Introduction & Challenge Setup

• Vlad A4, Glent, Serega attempt 24-hour horse riding challenge
• Challenge idea from subscriber
• Participants have minimal horse experience:
  • Vlad: rode horse 3 times, sat on back, did prank with horses
  • Glent: only drove horse carriage with hay
  • Serega: played "horse fighting" game in school
• Coach Natasha introduced: 10 years equestrian sport experience
• Explains equestrian sport = team sport, results depend on rider + horse

Hobbyhorsing Warm-up Race

• Pre-riding activity using hobby horses to simulate horse movement
• Race format: reach finish line first to determine horse selection order
• Vlad wins race but would receive 8 penalty points for knocking down 2 poles
• Winner gets first pick of horses

Horse Selection & Introduction

• Stable tour for horse selection
• Vlad (winner) selects Monplaisir: serious-looking horse
• Glent chooses Milky Way: described as "Donkey from Shrek reborn as horse," costs 300 grand, mare born 2004
• Serega picks Cohen (nicknamed "Coin"): 10-year-old stallion, considered most disobedient/frisky
• Additional horses shown: Russian Lord, Likhva (born 2004, velvety texture)
• Horse friendship technique: give treats (sugar, carrots)

Basic Riding Instruction

• Mounting technique using steps:
  • Climb steps with both feet
  • Hold two reins
  • Left foot in stirrup
  • Push with right foot, throw leg over
• Basic commands:
  • Go: push horse's sides with both legs
  • Stop: pull reins with both hands, move shoulders back
• Bit mechanism explained: iron piece in mouth creates pressure/slight pain to signal stop
• Voice commands used initially for training

Trotting Training

• Trotting = speed between walking and galloping
• Technique: get up during trotting, move pelvis forward, sit down slowly
• Rhythm: up-down motion synchronized with horse movement
• Proper form: stirrups on toes, heels down, weight on heels, curl butt
• All participants struggle with timing and rhythm
• Coach emphasizes using inner hip muscles to stay in saddle

Galloping Demonstration

• Coach demonstrates galloping at 12-18 mph
• Described as "super dusty and super fast"
• Participants observe from ground for safety

Flag Race Competition

• Timed race to retrieve flag and return
• Results:
  • Glent (Milky Way): 1:08
  • Serega (Likhva): 51 seconds
  • Vlad (Monplaisir): 46 seconds (winner)
• Vlad wins due to riding stallion (more responsive)

Horse Care - Feeding

• Feeding schedule: horses eat 7 times daily
• Rations per feeding:
  • Sugar: maximum 5 pieces
  • Carrots: 2-3 pieces
  • Oats: small measured portion
• Feeding technique: hold treats in flat palm, stretch hand out
• Horses have strong bite force, large teeth
• Fed additional horses including foal and other stable horses

Stable Maintenance

• Poop removal from stalls using wheelbarrow and shovel
• Technique: shake hay to separate poop, conserve hay (costs money)
• Water dispenser system: horse pushes with snout to activate
• Horses removed from stalls during cleaning

Horse Grooming

• Spa treatment for horses
• Tools: scratch brush for body, special brush for mane
• Hoof cleaning demonstrated (referenced viral TikTok video with 20M likes)
• Horses enjoy grooming, can become very relaxed

Conclusion & Reflection

• Participants completed: riding, feeding, cleaning, grooming
• Learned basic walking technique only
• Acknowledged years of training needed for jumping/advanced skills
• Challenge demonstrates complexity of equestrian sport beyond just riding