Okay, I need to confess up front that I am always gung ho for great experiences and new adventures, even if it comes with a price of pain or discomfort. I am sort of the "only live once" type. That is why I agreed to spend a full day riding horseback in Rocky Mountain National Park. When I finally made the arrangements I was told inexperienced riders would be fine but would likely be pretty sore from it... I was okay with that. I was already committed to 3-days of horseback touring in Montana, anyway, for work.

I did do a four hour ride in Belize a few years back and was fine. I do not recall any great discomfort or pain... at least not enough to impair my trip. This is about twice as long, however... with three more days later in the week.

My question is -- What are some tips/suggestions from experienced riders out there on how to prevent soreness, pain, or chafing???

I already assume the best advice is learning to ride properly. Believe me, I am motivated to pay super close attention to the guide/instructor who is joining us.

The advice I have been given most frequently by others is: cancel the ride. You are crazy. I may be crazy, but I also think it will be a great experience since I have no idea when I will ever see that part of the country again.

So, given that I'll do all I can to learn proper technique and that I am crazy enough to go through with it... what other tips do riders have?

I already plan to have footwear with a good heel on it, which I am told is quite important. I have also heard suggestions that I wear my cycling shorts under the jeans, use baby powder, petroleum jelly, or other ointments. Do people find these work? Are there other suggestions?

I appreciate all your help and advice. I know I will not prevent the soreness 100%, or even close to it, but would like to keep my odds of walking (or driving) the next day as high as possible. Thanks again! =D

my advise is to ride like you did in Belize...If you rode for four hours without soreness the next day you should be able to do eight...Don't learn how to ride properly because when you ride properly you use muscles you don't seem to use on a daily basis..This is when you get sore..I ride three or four times a week and would be sore if I went on an eight hour ride..Stretch and walk it off if you get sore...Enjoy!

A lot may depend on the saddle and riding style. I used to ride 3 times a week with an English saddle - balance seat equitation. A lot of our control of the horse was with our thighs. We even practiced riding without stirrups. I imagine a western saddle might be more comfortable and relaxing esp if you aren't doing a lot of trotting/posting. I always wore jeans. A lot probably depends on your current level of exercise. Do NOT cancel the ride. If you get sore, you'll get over it. If you cancel, I don't think you would ever get over missing out on this great experience.

if you can start strecting the inner thigh muscles by laying on your back, knees bent, then open them to the sides slowly, each day wider and wider, this may relieve some of the ache from sitting with your legs so spread for 8 hours.

be sure not to arch your back at all while doing this. force your back flat on the floor, chin a bit towards your chest.

enjoy! sounds like a beautiful experience.

i would find jeans restrictive, and the seams can sometimes dig into you.

seemless trousers are better.. maybe with a little lycra. but since yiu are doing several days of necessary riding later, perhaps you can invest in some decent inexpensive riding trousers.

your lower body needs to be comfortable with nothing digging into you.

Thanks for the great responses so far. I certainly do not plan to cancel the ride. As you said, even if I am sore I will get over it and survive. I am a firm believer that the pleasure is often worth the pain. I have already been running, stretching, and doing leg exercises... just to get ready a few weeks before going. I will try the stretching mentioned here. As for riding style, I am pretty sure that it will be Western. Also, it has been made clear already that the horse only walks. The guide we had claimed that going faster than a walk was against the rules of Rocky Mountain National Park, anyway.

Thanks again for the suggestions posted and any more that may come in! =)

~~I was already committed to 3-days of horseback touring in Montana, anyway, for work.~~

wow, wish I had a job where I 'had' to tour on horseback.

Eat lots of bananas! (Sounds like a fun trip!)

I think a lot also depends on age and your fitness and flexiblity level.

I grew up on the back of a horse, however, I don't ride everyday anymore since I moved from Fla. When I do go home and ride with the family, I'm sore for several days. The same thing happens when I go bowling twice a year. There are some muscles you use when riding a horse that you just don't use otherwise.

I'm always fine wearing jeans. I wear a pair of mens 501 Levi's that are cut looser than womens. Riding boots with a slight heel is also a good idea. Remember to stretch when you stop for breaks, especially your lower back and inner thighs and take some advil or motrin after your ride if you can. The only time I have ever gotten chafed, was when I was riding a chubby pregnant horse, bareback while wearing shorts (I was a teen.)

Of course if you are 30 or younger, you probably won't have any worries.

Have great time!

Don't know about chafing - can;t imagine how that happens unless you're wearing shorts or pants that don;t fit properly at all.

When riding - even Western, never mind English, you use muscles you don;t often otherwise - and it will hurt. Your best option is to start using them now (can you take some riding lessons where you are - to get your muscles a little acclimatized.

The other key thing is to make sure the leaders know how inexperienced you are and that they give you an appropriate (very calm and cooperative) horse. When you get the horse ask if it has any special habits - so you can take account of it.

Also - do learn how to use the reins properly. In seeing novice riders they often seem to think the reins are to help them stay on the horse. And they often either pull so hard on the reins that the horse's head is pulled back - and the animal thinks they want it to back up - or are so loose that they have no control at all.

As for clothing - make sure it is comfortable, the shoes have enough of a heel to hold the stirrup, and the pants aren't super tight - or so loose that they bunch up (that may cause chafing).

Which stable are you riding with? And do you know where the all-day ride takes you in the park?

I ask because most stables start outside the park and must go through the national forest before actually hitting the RMNP boundary, and then travel along some not-so exciting trails to get to more interesting terrain. Having done a 3-hour trail ride and a fair amount of hiking in RMNP, I can say that hiking will get you to more spectacular destinations than any trail ride, and on your time schedule, not theirs. It sounds like you're expecting a great adventures, when the truth is it might be a bit of a letdown depending on which trip you're actually on.

That's not to say you should cancel entirely, but I would opt for a shorter ride and give yourself some time to see the park other than on horseback. Keep in mind that summer brings almost daily afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains.

As for riding comfort, I didn't experience any chafing, just lots of soreness in my hips especially from the unnatural position I was in for that long. My partner's knees were very sore, but that was mostly due to his stirrups being adjusted incorrectly, so make absolutely sure they are 1) the same length and 2) the right length. If you do choose to stick with the all-day ride, I'm sure you'll have several breaks, including a longer lunch break, so total riding time is likely to be closer to 6 hours than 8 (which is what I assume is all-day).