AB: In an attempt to reduce morbidity, an additional veterinary examination is performed at the end of the hold time (the Recovery Check (RC)) of the last vet gate of all long distance endurance rides held in France. At the RC, a normal FEI-type inspection is performed combined with a cardiac recovery index (CRI): the heart rate is taken before (HR< sub>0) and 1 min after (HR< sub>1) the horse trotted for 30 m out and back. Results from 12 (130 and 160 km long) rides and based on 489 horses were analysed. Of all RC performed, 10.4% lead to elimination of the horses and lameness was the most frequent reason (45%). Among horses allowed to continue in the ride, elimination rate was significantly higher in horses with HR< sub>0>=60/min compared to horses with HR< sub>0<60. High CRI (HR< sub>1-HR< sub>0>=4) lead to greater disqualification rates only when HR< sub>0 was more than 60/min. RC appears to be useful in the assessment of a horse's fitness. However, standardization of the examination is necessary in order to optimize its use.