All Weather Gallops

[catcat]

Hi - I have been out of the horse world for 30 years and finding it difficult to find my feet again. Please can anyone recommend a gallops that I can hire out near to Lichfield? I would also really like some advise on what to do when I get there. I want to have some fun at the same time as improving my horses fitness. Any advise information would be gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I can’t help with the gallops in your area but I take mine during the winter when there’s little opportunity to canter because of the ground. The horses are fit enough but I always start on the oval with a full walk of the circuit to warm them up. I then start interval trotting, so trot the long side, walk the round, trot the next long side and so on until they are really warmed up and then I take them on to the hill gallop. Trot the flat part and then move them up a gear as we go up hill. Walk back down then give them another canter up.

Just make sure the surface is a good one with no holes or ruts and it isn’t to deep. Warm up well, cool down slowly and if there isn’t water available take some with buckets and sponges for drinking and washing off afterwards. Always pick up any poo your horse has deposited either on the gallop or next to your box and don’t tie haynets to the outside and spread hay everywhere.

Have fun ?

 

[catcat]

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. As soon as I can get to the gallops i will follow this to the letter! ?

 

[phizz4]

The only ones I know of in the Lichfield area is Hollinsheads in Upper Longdon. I don't know if they hire them out.