ISH owners-best fitness work?

[lizzieuk1]

so H is reasonably fit and i ride 5-6 days a week but i feel he may struggle with a hilly xc at the mo, so was just wondering what you all use for fitness work, i know they tend to take more than the thoroughbred types so just looking for suggestions of pace/time etc.

 

[JenHunt]

I would try to get him up and down some hills. try to aim for a good, forward trot on the way up (to start with at least) but a forward, balanced walk on the way down.
Once he can manage a decent hill bottom to top in trot, introduce some canter, and increase gradually until he can canter all the way up.
I'm not sure how many decent hills you've got in oxon though. If you don't have a reasonably steep hill of about 1/4 to 1/2 mile then double the distance on the flat should see you about right.
just remember to keep him together so that he doesn't go flat and onto his forehand.
We have a track near us that goes straight up a hill for a good 1/2 mile, from the road to the moor top. My IDx can give most TB's a run for their money up it cos he has so much more power in his quarters - so don't get too hung up on it, if you've worked hard on his fitness then he will cope with most XC courses.