We wanted to hear more about how Tad Coffin’s SmartRide Rx Saddle Technology keeps these endurance horses in remarkably great health for miles and miles, so we caught up with Elizabeth Farina of Davidsonville, MD for a glimpse into her world.
Elizabeth explained that for the safety of the horses, all competitive long distance rides have vet ‘holds’ every 10-20 miles within the course, which are in place to be sure the horses stay safe and are fit to continue. These regulated vet checks assess horses’ heart rates, respiration levels, gut sounds, and they also always palpate the horses’ backs for signs of soreness or muscle cramping. Horses are scored on all of these and must meet normal parameters within 30 minutes or the ride is over for them.
“The way to be competitive is to pass the vet check as quickly as possible so that you are tacked up and back on the course most efficiently. With Tad’s SmartRide Rx saddles, my horses walk into the vet check at pulse; they are comfortable, their heart rate and respiration are low, they stay incredibly hydrated, and their backs feel good,” she said.
These photos are from a 25 mile ride in Pennsylvania that took just 3.5 hours, but Elizabeth said for the 50 mile rides it’s not unusual for her to be done in 5-7 hours. For the 100 mile rides, it’s more typically 14-17 hours, although 24 hours are allowed for competitors to finish. “So, for that length of time, your saddle has got to work for your horse and it has got to work for you,” Elizabeth said. “We are in constant pursuit of making sure things are SO perfect. What was good enough to be comfortable for the length of time of a dressage test, for example, is maybe no longer good enough when you’re in the saddle for long distance rides.”
Horses in Elizabeth’s program have received overall high vet scores many times, but the High Vet Score she is most proud of was from the Old Dominion ride this year, and she spoke of a horse in her program that had trouble with muscle cramping in his back at a ride earlier in the season. “Then we got her in one of Tad’s SmartRide Rx saddles and she won the High Vet Score at OD! We were over the moon about that. I would say that since starting with Tad’s latest technology we have noticed a marked decrease in cramping.”
No matter how far you want to ride, if you’re curious to learn more, give Tad a call at (434)989-3229.