Am i old fashioned

[Jellymoon]

I have noticed that the modern eventers don’t seem to do the long slow hacking we used to do back in the day. They seem to spend more time in the arena, and a 45 min hack is deemed enough.
We used to fitten the eventers in a similar way to the hunters with lots of hacking for up to 2 hours several times a week, walk/trot/canter over varied terrains. The hunters would get the summer in the field (getting very fat which probably wasn’t good!) and then start walking in July. The eventers would get the autumn//winter in the field and start walking in Jan.
And we really did walk for weeks, riding and leading, it was SO boring and I used to get a sore bum.
I recall all events were off for one month in the summer when the ground was likely to be hardest - August was it?
Anyway, horses were certainly fit, but I honestly couldn’t say whether they had more or less injuries than now. I recall lots of tendons being ‘done’. And navicular was a big thing. Ulcers and kissing spines unheard of, but lots of bucking and cold backs!

 

[Spotherisk]

I have noticed that the modern eventers don’t seem to do the long slow hacking we used to do back in the day. They seem to spend more time in the arena, and a 45 min hack is deemed enough.
We used to fitten the eventers in a similar way to the hunters with lots of hacking for up to 2 hours several times a week, walk/trot/canter over varied terrains. The hunters would get the summer in the field (getting very fat which probably wasn’t good!) and then start walking in July. The eventers would get the autumn//winter in the field and start walking in Jan.
And we really did walk for weeks, riding and leading, it was SO boring and I used to get a sore bum.
I recall all events were off for one month in the summer when the ground was likely to be hardest - August was it?
Anyway, horses were certainly fit, but I honestly couldn’t say whether they had more or less injuries than now. I recall lots of tendons being ‘done’. And navicular was a big thing. Ulcers and kissing spines unheard of, but lots of bucking and cold backs!

Was that when long format was still in place? I remember seeing horses at Badminton run up very light but hard and fit, ready for roads and tracks, steeplechase, before the xc- eventers do seem to carry a lot more flesh these days.

 

[Kaylum]

My Clyde was fit we usually did 10 miles a day at a good pace. It was his normal workload and that was only light work. We were fit and ready for pleasure rides and a bit of jumping.

 

[scats]

This reminds me recently on someone I know through FB who made a big fuss earlier in the year about a young horse needing to retire because of injury. Horse duly went out to live. Three months later, a big announcement that it was a miracle and horse had been declared fully fit by vet to return to work. Within 3 weeks it was at camp jumping, cross country etc.
A couple of weeks after returning from camp, it was fully retired again. Weird.

 

[Jellymoon]

Was that when long format was still in place? I remember seeing horses at Badminton run up very light but hard and fit, ready for roads and tracks, steeplechase, before the xc- eventers do seem to carry a lot more flesh these days.

Yes, it was, they were almost as fit as racehorses I would say. I managed one long format before it was ditched, and I could see why they needed to be that fit, was seriously hard work and even though I thought I had done all the prep I still had to carry my horse round the last third of the xc.
God, I feel old!

 

[Upthecreek]

Mine always have December off. They are eventing fit up to the end of October then let down slowly in November before their month off. They really benefit from this break and don’t lose much fitness really, so are easy to get going again in January.

I do think many riders underestimate the fitness level required for horses to perform well and not pick up stress/strain injuries.

 

[Ratface]

The care and management of horses is, in my opinion, often jeopardised by their human associates' view that human needs/wants trump those of their mounts.
There are a myriad of reasons why this may be.

 

[Xmas lucky]

I think people are to quick to jude it’s unhealthy for a horse to be ridden for 6 days a week for years without a few weeks break.

 

[SOS]

People definitely do this. I used to find it frustrating that I had a string of broken horses when I rehabbed, fittened and looked after them properly when others would never ride then go to a camp or hammer over a hard XC course etc and have seemingly sound horses for years. I now realise it’s more likely ignorance is bliss for them in both their wrong doing and soundness.

I have had eye rolls and comments to the fact I walk for 4 weeks, trot for 4, canter for 4 weeks to get fit enough to do hound exercise/autumn hunting. They are ridden around 4-5 times a week and no more, don’t touch a school until their fairly fit (circles on unfit horses aren’t my idea of safe) and don’t get jumped until they are cantering fit. Some poles in walk/trot once or twice a week. People have said it’s excessive and/or that the horses don’t need it but I like to feel I have done all I can to keep my horses safe and sound.

 

[skint1]

I think it's probably something that has always happened in certain cases. Sometimes people don't know any better and don't want to know, some people don't care. I realise it must be frustrating for people who have done it all the right way and still end up with a broken horse whilst some clueless twit seems to get away with it, but you also never know who might see you that way, or why. It's best to try to stick to your own lane so to speak, no one ever sees the light about anything til they are ready to see it.

 

[palo1]

People definitely do this. I used to find it frustrating that I had a string of broken horses when I rehabbed, fittened and looked after them properly when others would never ride then go to a camp or hammer over a hard XC course etc and have seemingly sound horses for years. I now realise it’s more likely ignorance is bliss for them in both their wrong doing and soundness.

I have had eye rolls and comments to the fact I walk for 4 weeks, trot for 4, canter for 4 weeks to get fit enough to do hound exercise/autumn hunting. They are ridden around 4-5 times a week and no more, don’t touch a school until their fairly fit (circles on unfit horses aren’t my idea of safe) and don’t get jumped until they are cantering fit. Some poles in walk/trot once or twice a week. People have said it’s excessive and/or that the horses don’t need it but I like to feel I have done all I can to keep my horses safe and sound.

The fittening of horses is really interesting. There are lots of different ways of getting there. The Kikuli method, one of the oldest would probably give us all the heeby jeebies but it is still relevant and certainly worked in it's time... I have understood from some endurance training that if you want to say, ride 20 miles in w/t/c at the weekend then you should aim to do that total in the week (across 2 or 3 rides) at the same pace/intensity. If you do more than necessary then you are potentially just putting more miles on your horse's legs which I think is worth bearing in mind. I find it difficult when people tell me that they are riding every day, probably doing the same work every time and that their horse is 'fit' as generally speaking to achieve fitness you have to increase speed/distance or intensity. Once you have achieved fitness for whatever is needed then really you don't need to keep banging the drum but every horse is different in how they maintain fitness. It is also worth bearing in mind that really fit horses have a higher risk of injury - possibly due to the condition they are in or the work they are doing. Over-fit horses can be a bit of a liability to themselves which is why traditionally it is good practice to let a horse down properly from a really fit state (rather than just chuck it in the field!). It may be due to the loss of riding schools and the general education around horses that has resulted in a real lack of knowledge sadly.

Here is a summary of the Kikuli method: it is fascinating!! http://imh.org/exhibits/online/lega...val” training,,sometimes numbered three a day.

 

[ycbm]

I have understood from some endurance training that if you want to say, ride 20 miles in w/t/c at the weekend then you should aim to do that total in the week (across 2 or 3 rides) at the same pace/intensity

I suspect that advice is for horses already doing 20 miles fairly regularly. I have read that before the first one they ever do, they should be gradually brought up to do 15 miles, before going for the 20 mile organised ride. Much like no marathon runner would consider running no more than 9 miles, three times in a week, to be adequate preparation for running 26 miles one weekend. . Once at full fitness and doing 20 miles comoetitively regularly, I can see that 3 x7 miles will be fine to keep the horse ticking over, but before that I'd think it was asking for trouble.
.

 

[palo1]

I suspect that advice is for horses already doing 20 miles fairly regularly. I have read that before the first one they ever do, they should be gradually brought up to do 15 miles, before going for the 20 mile organised ride. Much like no marathon runner would consider running no more than 9 miles, three times in a week, to be adequate preparation for running 26 miles one weekend. . Once at full fitness and doing 20 miles comoetitively regularly, I can see that 3 x7 miles will be fine to keep the horse ticking over, but before that I'd think it was asking for trouble.
.

Of course. I think the principle with endurance is that because the horses are working relatively hard even at a low competitive level, it is far more more common to do 'less' and even strive to do as little as possible to keep horses ticking over.

 

[LEC]

And sometimes modern science has proven the old ways are nonsense.

on the taking a horse hunting at weekends. Wouldn’t have an issue as long as it was fit and being turned out for 8 hours a day in a decent sized field. It’s been proven horses stay fit for 6 weeks if turned out and only really see the drops in fitness after 3 weeks.

But in the whole I agree with sentiments of this post. I see it all the time, and think oh well keeps the vet in business when they finally see that their horse is lame or sore. I do find it astonishing how few people can identify hind limb lameness.

 

[scruffyponies]

Makes a huge difference whether they are standing in a stall all week, or turned out in a herd on hilly, boggy ground having to work hard just to get around the place, and roaming a fair bit.

If the latter, they'd probably go hunting right out of the field no problem.

 

[Widgeon]

I don’t think it’s a trend. a lot of folk are spread very thinly trying to afford their horse and upkeep and fit in what they can. in fact, I had a clinic the other day with a lady who’s horse wasn’t fit enough to fully participate but it was good experience going out having a look at things and the instructor adjusted her needs slightly from the rest of the group. This is likely what many are doing! winter is a crap time of year if you are juggling kids, horses, working and topping that off with a lack of facilities for some. most people don’t deliberately set out to knacker their horses up.

Absolutely this. I don't know anyone who would do what you're describing - anyway if you keep a horse living out most of the time in a reasonable sized field surely they ought to retain enough fitness to pop round a course of little fences occasionally?

ETA - I have now read the comments and maybe this is a "thing" among some people who hunt? That said, the few people I know who hunt are quite careful about getting / keeping their horses fit. I suppose there are idiots in every walk of life though, perhaps I'm just lucky that I don't know many of them.

 

[Widgeon]

I dropped one family because of what they expected me to do in lessons with their daughter and very unfit pony, who was never going to get any fitter on the 23 hours stabled regime and then being ragged round a school.

23 hours stabled? Mind boggling really.

 

[Steerpike]

I do at least 4 weeks walking before I start to do anything else, for my endurance rides I also aim to do half the distance in the 3rd or 2nd week before the ride then the last week before the ride ease back with just some gentle work. They will have at least a day off for every 10km they do at a ride but I like to give an extra day or two. Once you get up to the bigger distances the older horses do hold their fitness better, having said that I do know people who think they can lunge or use a horse walker to get a horse fit for the bigger distances so it happens in all walks of the equestrian world!

 

[flying_high]

I think people are to quick to jude it’s unhealthy for a horse to be ridden for 6 days a week for years without a few weeks break.

You say people are quick to judge, and then go ahead and judge others. IMO it is unhealthy to work hard at anything 6 days a week.

Most skilled horse people I know that work horses six days a week alternate lighter and harder days, work different muscle groups on different days, have stretchy days and ground work days etc. And add variety.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

You say people are quick to judge, and then go ahead and judge others. IMO it is unhealthy to work hard at anything 6 days a week.

Most skilled horse people I know that work horses six days a week alternate lighter and harder days, work different muscle groups on different days, have stretchy days and ground work days etc. And add variety.

Yep. I technically do something with my horse 7 days a week November through May (turnout is quite limited in this area during that time, it's just "the way" here but is slightly improving). There's always one day that's a handwalk with OH and the dog, another that's a free lunge and groundwork/trick work session, he might get 2 of those a week depending on my motivation. Then we school our dressage (primary focus), mix in a day of pole work and have now started over very small jumps, then we might have a stretchy basic ride day, plus a hack. It's quite varied. We also trailer to clinics or trails, just somewhere else to ride or walk around. I generally don't school the same things 2 days in a row, but it depends. He's quite fit and isn't mentally sour off of this routine.

I do think just grabbing your horse that hasn't worked out of a field or stable and riding harder than you should is a thing here. There's also far too many horse standing in stables all of the time, and most are leisure horses in light work.

Many leisure time riders around here won't ride for weeks then grab their horse and spend 4 hours galloping around the forest ?

So it is a thing, might vary based on area. I think a well rounded steady routine is best. I do give my horse some more days off in the summer when he's on the field but he doesn't lose much fitness and it sort of counter balances the winter working.

 

[YorkshireLady]

I think this is also related to less hacking personally! Arena bound - 30 mins...different type of fitness.

I would also be linking it to fact most leisure horses are over weight! Exercise more...feed less... and in fact some long slow exercise as well...

 

[Annagain]

It's not always that black and white though. I've done very little with my boy recently due to life being a bit busy, not being able to co-ordinate with friends to have a hacking buddy and me lacking a bit of confidence which has meant I've not really wanted to do much. At the moment I can't build up the work, I need the lessons to get me going again so that I can do the rest of it happily. I've spent two months pottering down the lane (fooling myself that we're building our solo hacking confidence but really just avoiding going any further) once a week and then going into the school for about 10 minutes. The one time I had a hacking buddy I was recovering from a very nasty bout of food poisoning and could only manage a 20 minute loop on the road before feeling too weak to do more.

After giving myself a good talking to, I had a lesson yesterday. I was very aware neither of us was particularly fit and instructor also knew that. Partly due to fitness and partly due to my nerves we did a lot in walk and trot before introducing a small amount of canter at the end. We had lots of breaks and finished 5 minutes early when it was clear we'd both had enough. I felt this was totally appropriate for our levels of fitness and while I'd love to be out hacking to build it up it just doesn't suit us at the moment.

I'll add he's been out 24/7 until this last week and is still out 12 hours a day now. He's very active and playful in the field so he's not standing round doing nothing. He's a decent weight (could lose a little but that's a good thing at this time of year) and gets half a handful each of Fast Fibre and Re-leve to avoid incurring his wrath and him trashing his stable in protest at being starved. He has ad lib haylage, just got very angry at not getting a bucket!

Even if I could be out hacking, with working full time in a demanding job and lots of other commitments (particularly at this time of year) I don't always get to ride more than once or twice a week in winter. If I do ride in the week it's at 8am when our road is too busy to hack on so that's in the school anyway. I'm lucky that I have an arena at my yard but if people have no facilities and the hacking routes are slippery, boggy or under water, those lessons might be their only chance to do anything. We're all doing the best we can, often in difficult circumstances and as long as we recognise when it's time to stop and don't push our horses too far, I don't see a problem in lessons being the only riding in the short term.

 

[mini_b]

ETA - I have now read the comments and maybe this is a "thing" among some people who hunt? That said, the few people I know who hunt are quite careful about getting / keeping their horses fit. I suppose there are idiots in every walk of life though, perhaps I'm just lucky that I don't know many of them.

I was thinking same as you.
all those few that I know that hunt wouldn’t do this either.

 

[sportsmansB]

Yep. I technically do something with my horse 7 days a week November through May (turnout is quite limited in this area during that time, it's just "the way" here but is slightly improving). There's always one day that's a handwalk with OH and the dog, another that's a free lunge and groundwork/trick work session, he might get 2 of those a week depending on my motivation. Then we school our dressage (primary focus), mix in a day of pole work and have now started over very small jumps, then we might have a stretchy basic ride day, plus a hack. It's quite varied. We also trailer to clinics or trails, just somewhere else to ride or walk around. I generally don't school the same things 2 days in a row, but it depends. He's quite fit and isn't mentally sour off of this routine.

I do think just grabbing your horse that hasn't worked out of a field or stable and riding harder than you should is a thing here. There's also far too many horse standing in stables all of the time, and most are leisure horses in light work.

Many leisure time riders around here won't ride for weeks then grab their horse and spend 4 hours galloping around the forest ?

So it is a thing, might vary based on area. I think a well rounded steady routine is best. I do give my horse some more days off in the summer when he's on the field but he doesn't lose much fitness and it sort of counter balances the winter working.

I have to do this too. My horse hates going out in the field in the winter - he's not a fan of rain or mud and will just tramp up and down the fence line or do laps of death to come back in. Means I have to think of 6/7 days worth of stuff each and every week to keep him exercised and mentally stimulated. I will do a lunge day, a couple of hacks, a pole day, a flat school day and a jump day and maybe go jumping somewhere at the weekend. I don't do loads (25 mins ish per day, enough to stop him getting sharp but not so much that I'm putting much pressure on). In the summer we event so that contributes to overall fitness.
He is fitter than I want or need him to be since he can't really be let down, but I'd rather too fit than not fit enough. Hes also rising 17 with kissing spines so well muscled and appropriate riding is important.

 

[Tarragon]

I am old enough to have been brought up with the traditional (and Pony Club!) approaches to fitness, but it wasn't until I started running myself and realised how my own fitness levels improved over the weeks that it really made sense.
I think that many people confuse an anxious horse running on adrenaline, with a keen fit horse with lots of energy; they are definitely NOT the SAME!
I have vivid memories of a fairly novice family letting their pony-mad daughter take an unfit pony out hunting. The pony was apparently "keen" and ran all day, then it was brought back hot and bothered and not adequately cooled off and just put back in the stable and gone home. The livery owner had to get the family to come back and deal with this poor shivering and tucked up pony which had been left in a now cold and damp rug and too tired to eat.

 

[WelshD]

I see this a lot with children's ponies, not ridden in the week once winter sets in then people wonder why the pony's fitness, behaviour and schooling has slipped when they want it doing two or three classes at the weekend. It greatly annoys me when people think I have pulled a fit and ready pony out of my arse somehow.

My current pony reacts adversely to a break so we keep him ticking over all year round now but sessions go down to three times a week on average over winter.
I expect him to be fit enough to cope and have actually cancelled competitions where his little rider has not been able to do the work at home that week. When I didn't have access to a school he didn't compete.

 

[Tarragon]

I also think that the saying it takes 3 years to get a horse fully fit, but once it has reached that level of fitness, it won't take as long again if they have some time off probably has some truth in it.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think how you get horse's fit and maintain their fitness can be so individual & based on horse, rider and available facilities.

I've been advised by my vet that I work mine as often as possible and not to plan long rest period for him. Of course he gets time off somethings not right with him and days off if he's worked hard or found something mentally hard. He's a very good doer with a compromised metabolic system so even 'just' a 5km ride down the bridleway in an active, forward walk is going to be better than leaving him out in the field - where yes, he is still moving but not with the same energy, purpose and calorie consumption as out on a hack.

I obviously wouldn't just hack for 5km minutes in walk once a week and expect him to get fit to take him on a pleasure ride to canter most of it but used as part of a wider excercise plan, that walk can be more beneficial to him as a light day than not riding him.

I'm sure he'd quite happily retire tomorrow but despite being ridden some weeks almost daily - he's always happy to be ridden.

 

[SOS]

I’d completely disagree with the notion that it is a ‘thing’ for hunting people not to have fully fit horses. I’ve groomed for hunt yards/masters/regular hunting people since I was a teen as I loved the amount of riding I got to do as a groom! Many hours spent walking, riding and leading hunters during the summer days.

Now I drag hunt regularly I do see more unfit horses, ‘having a go’. Perhaps as some people are from a background that isn’t hunting related and didn’t understand how fit their horse should be. I really think a horse needs to be fitter to drag hunt with the intensity of the lines and regularity of the jumps. I didn’t come from a horsey let alone hunting background either, just learnt how to fitten horses along the way. I do remember being told my pony wasn’t fit enough to go hunting when I was younger and the meet was at the yard. I was allowed to go to the meet but no further.

 

[Upthecreek]

I do find it quite incredible, particularly in low level eventing, when people expect their horse to be able to canter continuously for 5-6 minutes AND jump solid fences when they have not done anywhere near enough canter work in preparation. They are often surprised when the horse is knackered and barely climbing over fences halfway round the course. Imagine signing yourself up for a 10k run without doing any actual running training ?