First time to the Gallops - advice on getting most out of session please...

[flippa_t]

I'm taking my boy to some all weather gallops tomorrow for the first time and want to make sure I get the most out of the session without either a) not asking enough or b) asking too much (especially as SJ'ing on Sunday).

What do you normally do in gallops sessions? There is a flat and hill gallop to use. I need to work on fitness and also on building up his strength, particulary across his back so am thinking that a good strong canter up hill will be beneficial.

Now if I'm working round a field at home, I normally walk and trot round first making sure he's well warmed up and then pick up the pace for sections, walking in between, with a strong gallop when fittening for xc if the ground allows - but what's the "done thing" on proper gallops as there will be other people using them too and so I don't want to appear like a numpty or get in anyone's way.

I'm hoping that if we get on OK I can incorporate them a bit more regularly into our fittening / training regime with the run up to next season so that our fast work training isn't too impacted by the weather.

 

[Ali16]

Hiya,

If you are SJ on Sunday I wouldn't do too much fast work as they can often be flat the next day. Also would avoid doing work that is a bit alien to him to avoid stiffness. I would start your work on strengthening when you are not competing the day after.

Our galloping routine depends on the level of the horse in question, but for a typical BE100 horse I would not do a lot of really fast work, but just try and teach them to canter into the bridle evenly. Also strengthening and stamina work by having a strong canter up a hill. Just make sure you get off his back and allow him to use himself as he needs to underneath you.

Re gallops ettiquete don't be suprised if people come haring up behind you - just stay to one side if you are going slow. Make sure you keep checking behind you too. If you are coming up behind someone make yourself known.

And don't walk on them! Or go the wrong way down them!

Have fun

 

[kerilli]

i wouldn't go mad if it's the day before a competition, i'd use this time as a chance to get him used to the surface, the idea, etc.
be aware that when you gallop horses properly it can put them slightly on their forehand and make them a lot keener, the next time you ride them...
it depends on the configuration, is the gallop oval, say, with the hill coming off the oval, or separate?
also depends how fit he is at the moment?
i'd walk round, then have a timed trot, walk, trot. (say 3 mins, 3 mins, 3 mins, 3 mins, 3 mins) see how he is? (count resps, time recovery rate). the second two trots up the hill prob, unless it's really steep in which case only the last 1 up it, the first 2 on the flat.
then a 3 min walk, 3 min steady canter up the hill (if it's long enough?) walk 3 mins (back down or on the flat, then another steady 3 min canter. if he's recovering really fast, shorten the intervals to 2 mins.
for his first time, and with sj the next day, that'd prob be all i'd do, unless he's already pretty fit.
if other people are using it, particularly on pointers, be prepared for them to need to blast past on their ferraris...
i'll be interested to see what other people say though.

 

[amage]

if it's his first time going I would first and foremost try and avoid being there when it is likely to be busy with tbs in the morning. The last thing you want to do is have some go past and set your lad alight and risk him getting injured through getting buzzed up and silly or causing havoc to the others using it. How fit is he? I'm assuming fairly fit if going jumping sunday. For the first trip get to know the gallop and the surface. A few circuits of a sharp trot in each direction if the flat gallop is a circuit and then a gentle canter with the horse working up to the bridle but not necessarily going fast. How to use the hill depends on the steepness, camber (is it one long climb or are there some breaks where it plateaus a bit), length and the way the surface is riding. For the first way I would be inclined to let him lob up in an impulsive canter, keeping him on the bridle and not too quick. If there are jockeys there ask them if its riding quick or slow and ask them about the gallop and how it rides. How quick it's riding will depend on the surface and weather! Unless you are the only people around time intervals are not really workable on a commercial gallop as you can't be delaying other people either. if you are there at the same time as a string that are only semi fit watch what they do and don't be afraid to ask for recommendations. Different gallops require different work eg: We use a woodchip sometimes that is a 4furlong circuitwith a chute off up the hill which is about 3furlongs. With the TBs at full fitness we would do two steady laps each way then quicken for two laps going right and up the hill. There is another hill we use where we would go up 4 times. Then another where two times up is more than enough for work. Best way to get the most out of it is talk to people who use that particular gallop regularly and don't assume what suits one gallop will suit others! You will find it great for your own fitness too!

 

[flippa_t]

thanks for the advice guys! I've asked for a quiet slot so are going at lunch time with the hope that all the fast TBs have gone home!

My boy's only young and hasn't experienced anything like it before although tends to be pretty laid back (so fingers crossed) and I've also convinced my friend to come along on her big German dressage horse who needs to learn to go more forward off her leg! So on this basis your advice about using the first session to get used to the surface etc without pushing him too hard seems like a very good idea.

I'm really looking forward to it as am hoping it will form a key part of our fitness regime next spring (his and mine). We didn't make any events this season but despite being pretty fit and in a fair amount of work he wasn't great at fast work and so I need to build up this type of fitness for next season. He was fit enough for long schooling sessions, SJ'ing, XC training and long hacks with lots of trotting etc, yet would find fast canter work tiring (I probably didn't do enough of it as wasn't competing).