Grueling 80-Mile Horse Race Demands More Than Speed | National Geographic

In the world of endurance horse racing, rider and trainer Pedro Pablo Gomez knows his animals need more than speed to finish a race. He treats his horses like professional athletes, emphasizing “rest and repair.” Gomez lived for a decade in Jordan, where he learned to understand the lives of the famed Arabian horses.
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Read more about this challenging endurance race:
goo.gl/cNqT36
PRODUCTION: Tres Tercios
VIDEOGRAPHERS: Francisco Rodríguez and Jeremy Hatcher
SOUND: Max Scheleff
EDITOR: Daniela Camino
COLORIST: Felipe Bello
SOUND EDITOR: Andrel Uribe
MUSIC: Chilleminor Piano
Grueling 80-Mile Horse Race Demands More Than Speed | National Geographic
• Grueling 80-Mile Horse...
National Geographic
/ natgeo

[@lucasa1849]

To any non-horse people out there. He's not using the whip to hit or scare the horse. He's using it to desensitize her to loud sounds and big movements. At first it scares her, but she relises it's not going to hurt her and relaxes in the end. she's thinking instead of reacting. Lot's of desensitizing builds a confident horse that trusts it's human and doesn't get scared easily.

[@Ricobaca]

So.

[@Jefferdaughter]

There are endurance races in the USA, including The Tevis Cup- 100 miles over the Continental Divide. Veterinarians examine the horses at checkpoints to ensure their safety. It is an amazing event!

[@SaraNightfire1]

Whips are used to never hit the horse, he was using it to get the horse desensitized to the noise and look of the whip. I actually have ridden at several stables where a whip was used like this, no one touched the horse with it except one and I left after that to never return. He could've used anything, but whips are usually used to desensitize them as it's the easiest aid for a horse to understand. Especially since using a plastic bag sounds like a rattlesnake, the last thing you want a horse to associate with sacking out. You're riding a horse for miles in terrain with mountains, woods, etc. A flock of birds flies by, a deer runs by, a rock slide happens. Without this training, the horse panics and bolts, this can lead to severe injury to death, especially on rough terrain. He needs this training to get the horse to the point where she learns if something like this happens, she can trust him to handle it. She doesn't need to panic, he will make sure the horse will make it through. This is vital when you have a high fight or flight animal you're trying to control, which horses are. Also, everyone at the end: They're vets, they check the horses for injuries, exhaustion, problems breathing, and other issues. Horses need to be in TOP shape to finish these rides, if they don't, they're penalized or disqualified. If there were any injuries or scars on the horse (which would happen from constant use of the whip) it would have raised a lot of questions.

[@edro3838]

“The main rule in endurance is that the horse finishes the race.” I like that statement!!

[@mysmallpetshop8481]

This horse is absolutely stunning !

[@junito1957]

great video!! thanks for posting this for a horse owner

[@AlySweetstreet]

this is beautiful work

[@robynj.garrett2306]

Well done!!

[@soniaflores3497]

Good job!

[@briannameighan4943]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@bronwynansara2049]

I went endurance ridding once and it is very different from eventing I loved it and now when ever I go to my aunts farm I do a bit of endurance but only like 8 km but it is still amazing

[@victorialazareva]

8 km is a hack not endurance lol

[@kellythurston3028]

Congratulations. You are a good trainer. I love this professional sport.

[@jett888]

Is it considered "professional"?? I'm pretty sure it's for the love of the sport- not sure much money is made unless you are competing in the UAE- FEI competitions- it's a whole 'nuther game there. The horse is NOT the priority and often times, many die during these races.

[@thatonedog819]

@@jett888 endurance is an FEI sport

[@FM-uj6zr]

@@jett888 it is (the horse) the priority, and theres gates, which allow checkups on the horses to see if they can continue the race, so it is very professional. (in the uae)

[@jett888]

@@FM-uj6zr yes, I'm aware- I was an endurance rider- competed for many years in Ride & Tie and Endurance⚘

[@vividmagicaj4773]

At first I was mad cause I thought they were mistreating the horse... But really it's amazing what he has done to the amazing horse

[@RenderedB312]

I know!! I was worried at first, but fell in love with the way the ran things

[@vividmagicaj4773]

+iRebelRider: CO yes I know I was about to cry but then o saw them handle the horse very nicely and they looked like there were having fun

[@pomobiica9146]

The horse isn't hurt at all, this is called desensitising, how else do you think horses become bombproof?

[@vividmagicaj4773]

yes i understand that

[@jett888]

There is no such thing as a "bomb proof" horse- or if anybody thinks there is they are probably going to get hurt. The "Desensitizing" could also be considered "Flooding" where you just teach the horse to become apathetic- and now his spirit and way of thinking is disturbed. I'd rather create a horse that has total trust in me, as a decisive leader, and i anything that could cause a sudden reaction in the horse materializes, the horse will first look to me for direction. It's a team effort- not a dominating one.

[@1Fresh_Water]

really interesting

[@3OFAKINDHACEESA]

AWESOME 💯

[@ENDURANCEHORSERACING]

pedro.... super rider good training

[@kapaul9922]

A good pure hotblood breed like marwari, arabian, akhal teke with such training can beat them easy.

[@nancyelis4548]

I absolutely loved getting to know the training rituals for these amazing horses. I love horses!!!!

[@briannamundwiller7500]

Very good horsemen!

[@clalalalalalala]

This beautiful horse seems to be an akhal tekè! Very beautiful and rare breed!

[@goosesayhonk]

its an arabian

[@GetToTheFarm]

Such freaking out about the whip, no doubt the trainer spent more time with the mare than seen on the doc, editors just cut the show together to fit the time allowed.. so editor would choose "freaked out" footage and then "acceptance" footage.

[@hicx8734]

I hate to be that person but he let off the on pressure on the horse when it was still jumping around but the end result was still good🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@brucerobbins3584]

Beautiful Arabian stallions

[@muhammadisaq2505]

' uuhbn

[@dino1965]

Akhal Teke !!

[@jessblack8608]

no its not.

[@abdelmokit]

Almost every single racing horse today has Arabian bloodline running in it, otherwise there is no chance it could endure racing.

[@NinaR860]

Disagree. Yes, most breeds have arabian blood in them but Akhal Tekes are very good endurance horses as well. They do have a very similar build I'm sure they are related in one way or another. If that horse is one I can't tell, but I'd like to think so.

[@deschwa92]

The horse shown has akhal teke in its blood. Just look at the neck.

[@jett888]

wow- well, if your attitude is about dominating the animal then I suppose this works. I personally, have never had to jerk my horses neck with a lasso or whip (by proxy) the fear out of it. Just a very different attitude about animals. I do appreciate how the grey drops her head and rounds out during the round pen work- she reminds me a lot of my own grey.

[@vividmagicaj4773]

ok.

[@lightning6778]

Is that an Arabian?If it is that explains why he one,they’re not the fastest but they have the most endurance out of any horse in the world and will win any long race with any horse.

[@KaregoAt]

I really wouldn't have rushed that whip desensitization that much, the horse should really be quite calm during all of it. You're not supposed to start by making a lot of noise and big movements, but I do like his lunging. No tack, no whip, just him and his body language directing the horse, as it should be. The horse was a bit too nervous for my liking, and it was too much like chasing the horse instead of lunging it, but I've definitely seen worse. He needs to work on his hands though, way too hard if he insist on using a bit, especially for a horse that sensitive.

[@krymespree20evers28]

he wasnt lunging he was training. he had the rope for control

[@KaregoAt]

KrymeSpree20 Evers Whatever you want to call it, I liked it. I'm not a native English speaker so I'm really not familiar with all the terms.

[@hrsgrl16]

+KrymeSpree20 Evers KaregoAt is correct, its called "free lunging" as well as "round-penning," and lunging is a form of training, used when a round pen in unavailable

[@RenderedB312]

Hey, it didn't say that it was a brand new horse. Plus, I like his idea with the whip desensitization, so the horse can understand that even when you have a loud and scary object, they can trust you.

[@KaregoAt]

+iRebelRider: CO Yes, but the correct technique is to start slow and get the horse comfortable with the whip gradually. It can work with just starting with high intensity, but there's also a good chance that you'll mess the horse up. He'll be even more scared of the whip and you have to do more work to get him to calm down.

[@Rameshchennai-gl2ge]

I give tip

[@user-bq8hq8er8x]

ابي حصان

[@h.almoammar2273]

عبدالله آل عبدالله ونعم

[@mirtarogina6942]

He dont use a whip i like that and he dont put drugs on the horse i love thise tipe of race i now that the all races horse abuse but this is litle bit better

[@dilhindusthani9062]

horse name moro

[@DonVergas-100]

Trainers name

[@Kabr-tv7ii]

which breed are this horse ?

[@karro2648]

sun shine Arabian horses

[@geo-politicaltamil6674]

What breed horse is that ??

[@learningexperimentwithasht4003]

Arabian

[@randomplayer5466]

STEEL BALL RUN IRL

[@kato2531]

Three must have for a man Good horse, Good dog, and a good woman.

[@DinaZorz]

+lin juan What?

[@jett888]

and good cerveza!

[@hicx8734]

That's all I need in life😂🤙🏽

[@dannyboy1451]

Lol couldn't agree with you more !!

[@ayswavey]

cracking a whip to "train" a horse does nothing to benefit it other than desensitizing the horse to a whip, utterly useless

[@jarnodatema]

I like how he respects the animal, but isnt a bleeding heart vegan about it

[@teej783]

For some reason people freak out when Clinton Anderson uses the same techniques.

[@llamainvasion2462]

Bc Clinton actually hits his horses & hyperflexes them regularly. Clinton trains his horses by fear note trust. This horse trusted his rider.

[@jett888]

and they are afraid his wife will start working the animals next - what a train wreck

[@jofoster8603]

could it be Clinton Anderson makes a training package for idiots and sells it for stupid prices. People like Pablo not only do it for free, they see people who need mentoring and help them, not ask for their credit card number.

[@juliamartinez-ig5jd]

teejay Trujillo Clinton Anderson is worse

[@innail9162]

Clinton Anderson is horrible

[@edenh6268]

I think this is cruel, unfair the the horse. But it still is a wonderful thing to see when you see the horses beauty.

[@simsinfo8642]

It’s cruel to let them run? Okay

[@mirtarogina6942]

But all that people is too big for that horse

[@sandyhdndnd7503]

tirani je vuhblej

[@narukosama2879]

schleich konici a sso nauč se psát

[@phillipweissburg1882]

Probably arabian horses.

[@weddingtonjnr627]

cmon who beats their child when the police is there or child law giver is presesnt lol that whip is used lol behind closed doors heheheheheh !!! interview that horse alone it will tell ya !

[@SaraNightfire1]

All trainers use the whip around horses, it's an aid to desensitize the horse to the noise and sight of the whip. Only idiots actually hit the horse with it. It helps horses learn not to be afraid, especially if the handler is around because the handler will keep the situation under control for them. It's vital to learn especially on a ride where random things can suddenly appear out of nowhere and cause them to spook.

[@sonseere10]

Selfish sport. Hard on the long term health of the horses.

[@Weeblewobb]

+sonseere10 Did you watch the video with your eyes closed and on mute? He explains how he takes immense care of the creature with up most love and respect.

[@EnduranceHorseMT]

+sonseere10 Actually the most esteemed awards we have here in US endurance are for longevity of the horse - we aim for many happy years with our horses. And as mentioned in the video "Best Condition" (at the end of the ride) is the most coveted reward at any ride. Even just to get a completion, the horse has to finish in "fit to continue" shape and there are multiple vet checks before, during and after every ride checking heart rate, hydration, muscle tone and other factors. I hope you will visit a ride some time, you might just change your mind on this. I started endurance with my horse because she always wanted to boogie, she is never happier than at a ride with lots of horse friends cruising the trails.

[@minabateman3973]

If it was such a selfish sport I doubt they would mention how they take immense care of the horses

[@sonseere10]

You will not see a horse in the wild go through such extreme exertion for extended periods. It is selfish for people to do so.

[@sonseere10]

I hope you are right. Arabians especially need to be monitored closely by the rider. The Arabian horse will run to the death if allowed.

[@skyesthelimit2680]

i hate this guy he cut the horses mane off whats the reason for that. there is none so why would you do it if you don't want the mane in the way you can always braid it. and he should have gotten the horse use to the whip before cracking it by rubbing the whip on them and letting them smell it then when they are no longer afraid of it then crack the whip. that horse was way to nervous and could have hurt himself or the human. and when you are doing something like that don't keep a halter and lead rope on the horse let it have somewhere to go it lets the horse know if it gets to scared it can back away and its ok having a halter and lead rope on the horse makes it more scared and think that it has no where to go

[@jaywalker5017]

It's his horse he can do what he wants, and the horse is obviously fine

[@hrsgrl16]

+Skyes thelimit even with the rubbing, cracking a whip is a scary thing, especially the first time when you don't know its coming. and if the horse was allowed to leave he would be teaching her to run from her fears instead of asking her rider what to do, which could lead to dangerous situations if a loud noise happens on a bridge, for example. the rider lets her move, but the scary thing doesn't go away until she is calm and still. and a mane traps unwanted heat, cutting it off has no ill effects for the horse, its just an aesthetic thing for the humans.

[@skyesthelimit2680]

hrsgrl16 horses main helps keep them warm and helps water run off look it up and i have trained horses before and if they are afraid of whips rub them on the horse in stead of cracking it all around the horse giving it a heart attack. its a much faster way and keeps the horse calmer

[@hrsgrl16]

you see that they're in a desert right? heat is the last thing you want there, and no amount of rubbing is gonna make a very loud sound not scary, even to a human. if you don't know its coming, which a horse won't the first time, it'll make you jump. same with the horse. this mare was spooky in her stable as well, so it stands to reason that she would have a more explosive reaction to desensitising at first

[@skyesthelimit2680]

hrsgrl16 thats why you also crack the whip but not after they are use to it. and yes i'm not blind