Getting a horse fit for a sponsored ride

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CobsGalore

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New horse is very unfit - I'm trying to do little and often with him, i.e. riding 6 days a week but keeping it pretty short and not too demanding, (mainly hacking out in walk with a little bit of trot). Before he came to me he was either schooling or hacking out twice a week.

Basically, how long should I continue this sort of regime, before upping his workload? And how long is it likely to be before I can get him out and about to something like a sponsored ride?
 
I would do a month or six weeks of slow work but increasing the length of the sessions. Then I would add in the speedier work. Once you are hacking in all paces for two hours, you are probably good to go!
 
He'll tell you when he's feeling fitter and you can add the length accordingly. It's not like he's been out of work completely.

I know how you feel a bit unsure though and not wanting to push. I've been doing mainly schooling, hacking and lessons for a while and he is 'fit' for that... but I have a team chase soon and hunting after, so now mixing our rides up with circuits of our big field (about 5 acres) including laps of 'forward' canter. It seems its more for me as my back, butt and thighs are killing after 2 laps in each direction in short stirrups out of the saddle and he's still fresh :o Hound exercise tomorrow and XC schooling week after :eek: Shattered just thinking about it!

Whens your fun ride? You don't have to go flat out you can walk and trot around and usually they have a shorter route too- have fun!:D

Oh and where are the pictures??? ;)
 
Thanks, I know how you feel - I need to get fitter for the ride too!!

There is one in October and another in March/April. I think we will bypass the October one and wait until after Winter when I know he will be fit enough.

Here he is...

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When in Oct is the ride and how long is it.

If you are already doing some trotting then I would increase the length of time per trot.

Do some interval work such as warm up then do a minute trot a minute walk for a couple of miles then increase the trotting but leave the walk the same.

Do some lunging to get him working from behind.

i have a 6 year old that is just getting fit to due a 32k(20 miles) endurance ride at the end of Oct and will be following the same program as above
 
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paulineh said:
When in Oct is the ride and how long is it.

If you are already doing some trotting then I would increase the length of time per trot.

Do some interval work such as warm up then do a minute trot a minute walk for a couple of miles then increase the trotting but leave the walk the same.

Do some lunging to get him working from behind.

i have a 6 year old that is just getting fit to due a 32k(20 miles) endurance ride at the end of Oct and will be following the same program as above
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Thank you, this is really helpful.

The ride is first week of October and is 12 miles long, but I think you can take a shortcut and make it 9!
 
I would have thought he'll be fine for Oct as long as you don't go mad and you sound like you have your head screwed on. He'll love it!

Hes beautiful by the way- I love a hogged cob x
 
Thanks :) - I'm actually going to grow his mane and feathers out to see what he looks like, and if I prefer him hogged then it will come straight off again!!

The one I was thinking about going to in October is the South Oxfordshire one, never done it before so couldn't tell you the terrain.

I guess I just don't want to over do it with him, which is why I am being cautious - he has only just turned 5, was left alone until he was 4, and is pretty overweight at the moment!
 
Rides are held from March to the end of Oct. There are rides allover the country. Each area has a local group.

Where do you live and I can tell you were your local group would be.

As well as the rides throughout the season groups run pleasure rides. The people are very friendly and are always happy to help others.

Endurance is very good to teach a young horse all about the country side and are not as mad as sponsored / fun rides.
 
Im in the same shoes as you, ive got a chubby Highland that needs to shed some pounds & get fitter & there is a fun ride on a week Sunday that i would like to do. Ive made the decision to go & play it by ear, we can always head home if its to much for him & as its not a ride where everyone leaves at once (riders are leaving between 10am & 12), we should be able to take it at our own speed. The main reason for going is to see what hes like in company as well as i would really like to hunt him over the winter, so even if we only stay out an hour my aim will have been achieved.
 
navaho said:
Im in the same shoes as you, ive got a chubby Highland that needs to shed some pounds & get fitter & there is a fun ride on a week Sunday that i would like to do. Ive made the decision to go & play it by ear, we can always head home if its to much for him & as its not a ride where everyone leaves at once (riders are leaving between 10am & 12), we should be able to take it at our own speed. The main reason for going is to see what hes like in company as well as i would really like to hunt him over the winter, so even if we only stay out an hour my aim will have been achieved.
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Let us know how you get on!
 
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