hihosilver
Well-Known Member
Hi I am in a quandary as the posts indicate they have done a lot to the ground. Does any one know what the ground is like normally? Thanks
Borde hill?
- Thread starter hihosilver
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Michen
Well-Known Member
Its on old turf and I was aiming for that one but decided to go to Aston le walls (same day) instead. Mainly because 2/3 on a surface, and they have confirmed they are continuing to water since their BE a few weeks ago (where my friend did the intermediate and said ground was super), also running a BE a few days before the unaff so I know lots of work will be put into the ground. Not sure borde Hill will be quite as good despite agrivating though Im sure they will make it as good as they can.
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AandK
Well-Known Member
It's lovely old turf and the course is only used for their events (twice a year). I am going and my plan is to take it a phase at a time, but I see no reason not to run all three at this stage, we're only doing the 80 so won't need to go that fast or jump that high. Horse is fit enough and is conditioned to the hard ground.
Michen
Well-Known Member
I don’t really get the ”conditioning to hard ground” phases that are floating around at the moment. I understand the logic of working a horse on a variety of surfaces, but I don’t get what good jumping/fast Work does on hard ground to “prepare” for an event does... other than just add more concussion to the joints? Genuine question as I don’t really understand the science behind it... other than that road work increases bone density?
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I believe this to be true, having worked a little in the US where the ground was rock hard and the horses worked hard for hours at a time. Some were barefoot too, even over rocks at speed. They were astonished at our English horses are considered old in their late teens, I had two horses working with us that were over 30, albeit that they worked less hard than the others. Many more were in their 20s.
I am no scientist, but I believe that the idea is that fitness to run on hard ground is because in careful training you cause micro damage, which the body then repairs and makes the area stronger. Sadly most people do more than micro damage, which the body also attempts to repair, but more then micro damage means an untidy repair that then causes problems either arthritis, less strong cartilage, fibres in tendons etc.
The horses I worked with were also backed young. They believed that by putting the horses under the sort of strain that they will need to be at as an adult, but to a lesser extent, when young, allows the body to adapt while the growing plates are still active. So, putting out stronger joints.
Personally I was horrified when seeing 2 year old horses working, but it was a puzzle to me as they did have an awful lot of older horses working hard.
I have thought long and hard about it, as here in the UK we must be doing something 'wrong'. I do not work youngsters hard, in fact my current one is just 5, and we are not intending to do anything but play this year as I feel she is too young for hard work, especially with the hard ground we have. In the US, where I was at least, she would have been considered mature, in her 3rd year of work.
It can't be the weather, I don't think, as they have ultra harsh winters with ice and snow, and periods where the horses are just corralled. Ultra hot summers, hard ground and temps over 100 degrees. Working long hours...
The do feed differently. Higher quality forage, but less of it. I try to feed ad lib, low value. I guess it could be that they are rested each year (in winter)? Or, that they are corralled with barn access rather than stabled? Maybe because generally the horses I was working with weren't doing endless circles on a surface? Having said that, they were turning etc to manage cattle. Some were hunters too.
I do know that they seem to go on longer, and on ground that I would not like to walk over, let alone work cattle!
AandK
Well-Known Member
If I only rode my horse in an arena, how on earth could I expect him to be happy to perform comfortably on any other surface? I've owned him 16yrs and he is a lot happier working on grass since he's been out 24/7, hacked more and in the arena less. I didn't say anything about jumping or fast work on hard ground, he is used to working on a variety of surfaces, is turned out 24/7 and I have carried on hacking out on the downs as I always do. It is the same for working in the heat, if you only ride when it is cool, you can't expect your horse to perform when it gets hotter.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Sorry, my question was more broad as to what people mean by conditioned to hard ground. Quite a few people on Twitter eventing especially mentioning about jumping and fast work at home to prepare and this was what I didnt understand, I get the logic of working on a variety of surfaces, as I said. Was more the science behind it as Red 1 has mentioned that I was curious about.
Bernster
Well-Known Member
I know what you mean Michen. Ive heard this ref hunting and hardening something, tendons or joints maybe, but I dont really know why or whats behind it. Or whether its current thinking. I do work on a variety of surfaces but dont do fast work or jump on hard surfaces. Would rather not compete on those anyway, so it doesnt bother me and I think its better for the horse.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Yep youve explained it better than me, but what Red posted was interesting... would love to understand it all
But yes personally I work on lots of surfaces, but quite literally havent left walk out hacking since early June, but still hacks 4 hours a week or so and using the gallops.
I did compete at Tweseldown UA in June and the sj was harder than I was happy with but the xc was very good so at 80 I was quite happy to jump 12 fences as a one off, with minimal warm up and he seemed fine with it. That said I saw a huge amount of stuffy, short looking horses at Ascott UA a couple of weeks ago in the SJ, particularly in the 100, and wondered how many of them were comfortable jumping a decent height on such hard ground.
Sorry OP- gone a little off topic!!!
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ShowJumperL95
Well-Known Member
Has anyone ridden the 70 xc course there before? Is it quite nice and simple?
Decided to put brave pants on and do it as its over first ever ODE together.
Decided to put brave pants on and do it as its over first ever ODE together.
honetpot
Well-Known Member
I think controlled work on harder ground, strengthens bones, and the insertion points where the ligaments attach to the bones lay down boney spurs to strengthen the insertion point.
Had a quick google and the last part of this explains the process.
http://amactraining.co.uk/resources...evel-2-exercise-and-fitness-knowledge-3bones/
https://ker.com/equinews/training-and-bone-development/
Interval training developes cardio vascular fitness but may not give enough stress to thicken and buttress the bone.
Had a quick google and the last part of this explains the process.
http://amactraining.co.uk/resources...evel-2-exercise-and-fitness-knowledge-3bones/
https://ker.com/equinews/training-and-bone-development/
Interval training developes cardio vascular fitness but may not give enough stress to thicken and buttress the bone.
Embo
Well-Known Member
I did the 70 last year. Typical of Borde Hill, the SJ course was lovely but it is on a slope which provides a challenge in itself.
The XC was mostly very nice and inviting but well up to height. Some of the fences felt quite meaty for a 70 but then others were very kind. It was all very inviting thought, apart from fence 3 which gave majority of competitors some trouble (it was a brightly coloured flowerbox positioned just as the course sloped downhill. Nothing to difficult but many horses were unsure, my own included!).
It was also long and very up/down hill which is hard work. You and pony will need to be reasonably fit to get round in good time. There was nothing complicated, no drops or steps, one ditch which was optional (the 70s could miss it). So yes, simple, but a decent course.
All that said, it was run really well and we had a brilliant day! So sure you will also have a great time
we will sadly miss this year as my horse is off with an injury, I'm gutted to be missing out! Good luck and have fun ShowJumperL95
Well-Known Member
I did the 70 last year. Typical of Borde Hill, the SJ course was lovely but it is on a slope which provides a challenge in itself.
The XC was mostly very nice and inviting but well up to height. Some of the fences felt quite meaty for a 70 but then others were very kind. It was all very inviting thought, apart from fence 3 which gave majority of competitors some trouble (it was a brightly coloured flowerbox positioned just as the course sloped downhill. Nothing to difficult but many horses were unsure, my own included!).
It was also long and very up/down hill which is hard work. You and pony will need to be reasonably fit to get round in good time. There was nothing complicated, no drops or steps, one ditch which was optional (the 70s could miss it). So yes, simple, but a decent course.
All that said, it was run really well and we had a brilliant day! So sure you will also have a great time
Ahh fab thank you, that sound like it will be a nice course! Will have to just keep pony club kicking to number 3 then haha.
Ah no I'm sorry that sucks you're horse is off with an injury I hope he/she recovers quickly.