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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

1305.0. "Conditioning under saddle" by WEDOIT::NANCY () Thu Jul 12 1990 14:42

    
    Hi, 
    	Once the horse has been conditioned for riding from the ground,
    (longing etc.) what timetables and gaits should be introduced under
    saddle to condition the horse for a 1-2 hours of ring work daily?
    
    Starting with walking, how long should the sessions be to begin
    with and how rapidly can I increase the sessions?
    
    When can I add some trotting to the program?
    
    Where does cantering and loping come into the picture?
    
    If I could have some suggestions from other peoples programs to
    help me decide on a program that will strengthen my horse well
    enough to prevent possible injuries, I and the horses would be 
    grateful.
    
    Thanks, Nancy
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1305.1SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME TO MEASABET::NICKERSONKATHIE NICKERSON 223-2025Thu Jul 12 1990 15:0813
    Just my suggestion but one to two hours of ring work a day sounds like
    a great deal of ring work...I would be afraid that the horse would
    become very dull.  Even the one I have in show training doesn't work
    that long in the ring.  
    
    May I suggest you speak to some of the trainers for Arabs, Nancy, and
    see how they do their conditioning.  Arabs have a tendency to get board
    very quickly from the experience I have had with them.
    
    If you want some contacts, please give me a call.
    
    Good luck
    
1305.2Let the horse tell youPFSVAX::PETHCritter kidsFri Jul 13 1990 15:1314
    I agree about the ring work, my horse gets 1 hour a week in the ring.
    The rest is spent out on the trails. Trail riding can be very valuable
    training time, we work on bending, flexion, and collection, while going
    down the trail. The terrain determines what you can do. As far as
    conditioning, the horse can guide you. Watch how they sweat, and out of
    condition horse will be foamy and smell bad when they get hot. A
    conditioned horse will sweat clear and not smell. I always start with
    slow walks quitting when the horse gets hot. Build from there as far as
    speed and distance, always quitting when the horse starts to tire.
    There is no set formula, different breeds and different horses within a
    breed will do more exercise on their own, and be able to do more
    faster. To little is better than too much, attitude of the horse is
    determined by how hard he is pushed.