Day after 80cm hunter trial

little_critter

little_critter

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 June 2009
Messages
7,532
Location
Somerset
Visit site
After a hunter trial (fairly hard work for my pony) would you give the next day off, or have a gentle hack / lead out in walk just to stretch legs and prevent any stiffness?
I know it's not like we've done Badminton but just wondering what most people do the next day.
 
Anything out of the ordinary in terms of work, I'd usually take for a fact-finding leg-stretch the next day. Unless obviously lame/in pain, it can't do any harm and might flag up a potential problem.

If you've just done an 80cm, I hope it went well, if it's still ahead of you, I hope it goes well! :)
 
Usually give the day off after an event, just turned out and left to wander. Sometimes go for a gentle hack if someone else offers to go out ! Hope event goes/went well :)
 
Mrs B said:
Anything out of the ordinary in terms of work, I'd usually take for a fact-finding leg-stretch the next day. Unless obviously lame/in pain, it can't do any harm and might flag up a potential problem.

If you've just done an 80cm, I hope it went well, if it's still ahead of you, I hope it goes well! :)
Click to expand...

Just done it. Not a great day on paper as I was eliminated for taking a wrong line through the water (lots of others also eliminated, confusing flags) then fell off 4 from home.
However I'm very happy because my pony did brilliantly and it pushed my comfort zone a bit.
She will be out tomorrow so I'll walk her in hand up the road to check her over then let her potter in the field.
 
I always try to ride the day after any hard work to make sure they are sound. I would always just walk or trot though and just a short hack.
 
Mine have the day off after any XC, but then that is influenced by my bad back! If I feel sore then the horse must do too, so has the day off.
 
With fully fit horse that can do the event with eyes closed, I tend to go for a nice relaxed hack the next day. On younger horses I may walk out in hand, or just give day off. In all cases, they are turned out after the event and stay out. Normally by morning they look they are ready to go again :p
 
Mine actually gets 2 days off after a BE and always one after any other event actually
But will be turned out in the field that night/ the next day (dependant on if it's winter/summer)
 
Last edited:
Short hack up the road and back with a short trot to check soundness. They then have the day off the day after.
 
I always give the day off out in the field the day after an event. As mine live out through the summer they are just checked over/legs felt etc & left to mooch about.
Even if fit I think it gives them the chance to mentally unwind after a competion.
 
Day off after an event. She goes in the field as soon as she is home & fed & stays there till Monday evening ( if competing Saturday) when we do some road work to check soundness. I just check her over in the field the day after.
 
Well we walked (in hand) up the road and back with a couple of trots to check soundness and she is fine, in fact she looks up for going round again (she enjoyed yesterday)
She is now busily stuffing her face in the field.
 
I generally always give mine the day off after an event, just in case they are a bit stiff, I prefer them to be out in the field wondering about - best way to sort any stiffness IMO.
 
It depends how fit your horse was for the work it was asked to do.. Any lactic acid build up needs to be eliminated by two days gentle walk exercising, under saddle or in hand and turn out.. Rest totally (turn out, no exercise) on the third day onwards.
 
Faracat said:
Out of interest, why do some of you ride to check soundness? Surely you can see if the horse is sound from the ground?
Click to expand...

We trot up when bringing in from the field, if no sign of lameness we will then ride. When on board, you can feel slightest of imperfections in the pace. Sometimes they can look level from the ground but you can feel a slight shortness etc when on. Have had it happen before where a horse looked sound as anything to five of us, but didn't feel right once on board.
 
Thanks for explaining JKO. :) I was taught by a very old school lady and getting on board the day after a tough competition wasn't even up for consideration.
 
I will ride so that I can feel any subtle imperfections, obviously in hand lameness would be immediately acted upon. Sometimes what you feel when riding is just tiredness and as I hunt 2 days a week in winter this is really important for horse wellbeing.
 
Hand walk/graze for 15 minutes then a trot up to check for soundness. Mine live out 24/7 which does wonders for their recovery. The next day I'd hack out and do straight lines, with a short trot on a firm surface. Then back to business as usual. Walking is the best thing for them :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top