Getting the boy Hunting Fit

[SammyDingle]

Hiii

So i need your help, once again!

I am looking to getting back into hunting. My boy has had a month of light hacking and the occasional schooling session so its time to get back into the swing of things!

He hunted last year, but i didn't need to do much to get him fit and ready as he was already fit enough. My problem is this year he has had a month off!

Can any one recommend a good plan to build his fitness up? And any tips? And also How long will it take to get hit fit enough (time isn't so much of an issue, welfare is more important!)

Look forward to your replies, itching to get back out hunting!


L x

 

[Potato!]

Im interested in this as i need to get my boy fit too

 

[JenHunt]

there's a bit of advice here...

but you need to get plenty of work into him between now and hunting (i'm sure you know that though as you've hunted in the past!)...

it's hard to tell how fit he is from your description, but perhaps start by increasing the pace and length of your hacks, and intersperse it with some schooling to keep him obedient!

 

[SammyDingle]

I was a little vague on what work he is doing currently doing, which didn't help!

OK so here goes....

He is being lunged on the pessoa at least once a week, lots of transitions and working in walk trot and canter for about 25 minutes in total, which he is fine just slightly warm at the end.

He hacks out at least once a week which involves a fair amount of hill work and about 5 mins maximum trotting.

He is normally schooled properly once a week, again walk trot and canter for about half an hour 40 mins and he is warm and maybe a little sweaty round his girth.

If any extra exercise within the week its normally a 20 min hack down the road which involves some hill work but i don't normally trot him too much, and maybe a ''mess around'' at weekend, abit of jumping or lunging over poles etc.

Alot of the problem is hes getting warm as he is un clipped so i am waiting around till daft o'clock to rug back up, which is making me not want to work him too hard at night after work, i will be clipping at weekend so this shouldn't be too much of issue moving forward.

 

[JenHunt]

ok, I'll reply properly now that I'm at home...

lunging - useful for when you're short of time, but in terms of his fitness it's of limited use - that's not to say you should stop it, as you're probably not doing it for his fitness, so much as suppleness and engagement, all of which will help him cope out hunting!

Hacking - aim to increase the amount of time you spend trotting, up to about 20-30 minutes at a time!! and the more hills you can fit in the better! If I've only got 45minutes, I'll walk up to the forestry, then do 3 laps of the hill (trot up & walk down, 3 times) then walk back home. not an interesting hack, but does the job! Also, aim to include some good steady long canters, working up to a good 10minutes minimum if you can!

Schooling - see comments about lunging... but useful also for the obedience and for a change. Maybe increase this to include some jumping

The Rest of the time - if you can fit in an extra good hack, or some jumping or can get to a gallops then do that, extra work won't go amiss...

 

[rodeo12]

That's really useful - I made a post about wanting to go hunting and knowing whether his fit enough, but having never been hunting before and not knowing what level of fitness to get him too I changed my mind about going.

But now, I can begin to build him up straight away. There's a little field I could go too when lacking time in the winter where can do what you suggested when you're short of time, go up, then back down in walk, then go back up. As you say - won't be interesting, but will help nevertheless.

How long would you expect it to take to that level of fitness (my horse is of similar fitness to above)? Sorry for now hijacking the post a little
Thank you!

 

[PorkChop]

JenHunt is spot on

I would also try to do a bit of interval training in a week or two. I do mine on the beach, but you can do it anywhere. If you have a slope you can work him up all the better. Start with 3 minutes cantering, 1 minute walking and repeat three times.

Getting him out cubbing a few times will help no end, don't be tempted to over-do it though. Be prepared to come home a bit early or standing around on point for a bit will give him a bit of a rest and do wonders for his manners.