DressageCob
Well-Known Member
Hello all!
I don't often post in the competing section here, as coblet and I are not serious competitors
We are, however, getting fit for the eventing season. He is no longer portly and it pretty fit, although we've still got a way to go. And I have joined a gym
Yesterday I took him to my local gallops. We hacked across (about 30 minutes steady hack), warmed up in the little ring before going onto the main gallops. We did a steady canter to the top - it's flat for the first half before going on a steady incline. I think it's 5.5 furlongs in total. We got to the top and he was fine, not even blowing (which was a bit of a surprise as, like I said, we've a way to go fitness-wise). On the walk back down the gallops he was squealing and dancing, wanting to go again.
I took him back in the ring for a cool down. He was still keen so I decided to go back on the gallops. I wasn't going to send him back to the top again, as I thought it may be a little too much, considering we had the hack back too. So I wanted to just do the flat bit of the gallops, turn around and come back. I set off and decided to let him go a bit. It was still at a canter, but not as slow and steady as the first one. It wasn't even as fast as he'd go between fences eventing.
As we were cantering this man who is a livery at this venue shouted at me saying I'd never make it to the top at that speed and to stop. I ignored him as I wasn't going to the top, and in my mind we weren't going fast. When I finished and came back onto the yard he shouted at me saying I was cruel for (a) going quickly on the gallops and (b) taking a cob on there at all ?!
So my question is this, is it wrong to allow a horse to open up it's canter whilst on a gallop track? My rationalisation was firstly that it wasn't that fast, secondly he was in need of a good leg stretch and also that I'd sooner he had that leg stretch on a gallop track where the surface is soft and even than in a field on the farm ride which might have rabbit holes, divets and the like and the ground may not be good enough.
This chap really got me doubting what I was doing. He said you should never go more than a steady canter when training, and he has one of the best horses in the country and would never ask it to go quickly. But then, I didn't ask. i just didn't hold him back as much as I did the previous time.
Sorry for the length of this post! i just need either some reassurance, or someone to tell me in a less scary and mean way that I was wrong to canter my coblet the way I did.
I was really upset. Especially because it was my birthday ride which he spoilt
Thank you comp ladies/laddies
I don't often post in the competing section here, as coblet and I are not serious competitors
We are, however, getting fit for the eventing season. He is no longer portly and it pretty fit, although we've still got a way to go. And I have joined a gym
Yesterday I took him to my local gallops. We hacked across (about 30 minutes steady hack), warmed up in the little ring before going onto the main gallops. We did a steady canter to the top - it's flat for the first half before going on a steady incline. I think it's 5.5 furlongs in total. We got to the top and he was fine, not even blowing (which was a bit of a surprise as, like I said, we've a way to go fitness-wise). On the walk back down the gallops he was squealing and dancing, wanting to go again.
I took him back in the ring for a cool down. He was still keen so I decided to go back on the gallops. I wasn't going to send him back to the top again, as I thought it may be a little too much, considering we had the hack back too. So I wanted to just do the flat bit of the gallops, turn around and come back. I set off and decided to let him go a bit. It was still at a canter, but not as slow and steady as the first one. It wasn't even as fast as he'd go between fences eventing.
As we were cantering this man who is a livery at this venue shouted at me saying I'd never make it to the top at that speed and to stop. I ignored him as I wasn't going to the top, and in my mind we weren't going fast. When I finished and came back onto the yard he shouted at me saying I was cruel for (a) going quickly on the gallops and (b) taking a cob on there at all ?!
So my question is this, is it wrong to allow a horse to open up it's canter whilst on a gallop track? My rationalisation was firstly that it wasn't that fast, secondly he was in need of a good leg stretch and also that I'd sooner he had that leg stretch on a gallop track where the surface is soft and even than in a field on the farm ride which might have rabbit holes, divets and the like and the ground may not be good enough.
This chap really got me doubting what I was doing. He said you should never go more than a steady canter when training, and he has one of the best horses in the country and would never ask it to go quickly. But then, I didn't ask. i just didn't hold him back as much as I did the previous time.
Sorry for the length of this post! i just need either some reassurance, or someone to tell me in a less scary and mean way that I was wrong to canter my coblet the way I did.
I was really upset. Especially because it was my birthday ride which he spoilt
Thank you comp ladies/laddies
took the glow off your great experience. Ignore..from what you wrote it sounded like horse was able and willing and enjoying the experience. 
