Keyflow's Key Rider Q&A: Mark Todd

[HHO admin]

Keyflow now brings you an exciting opportunity to seek advice from their team of sponsored Key Riders. This is an exciting opportunity to draw on the wealth of experience of Keyflow’s Key Rider team so whether you want fitness or training tips, feeding advice or help preparing for competition, this is your chance to ask the professionals.

Kicking things off is none other than eventing legend & Keyflow boss Sir Mark Todd, responding to questions right here on the Horse Care & Feeding Forum throughout February.

In January 2012 Sir Mark co-founded Keyflow Feeds along with equine nutrition professional Cam Price. Keyflow works with internationally renowned equine nutritionists Dr Cath Dunnett and Dr Ray Biffin. Together they have collaborated to formulate a range of super-premium feeds that are cooked for increased digestibility and use unique, premium ingredients such as beetroot and stabilised rice bran.

If you would like to find out more about Keyflow or to request a free sample head to the following links:
http://www.keyflowfeeds.com
https://www.facebook.com/keyflowuk
https://twitter.com/keyflow

Key Riders will be answering your questions in batches so please allow a day or two for a response. Thank you for using this facility - The Keyflow Team

 

[Bob1234]

Hi,

With most cross country schooling facilities closed because it is so wet what tips and training advice can you give me so that I can prepare my horse for the new eventing season which is only weeks away?

Many Thanks

 

[KeyflowUK]

Hi,

With most cross country schooling facilities closed because it is so wet what tips and training advice can you give me so that I can prepare my horse for the new eventing season which is only weeks away?

Many Thanks

Hi Bob1234,
I have found that there are some still open luckily, you might have to drive a little further though!
Otherwise you can build xc school type fences in an arena, narrows, arrows & bounces etc.
Hope this helps
Mark Todd

Add condition and muscle mass without the fizz - http://keyflowfeeds.com/product/keyflow-key-plus

 

[dianchi]

Hi,

What exercises do you find helps build up muscle and stamina when you are limited to using only a school?

Many thanks

 

[KeyflowUK]

Hi,

What exercises do you find helps build up muscle and stamina when you are limited to using only a school?

Many thanks

Hi dianchi,


This is a hard one to answer!

Presumably you must have access to hacking – hills are great for getting a horse fit and building stamina if you can access any.


In the school you should make the horse work properly on the bit and pushing from behind - this will help strengthen them up.

Mark Todd


Feeding a diet that contains high quality protein that is profiled for horses is critical when building muscle. Try feeding Perfect Balance with chaff as a base ration for excellent muscle development http://keyflowfeeds.com/product/mark-todd-perfect-balance/

 

[dianchi]

Hi dianchi,


This is a hard one to answer!

Presumably you must have access to hacking – hills are great for getting a horse fit and building stamina if you can access any.


In the school you should make the horse work properly on the bit and pushing from behind - this will help strengthen them up.

Mark Todd


Feeding a diet that contains high quality protein that is profiled for horses is critical when building muscle. Try feeding Perfect Balance with chaff as a base ration for excellent muscle development http://keyflowfeeds.com/product/mark-todd-perfect-balance/

No I don't have access to hacking presently which is why I was looking for some exercises that I could use in the school.

Thanks

 

[KeyflowUK]

No I don't have access to hacking presently which is why I was looking for some exercises that I could use in the school.

Thanks

Hi Dianchi,

Thank you for your response. If you can only ride in the school then you certainly will have a challenge on your hands, both to build stamina and to avoid your horse becoming stale. It’s hard to advise without knowing what level of fitness you hope to achieve – I wouldn’t want to prepare for cross country without fast work and hills, for example – so I can only suggest that you look at a range of exercises that will work different muscle groups. Maybe work your horse on the lunge some days and focus on pole work or grids on others. Try to be inventive with your schooling and allow your horse to work in a long outline as well as working on the bit. If you have a field that you can ride in then use that too, so that your horse is not constantly training on the same artificial surface and, if you can, box your horse to an area or training centre where you can ride out over more open spaces and undulating terrain.

I hope that this helps!

Mark Todd