The objective
Complete a marked trail — often 50 to 100 miles (80–160 km) — in the fastest time while keeping the horse fit to continue.
Vet checks
At set points, veterinarians examine every horse’s heart rate, soundness and hydration. A horse that does not pass is withdrawn.
Words to know
Hold: required rest time at a vet check. Recovery: time for the heart rate to drop to a set level. Completion: finishing with a fit horse.
Following the action
Many riders say “to finish is to win.” Ride-and-tie and limited-distance events offer shorter starts.
Sources
- FEI Endurance rules — Fédération Équestre Internationale
- American Endurance Ride Conference — AERC
By National Horse Co. Editorial Team · Checked against cited sources 2026-10-03. National Horse Co. is not affiliated with the organizations cited.