuses on a wide spectrum of veterinary information, presented for the lay person, with an eye to the kinds of issues that matter most to distance competitors. The electronic copy is affordable, but I'd encourage you to track down a hard copy if you can. After the fire, I managed to get one on eBay for about $60. It's worth it for photos and easy reference.

5. The Horse's Mind by Lucy Rees

This book offers a fabulous treatment of equine psychology. The author covers everything from how the horse's sense organs function to why our equine partners behave as they do. My favorite section, "Horses and People," begins with a discussion of how horses perceive training. It's dense reading, but highly applicable to the ways we interact with our horses every day.

Welcome

Thanks for dropping by! I'm an endurance rider in the northwest region of the United States. I believe that how I eat and move impacts not only how I ride, but how I think and feel. This blog is about the practice of being my best self for my horse. I hope you'll come along for the ride. ~ Tamara

For more of my story, come visit the About page.

Aboard Jammer on our way to 100 miles at Oregon 100. Photo by Darlene Merlich

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