Fitness issues

Tifferss

Tifferss

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I have a HW/MW cob, i really want to get his fitness levels up. Does anyone have any tips. He is very hairy legged and has a long main and V thick coat so also sweats up quick.

So if anyone has any hard and fast rules for getting fitness levels up QUICK before winter hits please post em!!
 
If he gets sweaty then I would clip him - taking off less at first is best as you can clip more but you can't stick it back!
For fitness it kind of depends how unfit he is at the mo? Walking out at a good forward pace, when that doesn't result in puffing, then add short sections of trot. Over time build up the trotting time, and start adding in canter sections. Make sure paces are forwards and working well from behind - slopping along on the buckle end does nothing for fitness!
If you are after fitness for a particular sport then be sure to add a session or two a week on that particular sport (ie, a grids session once a week if you are working towards fitness for jumping) so you improve the muscles as well as his fitness.
 
First off clip him and get rid of feathers and long mane - this will help.

Then do the usual. Lots of walking and trot work. A variety of work and don't over feed.
 
Tifferss said:
So if anyone has any hard and fast rules for getting fitness levels up QUICK before winter hits please post em!!
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Err, frankly no! If you want to increase his fitness then you really need to be looking at a steady increase in the level and type of his workload so that you avoid injury. I would also think seriously about clipping him out so that he is better able to cope with faster work. What work is he doing at the moment and for how long?
 
OK

hes just had 3 weeks off and 7 days box rest. before this he was being ridden 4-6 times a week for 20-40 mins walk and trot (canter is unbalanced so not working on this till the walk and trot is established)

This however had only been going on for a month before he got lame with a bruised sole
 
Tifferss said:
OK

hes just had 3 weeks off and 7 days box rest. before this he was being ridden 4-6 times a week for 20-40 mins walk and trot (canter is unbalanced so not working on this till the walk and trot is established)

This however had only been going on for a month before he got lame with a bruised sole
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So you need to bring him back in to work quietly and consistently. Plenty of walking on the roads, until you feel he's up to a little trotting, and then go from there.
 
Well first I would clip him, don't need to hog the mane or take the legs off but get his body clipped. Then I would do lots of hacking its the best thing to bring them back into work and built fitness. I don't do much (if any) trotting on the road but I go for 2 hour walk hacks with mine and it really helps and make sure they are probarly walking out not just "plodding" round if you know what I mean. And as other have said just built it up gently.
 
and there lies the problem - hes a bit of a spaz when he's out - he bounces and jogs so im worried that will bruise his sole again
 
If he has soft soles then you need to chat to your farrier about it, it maybe that pads are helpful to protect his soles. You won't get his fitness up without riding him out though! I think it would be very hard to get good fitness only using a school - and mind numbingly boring for you and the horse.
 
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