Kelsall Hill Gallops - Anybody Been?

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Has anybody used the gallops at Kelsall?
I was just wondering whether the warm up track is big enough to do interval training on? I have only seen the gallops from a distance so I'm not sure what they are like. I know the main gallop looks like a serious pull up the hill!
 
I would think the warm up track would be fine for interval training, I used to do mine in a 25 x 45 arena! The rise up the gallops is quite stiff for a horse that isn't used to working up the hill so just bear that in mind. The pointers I know go up the hill 3 or 4 times just as an idea for you.
 
Thanks for your reply.
That's what I was thinking and why I was asking.
I think once up the hill will be enough the first time. We have been doing interval training in an arena but would like to be able to up the pace a little and start the hill work. I just wasn't sure how big the warm up track was and whether it would be big enough to do interval work on.
 
Just as an idea, the first time you go up, go at a decent pace, your horse will get so far and then take a big breath, (can't really describe it but you will know what I mean when he does it!) the idea is that the fitter they get the further they go before the big breath.
What level are you aiming for and when are you thinking of going?
 
I have been afew time, my OH built it!- so i may be biased but its brilliant. The warm up is plenty big enough for interval training, id think but im not a eventer!
My two showjumpers went up the gallops 3 times, then walked back on the return track, by the time they got back to the start they were fully recovered, i wouldnt say they were that fit. The other day when i took them, we did 3 goes up it again, and on the last go my horse felt the need to do a bucking bronco impression!- so plenty left in his tank.
 
I went there last Sunday with a friend and we did interval training (with a handy stopwatch). It really is an excellent facility.

At first we did lots of canter and trot around the track, then we did two gallops up the long track leaving about 20mins between each gallop. I heard mine take a deep breath on the second gallop about half way up so we slowed down, and just did some canter and trot work. I think we were on there for about 1hr, and the time flew, horses and riders slept well that night!!
 
interesting thread..

I went yesterday, having in the past used the gallops at Crow Wood.

I wouldn't describe mine as very fit but he certainly wasn't particularly 'stressed' by the gallop as it was quite short and I thought the cool down track was much too long by comparison.

I would have liked a much longer gallop -I think its about half a mile- maybe twice that length - with a much shorter cool off track.

(I wasn't happy to use the cool off track to do fast work as the sand was quite deep in places and there was some large stones in the surface.)

It was good fun and a lovely surface but for me not ideal for fitness work.
 
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