Does looking after a horse keep you fit?

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Fox07

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Hi
I have just started looking after a horse- something I have wanted to do since forever! but I also like to keep fit but have found I dont have time to look after the horse and go to the gym during the week as I dont get back till 7.30pm but I am due to run a half marathon in April
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does anyone else on here have time to do both or do you feel that lookign after the horse keeps you fit/ keeps the weight off?
 
It does for me!

When I was at uni I did 1 day a week at the yard and other odd hours as well as riding about 4 times a week. Now I'm looking after a horse every day, riding 5/6 times a week and doing the whole yard (7 horses) once a week and I'm half a stone lighter than when I was at uni!

I have no energy or time for the gym by the time I've done the horses and a 9-6 day at work. I would go and play squash occasionally with OH but he's a member of a private gym and I can't justify spending the money if I'm only going to go down there once/twice per month!

I'm not about to run a half maraton though. Not sure about training for running but I'd have thought you'll need to do some training for that as it is higher intensity exercise
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i reckon it keeps u pretty fit, not marathon fit though
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theres no way i could run one mile let alone a marathon
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poo picking, riding, mucking out, shovelling the muck heap, carrying water buckets, etc etc must be doing something good
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Knackered for definate when I do two before and after work and boy do they poo for fun!! I used to have one on full livery and I was a fatty, now I'm on DIY and by far happier I'm definatly fitter although have no time for anything else. Personally I think its like runnng a marathon most days!
 
I have trained in the Martial Arts on and off for around 25 years. A year ago I was forced into retirement by injury and started to grow a pot belly
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In November I started to ride again after a 20 year break, and also got totally involved in looking after the ponies and keeping our field in good order. The pot has gone and been replaced with a stronger stomach than I have had in years.

Cardio vascular fitness is down a bit, but a few good sessions at a trot would soon sort that out
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I think it depends on the type of person you are when it comes to running, tbh. I work weekends on a yard, as well as 9-5 in the week and looking after my two certainly keeps my muscles toned etc, but if I was going to run a 1/2 marathon I'd need to do a considerable amount of running beforehand. If you're one of those people that can just run miles without needing to be particularly fit though, you might be ok
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Well it certainly tires me out. I suppose it does, it takes me about 30mins to get my horse it as we have to walk down the lane, I usually speedwalk as the quicker I get him in the longer I can ride for. Also mucking out and lifting bucket, aswell as riding must count for something.

But I could not run for 5 mins let alone a marathon
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Ah but DG could that be to do with the absence of beer and take-aways every day? I know that helped me!!
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I ride maybe 3 times a week and do all the jobs, but having committed to aerobics twice a week and squash once a week the last few months, I can tell my fitness level used to be pants, even when I was riding 7 days a week and mucking out.
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In some ways I am dreading summer - lighter evenings, show season and a very fat hoss means I will be back to riding most days and will have to give up some of the fitness which I am quite addicted to now!
 

I think it does keep you fit BUT the only way to keep fit for running is by running IMHO.

I have run a couple of marathons & some halves too but I haven't run properly for about 6 months and I know it would take me about 5 weeks to be able to run properly again.

Can you encorporate some running into your daily routine, outside of the gym?
 
My job is in schools so i cant really fit running in any other time than after work, I started doing a training programme for the running but since I have had th horse I havent doen anyhting (3weeks) coz by the time I get back I am knackered and hungry! Doh!
 
Could you not build a bit of running in whilst you are at the yard?

Perhaps jogging to the field / hose / rug store?

I think you will need to put in some running to get yourself fit proper to run a marathon.

Yard duties do have their use for keeping weight off etc but for intense running you'll need to run and build it up.
 
I would say no.

I've always ridden every day & done (hard) weight training 3 x week & *thought* I was fit... til the day I got my elliptical trainer. I thought I'd *just* do 1/2 hour cos that's what the bodybuilders do... & managed 5 mins, with 3 breaks. Thought I was going to die when I got off it.

Can now do 1/2 hour but it took me AGES to work up to it.
 
When I worked on a yard I lost some weight and definately toned up. As I am on Full Livery now and dont work at a yard I am perhaps not as fit as previously, but I still find that regular riding, grooming and various other little chorse helps me. Especially during the summer when there is a walk to the summer turnout fields.

During the winter, running thorugh the mud that covers part of the winter turnout is very good for toning legs lol
 
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