*Fittening a horse.. Help!*

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jozzie789

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Helloo. Fittening a horse who has had a break.. how would you do this? what sort of program would you follow?

Ive heard you start off by walking for the first weeks. why do you have to this?

Im just after any general information, so any thing appriecated!
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Ive heard you start off by walking for the first weeks. why do you have to this?

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You try jogging for a few miles if you haven't done any exercise for a long time.
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Walking builds up stamina and depending on how long the horse has been off for, should certainly be done for a couple of weeks as a good basis for fittening work.

How long has the horse been off for - was it due to injury??
 
i'm doing this at the moment because my horse has some sort of airway disease. 6 weeks walk, 6 weeks trot, then onto some longer and faster work. building up slowly as if i push too hard too soon he may not be able to handle the workload and it would make him feel grotty again. it's soo boring, i've done 4 weeks of walking so far - but will be worth it in the end.
 
when we bring the horses back into work we walk for 3 weeks 20 min for the first week and build up to an hour then we do the same with trot ect. it will really depend on how unfit your hrosey is good luck!
 
Depends on what sort of horse, how long he has been off and how fit he has been in the past.

Standard 8 week program:
First 2 weeks walking (at least an hour, at least 6 days a week)
Next 2 weeks - introduce short trots, initally only a couple of minutes building up from there
Next 2 weeks - longer trots with a few small canters, start schooling work (initially maximum 15-20 mins)
Final 2 weeks - longer trots / canters, start some hill work and light interval training, longer schooling sessions

Use your judgement and adjust according to your horse - younger / weaker / heavier built horses generally need to spend longer in the early stages. TBs and those who have been fit in the past will pick up fitness much faster.
 
I've never really understood why they can't have little trots strait away....
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They trot and canter around the field afterall!

Suppose it is different with box rest though...
 
How long as he been off? I work to the rule of 1 week walking to every month they have had off! Although mine has only had 1 mnth off and refuses to walk anyway!!!
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You think six weeks walk work is boring? Try six months! I've just done two months in-hand and am embarking upon a winter of walking
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That's through injury though so a bit excessive for the average horse. My horse certainly gallops about the field sometimes but that is when she can dictate how fast and how long she goes for. The internal systems of the horse need to be conditioned to doing regular sustained exercise before you can move on to trot, or you're asking for trouble.
 
When I brought my mare back into work after 6 months off I was damn lucky if I could get her to walk anywhere, so after fighting with her for a week I made her trot until she stopped pulling!!! Probably not conventional but it worked for me. You know your horse so use your common sense and you'll be fine.
 
Ahh thankyu everyone! Luckily my horse is finee, but am doing some stable managment revision as i have a dreaded pc test coming up!
 
I would start off with walking for a short period, and depending on how well the horse is doing, I'd increase the time walking.
I've just taken on an ex racer who has been in work, but not hard work, and has lost condition. I haven't a saddle at the moment, so am just taking her for walks each day around the yard and fields, then once I get my new saddle, I will increase the hacking time, and slowly introduce trot.
I would be inclined to stick with hacking, and do little schooling, until they are doing a lot more trotting etc.... can get a bit boring walking in a menage!!

Lippy x
 
I saw this post and immediately thought of it for your PC B test.

I cannot support the Tish Adams book enough. Shall I go find mine and tell you exactly what it says?

By the way, you also need to know shoeing, different types of shoeing, different types of shoe AND WHY! Any questions feel free to ask me!

Fittening should be split into 3 four week chunks, after the horse has been reintroduced into the stable environment and all relevant checks done. Getting a horse ready for hard work takes roughly 10-12 weeks.

The first 4 weeks should be walking only beginning at 20 mins working up to 1 hour to an hour and a half. This hardens the tendons, increase blood circulations, improves muscle tone and improves respiration

The second stage is when the horse begins to muscle up. Trotting is introduced, active walking up hills, steady trotting up hills, slow cantering on flat ground, at the end of week 5 you can start schooling on a level surface. This builds up muscle without strain on the legs, it also improves obedience and suppleness.

The third stage improves the wind of the horse. Trotting up hills, cantering in open spaces on slight hills, 1.25 miles canters with trotting introduced building up to a mile at a strong canter. Schooling and jump work. Competitions This improves lung capacity and muscle tone.

Leave an extra week or so on top incase your horse loses a shoe/needs days off or is finding a certain aspect of the work difficult. Any help?
 
If the horse hasnt had an injury then I will do short trots from the off. Mostly for my and my horse's sanity!
I dont know why people are happy to lunge an unbroken 3/4yr old for 20mins and ride at walk/trot for a furter 10-15 mins right from the off.....
 
following on from my post above - i've just spoke to my vet and he's advised me to introduce some faster work to see how my horses lungs are coping with the excercise. woohoo!!!
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great that i can go a bit faster than walk - just hope neds ok
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