Runs per season

[jellybaby]

Nah - you'll be right!

I *think* we know people in common....depending on when you were on the YR team (how very cryptive!)

JB xx

 

[Whispa]

I agree with you Severnmiles.

I used to use Ginny Leng's book Training the Event Horse (or something like that, published in 1990) as my bible when I started out - absolutely brilliant book. She used to use loads of hill work (walking and trotting) for fitness and do her fast work on an uphill incline, which she found was far better and more effective for getting the horses fit than flat ground as they had to work harder up the hills without the pressure on the legs that they would get on flat and slightly downhill ground.

Think most of the top eventers today would ideally prefer to do fast work on a uphill incline rather than a flatter surface - means that you don't have to put quite so many miles on the legs, whilst still getting them very fit because of the incline.

As you can tell, I read far too many books and magazines and can recall the most random pieces of information!!!

 

[H-J]

Thank you KatB, im not sure that is how some other people feel though. I think they have got things completely wrong by thinking what they do of me.

I still dont think running them 2 times a month, with a break when the ground is hard is alot, but thats fine if other people do. Im cool with it honestly!

 

[tigers_eye]

I am dreading getting back to the level where you have to do fitness work on them. That was when leg problems started appearing. I think doing as much steady hilwork/stamina building stuff when they're fairly young cuts down the amount you have to do when they go up to Adv/3day stuff. I am a big fan of long hacks with plenty of trot and canter. Deco was probably the easiest I had to get fit, for Punchestown ** I found a 2 hr hack that I'd do approx every 4 days that included a steep short hill that we'd sprint up about 4 times. That worked for her. I hate interval training, and I think gallops don't help many eventer's heads! But yes, if I really had to I'd do intervals in a school...

 

[ihatework]

Maybe you just didn't explain yourself clearly enough in your first post when you clearly stated you would be running 3 times a month all through the season apart from in august when you would only do one. All this on a 5yo.

Sounds like people have given you some food for thought and your plans have now changed accordingly which is great

Good luck with the rest of the season

 

[Nickymac]

We're a bit short of hills in Lincolnshire, otherwise that would be my ideal fitness regime. When I had my best horse, and more time, I used to go and use some all-weather gallops that were up a hellish steep hill, but it would be a three hour session getting there, doing it and getting back, and I just haven't got the time now. I would probably make more time if I was doing 3* or 4* obviously, but for the time being (while I wait for my lottery win AND the 3*/4* horse

) I'll have to make do with interval training in the school.

 

[KatB]

Blyth Tait was a great fan of slow hacking work, minimal possible fast work and not too much intense schooling. Keeping pressure off legs as much as possible, and keeping mileage as low as possible.

 

[tigers_eye]

Your pm's are full - give me a clue then!

 

[Silgram]

Also a fan of long hacks great for the horses mental wellbeing as well as there stamina and fitness. The more hills the better.

 

[tigers_eye]

Do you do interval training in the school with your PN/N horses, or just the H one with the temperamental legs?

 

[severnmiles]

[ QUOTE ]
We're a bit short of hills in Lincolnshire

[/ QUOTE ]

We have heaps of the things, infact I don't know one hack where I don't have to go up and down about four hills, the one down into the village is fantastic to trot up a few times, its the only hill I know that just about tires Ernie...only a little bit mind you. Its hellish steep and long with it! I guess I should be greatful for them.

ETS: Re. Lincolnshire, I remember getting Cool Cocktail fit for a 2* with Lucy, because its so flat we trotted miles and miles and miles!! I couldn't feel my legs at the end!

 

[mitchellk]

I find it exhausting enough just grooming at three events a month, let alone the horses!
Seriously though, when we had a yard of good horses, they probably went out competing 8-10 times a season, and always had a small break half way through, ususally July. Of those 8-10 events they would probably include a couple of CIC's or a CCI. Another person I have worked for would be out every weekend (or other), with no mid season break and have just found out that both their top two horses will be out of action until next year due to leg issues- interesting huh
But I agree it depends on the horse, his conformation and education.

 

[Nickymac]

Ditto! I did use a water treadmill too when I had an important event on the horizon and William's legs weren't 100%, and that got me there, but again these things aren't always on your doorstep.

 

[Foxglove]

Quote
As you can tell, I read far too many books and magazines and can recall the most random pieces of information!!!

I am like you, read far too much! Taking a slightly different angle, I remember reading an article a few years back by Andy Bathe regarding fitness. He argued that once you have got a horse fit (through interval training) you should ride less, just ensuring you raise the heart rate. This follows the principles that horses only have so many miles on the clock.

This point was mooted again recently (maybe in H&H or could be Pacemaker i can't remember!) with regards to racehorses. New research has shown that trainers need not be so paranoid about missing that last piece of work as horses do not lose fitness as quickly as once thought.

No doubt new research will either prove or discredit these theories!

 

[mitchellk]

I would give my right eye for a hill!!
My grandmother would take her horse galloping in plough to get it fit - the horror!

 

[SpottedCat]

I remember hills, they were the things we had when I lived in Dorset...*sob*

Now I have to box to them...

 

[severnmiles]

[ QUOTE ]
My grandmother would take her horse galloping in plough to get it fit - the horror!

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[BBs]

Holly
I have no problem with you, your horses do look well in the pictures you have supplied.
Its obvious you eat sleep and breath eventing.
[ QUOTE ]

I still dont think running them 2 times a month, with a break when the ground is hard is alot, but thats fine if other people do. Im cool with it honestly!

[/ QUOTE ]
This isnt what you said at the start of the thread. You forget, that its actually hard now! the ground...
My point, dont think because you are only running once in August is giving your horses a break its the events leading up to this which is what i and others were getting at.

No 5 events isnt a huge amount now! far from it, however, youve done 5 but you would have done more had you not been balloted. Dont forget all the schooling and hunter trials in between all adds up to mileage on the legs.

But like B_J has said, its seems you have taken comments on board and reduced your runs which is music to my ears

 

[Nickymac]

I don't with the PN/N as they are fit enough from the schooling and hacking I do. H does interval training. He hasn't got dodgy legs but, having previously had one that was a bit precious in the leg department, I'm much more aware of saving H's legs for special occasions!

 

[H-J]

Yes I do - Is there anything wrong with that. I work my horses *for* the event season.

I would not have done more, I just re-routed after I was balloted thats all.

And I have XC schooled twice this year, and thought XC schooling would be better then going to Aston on her brain and legs.

I havent reduced my runs from when I first posted I still have the same plans, which I feel I do not need to justify to anyone. I will not run her too much through the season, she is a horse for the future

Thank you for your comments

 

[tigers_eye]

Didn't you say he was the one that clanged his legs together whenever you mentioned entering something within his earshot?! Liberty is doing that with his shoes now that I have said he's being sold this week "oh look mummy you can't possibley advertise me unti,l this shoe is back on!"

 

[BBs]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes I do - Is there anything wrong with that. I work my horses *for* the event season.

I would not have done more, I just re-routed after I was balloted thats all.

And I have XC schooled twice this year, and thought XC schooling would be better then going to Aston on her brain and legs.

I havent reduced my runs from when I first posted I still have the same plans, which I feel I do not need to justify to anyone. I will not run her too much through the season, she is a horse for the future

Thank you for your comments

[/ QUOTE ]

YAWN

I give up

 

[Nickymac]

That's the one! Henceforth he shall be know as The Malingerer. Liberty obviously loves you so much he doesn't want to leave, whereas The Malingerer just doesn't want to do any work. Heaven help me when I do get him to an event, he'll be the one squeaking, squealing and generally p***ing everyone off.

 

[H-J]

You give up what - putting you opinion on me. Like you said you wasnt.

Who says you are right and I am wrong. There isnt a bible to say that. So we just have to carry on with our own horses and get on with it.

All people do things differently, thats life

I dont want to argue, I cant see how this has come about really, its up to us what we do with our own horses.

 

[jellybaby]

Cleared - as I said - it all depends on the years......

JB xx

 

[Skhosu]

I think that if the horse is sound and happy in his work, work away. I'll be out every weekend, mostly eventing with some sj/dressage thrown in for PC teams and hopefully won't have any problems, although will miss out a few events which I know have rock hard ground/just aren't as nice.
However, I may review this as we're moving up a competition notch, to novice.
On the other hand this will be my last season eventing for a long time (uni....5yrs..no chance!) so I want to make the best of it and get him good runs for selling

 

[H-J]

She is very sound and happy in her work. thx

 

[severnmiles]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that if the horse is sound and happy in his work, work away.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree with that, just because a horse is sound and happy doesn't mean you're not doing damage that will only become evident when the 'serious' work begins!

 

[EmmaChal]

I think the lesson here is.....
Take up knitting.
Seriously, your stress levels are reduced and it actually means you can go on hoiliday during those summer months when the ground is hard and RELAX....

 

[icestationzebra]

How much is wool these days?