Trotting a youngster

[Kub]

Just wanted opinions on how much trotting you should do with a newly backed youngster? Coblet and I went for our first solo hack today and it was lovely, but I want to get his fitness up and I know walking alone won't do it. We do have some trotting sections, probably about 10-15 minutes (if that!) over a 45min-1hour hack.

Would you say this is just right/too much/could be doing more? I don't want to push him too fast too soon but I do want to start things as we mean to go on and progress.

Thanks

 

[Miss L Toe]

I think you need to walk him for three months on roads to strengthen ligaments, any trotting dramatically increases risk of splints. concussion has a long term effect on viability too. I might do a little trot, say 100 metres at a time, on roads, road work is the basis of all training for fitness. It will build topline, and lose fat, introduce some steady canter work up hills to build bum, gaskins, and inner thighs.

 

[SophieLouBee]

Walking is a great for getting them fit, a good active walk is great, why do you think racehorses are walked and cantered and hardly ever trotted?

Echo MrsD too