Roughing off/break from competition

ironhorse

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28 November 2007
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Thinking about giving our mare a good break after the final big show of the season at the end of Sept.
She's extremely fit and has been in hard work since the beginning of March - she's a quarter horse and as they can do about six classes a day for three days at a typical show we work them so they build plenty of stamina.
Would like her slightly less fit over the winter as we have limited turnout and a school that tends to flood so some days she might just be grazing in hand or walking round the farm or be lunged, with possibly a lesson once a week.
Not really done this with a show horse before - tended to show them lightly and then hunter trial etc over the winter.
Any tips - how long will it take her to lose fitness?
She will only be out in the day and if it is wet may have to be grazed in hand or lunged rather than turned out. I'm hoping Ocotber is dry!
 
I'm planning on turning my 6 year old away for 3 months after the end of the season, I've done it before with horses and they always come back better for having a proper 'switch off' break... I'm guessing that when I pick him up again in the new year he will have lost all fitness but he will be living out so will keep himself fit ish I would think... to turn away or not to turn away? tough decision!
 
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