Why do we give average riding club horses a day off?

[Polos Mum]

I'm old fashioned and always given my horses a day off a week. Horse is 6 y/o fit and well doing 1-2 days schooling for 40 mins, 1-2 days 40 min hack, longer hack at weekends, jumping a couple of times a month and a clinic / lesson similarly a couple of times a month.

With it finally raining we will have a flush of grass he will get chubby - is there any reason he couldn't work 7 days a week (at the level above) not running around Burghley every month.

Is there any science to having a day off?

 

[SibeliusMB]

Body needs rest to repair and rebuild muscles stronger. The mental break is usually also very important for most and even if they didn't "need" the break physically, time to just be a horse and have a couple days per week is important in my program. Is he on hard feed? If so, maybe cut back on that if you're concerned about weight. I'd recommend either incorporating a muzzle some of the time or increasing intensity of existing workload before removing his one day off. Just my opinion though.

 

[Alibear]

Exercise creates micro-tears in muscles; it's how muscles grow bigger. So they need some time completely off to recover. You can ride or exercise twice on other days if needed. There's also some research around that supports 2 consecutive days off for ulcer-prone horses.

 

[greenbean10]

I have two to ride and look after so give them both the same day off each week - mainly so I have a bit of a break too.

I also just like them to have a day when they're not brought in to be ridden - I don't know why, it just feels nice to give them a day in the field to relax.

I don't think there's any particular reason why you HAVE to give them one day off a week. A week is a human construct and your horse has over 23 hours over the rest of the day to rest.

 

[Polos Mum]

A week is a human construct and your horse has over 23 hours over the rest of the day to rest.

That's what made me think about it, he's turned out with his mates 23 hours a day so I'm not sure the 1 hour x 6 per week even counts as work

He's not on any hard feed and sadly his playful younger fieldmates won't leave a fly mask on so a muzzle would go the same way.

I can up the exercise on the 6 days (clearly he's in light work on those days) just got me wondering whether skipping a 40 min stroll hack really made any difference to muscle recovery

 

[Starzaan]

New research has shown that two consecutive rest days is the most beneficial for horses in any level of work.

 

[Abacus]

I think there is a difference and balance between the exercise that causes micro-tears but also builds fitness and strength, and gentle work like a hack which stretches and keeps them flexible and probably doesn't do much more damage than mooching about in the field. But I can't see that adding one more hack of this kind will make much difference.

Most amateur riders probably prefer at least a day off as well themselves as they have other jobs (I am definitely one of these).

 

[AntiPuck]

I go with the two consecutive days off rule, I think it's important for recovery, both physical and mental, and I prefer her to have that block of time each week where she isn't carrying the weight of a rider.

She gets one "full" day off where she only comes in for a supplement feed, and then one where she might do an in-hand walk or some light groundwork, depending on what else she has done that week.

 

[Alibear]

I may well be anthropomorphising, but it's stressed in human training (triathlon, running, and weights are my experiences). That rest day means rest; those micro-tears are already there, so no easy sessions or alternate forms of exercise are allowed on those days.

 

[bouncing_ball]

New research has shown that two consecutive rest days is the most beneficial for horses in any level of work.

And I think there is a link between glandular ulcers and number of days worked a week. More increased risk.

That said I do work my horse 6-7 days a week. Though he gets a day off after boxing to gallops / racetrack / long ride, any significant exertion, and every so often.

I alternate between in handwork / ground work / hacking / schooling / obstacle training etc. And find I can vary the intensity, type of work and muscles worked and keep cycling round the activity.

I dont think 10-15 minutes groundwork / obstacle work is an issue on a 'day off'.

I do find my horse cant compete well at dressage, if he has done hillwork the day before, he competes best after a stretching light day. My previous horse could gallop / hillwork day before and then happily dressage.

 

[Winters100]

Personally I don't see any need for days off in respect of horses in average work. Mine get a day off every 10 days, but it is more for me than for them. That having been said I do 'listen' to them, and not every day is hard training for all. My good doer has to move actively twice a day if I don't want to restrict his access to forage, he does well on this, looks great and the breathing problems that he arrived with have gone away. The other gelding seems to thrive on having a couple of days with less strenuous exercise, but still needs movement. Schoolmistress pony is a poor doer, and is a saint who owes us nothing, so she basically gets to tell us what she wants - if I feel that her heart is not in it then I get off, but most days she likes to blow off some steam, then tells me when she has had enough. As I see it there is no rule that fits all, but for me a slow hack counts as a day off.

 

[Gloi]

I think for the amount the average amateur horse does, the day off is really for the rider.

 

[NinjaPony]

I always followed the two days off a week, and research suggests (at least for dressage) that it’s best to avoid two of the same types of exercise in a row. Eg schooling followed by hacking, followed by pole work, then a rest day. I think mentally the day off gives them time to relax and absorb the work, and physically gives the muscles time to recover. Carrying a human is hard work, even just for low key activity and regular breaks does horse and rider the world of good most of the time.

 

[Annagain]

I think for the amount the average amateur horse does, the day off is really for the rider.

This. In two ways. I tell myself he "deserves it" when he doesn't really do enough on his working days to need it. I also have to have a day or two a week to do other things like going shopping, cleaning the house, seeing friends spending time with OH etc otherwise my life would be a mess.

 

[Polos Mum]

New research has shown that two consecutive rest days is the most beneficial for horses in any level of work.

Many thanks - do you have any links / names for this that I can search? The thread responses so an almost 50/50 split between 1) yes he needs time off and 2) don't be daft 40 mins in 24 hours is hardly work! so I'd love to read more widely and scientifically

 

[bouncing_ball]

Many thanks - do you have any links / names for this that I can search? The thread responses so an almost 50/50 split between 1) yes he needs time off and 2) don't be daft 40 mins in 24 hours is hardly work! so I'd love to read more widely and scientifically

This is an example of a research paper that looked into number of days worked, and risk of glandular ulcers - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6642651/

 

[bouncing_ball]

I always followed the two days off a week, and research suggests (at least for dressage) that it’s best to avoid two of the same types of exercise in a row. Eg schooling followed by hacking, followed by pole work, then a rest day. I think mentally the day off gives them time to relax and absorb the work, and physically gives the muscles time to recover. Carrying a human is hard work, even just for low key activity and regular breaks does horse and rider the world of good most of the time.

Yes, as someone who does work my horse 6-7 days a week, I do aim for 2 days a week to be non ridden in hand / ground work / posture training.

I think there is evidence non weight bearing exercise is beneficial too, especially if looking to improve posture and topline.

 

[Tarragon]

I think that a change is as good as a rest is probably pertinent here. For the amount of exercise that the average hobby horse (not literally!) does, a day off is not necessary, providing the work they do is varied and exercises different elements, so schooling, hacking, fast, slow, jumping etc.
A think that the horses kept on a track system can walk 12 to 15km a day in some cases!

 

[stangs]

2 rest days a week is also what’s being encouraged for human athletes, so that’s what I go with. Of course, you still need movement to encourage recovery, so any horse who’s not out most of the time ought to spend at least one of those rest days doing in hand work (imo)

I think there is a difference and balance between the exercise that causes micro-tears but also builds fitness and strength, and gentle work like a hack which stretches and keeps them flexible and probably doesn't do much more damage than mooching about in the field.

Except when they’re mooching about in the field, they don’t have a rider on their back. Do you think they don’t develop micro tears from the weight of a saddle and rider?

 

[bouncing_ball]

>>2 rest days a week is also what’s being encouraged for human athletes, so that’s what I go with.

I wish I exercised enough to only have two human rest days!! Working on it.

>>Of course, you still need movement to encourage recovery, so any horse who’s not out most of the time ought to spend at least one of those rest days doing in hand work (imo)

100% agree. Horses are creatures of movement and are best kept moving.

>>>>Except when they’re mooching about in the field, they don’t have a rider on their back.
>> Do you think they don’t develop micro tears from the weight of a saddle and rider?

I dont think a fully fit, fully muscled horse develops micro tears from the weight of a saddle and rider, on a gentle post exertion stretching hack.

I do think in hand work / ground work / gentle posture improvement non ridden work might be as beneficial as full time off after significant exertion.

Many professionals following the two days off a week dont do absolutely nothing on those days, but what they do is aimed at gentle mobilisation and stretching, rather than training / fitness work / exertion.

 

[Chianti]

I watched a webinar where the nutritionist - can't remember her name- said research showed two days off, which weren't consecutive, showed as a positive in avoiding ulcers.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I ride for pleasure and the moment I feel pressured into riding more I would probably give up!! My horse is always fit enough for the work he does. He has a varied life. Sometimes I will ride 6 days a week, sometimes I will ride 3 times. He gets 2 full weeks off a year. It suits us.

 

[Mari]

My pony always gets at least 2 days a week off work. Sometimes more depending on the weather. We’re all rounders, do a bit of everything, he gives me so much enjoyment when I ride him that I like him to just enjoy being a pony in my small herd of 3. The other two are retired.

 

[Red-1]

I count a 40 minute walk hack as a day off. Mine generally does something 7 days a week, but 2 of those will be walk hacks for 40 minutes.

That said, I am very responsive to how the horse feels. When my horse was unhappy with his saddle, he had 2 weeks off until I could get the saddler. He had almost 2 weeks of waiting for the farrier too, when a shoe became slightly loose.

He is also about to have his shoes off and a couple of months off, after consistent work since he was backed last year. I have just a couple of hacks and a dressage lesson to go, then shoes off and rest. He will come back into walk in hand work after a month, then walk under saddle after 2 months, back into proper work for Xmas. At least that is the plan!

I quite like them to have shoes off and a couple of months down time. The feet look fabulous after and I have often managed to do a fair bit of work barefoot, including dressage and SJ comps.

 

[Abacus]

I always followed the two days off a week, and research suggests (at least for dressage) that it’s best to avoid two of the same types of exercise in a row. Eg schooling followed by hacking, followed by pole work, then a rest day. I think mentally the day off gives them time to relax and absorb the work, and physically gives the muscles time to recover. Carrying a human is hard work, even just for low key activity and regular breaks does horse and rider the world of good most of the time.

I have read an interview with Carl Hester on his way of training which said that he always repeats an exercise for 2 days to teach it thoroughly (one day to explain and the second to reinforce) - I expect that this is followed by a rest. Of course this was about effective training rather than limiting physical damage but his horses seem to do quite well.

 

[Abacus]

2 rest days a week is also what’s being encouraged for human athletes, so that’s what I go with. Of course, you still need movement to encourage recovery, so any horse who’s not out most of the time ought to spend at least one of those rest days doing in hand work (imo)


Except when they’re mooching about in the field, they don’t have a rider on their back. Do you think they don’t develop micro tears from the weight of a saddle and rider?

I’m not claiming to be a vet or expert here. I wouldn’t think it does much harm. I speak from the perspective of a light rider (< 9 stone) on a fit 8 year old 16.1 chunky Irish horse. And they certainly do less on a mooching hack than when they are hooning around in the field most days.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I think any horse or any level deserves a day or two off. I’ve always given my horses breaks even though we haven’t seriously competed I think it’s good that they have days to just horse.

 

[Sossigpoker]

New research has shown that two consecutive rest days is the most beneficial for horses in any level of work.

No not two consecutive days but two days off in a week were found to be optimal for stomach health (it was a study on environment and workload on gastric ulcers)

 

[Sossigpoker]

Mine tends to have 2 days off a week . I find he comes back better after a day's "rest".

 

[stangs]

And they certainly do less on a mooching hack than when they are hooning around in the field most days.

At risk of repeating myself until I become deranged, they are not carrying weight on their back when they are in the field. They are using different muscles. The point of a rest day is particularly to rest the muscles that carry the rider. 9st is still a hell of a lot on muscles that did not evolve to carry weight. Try carry a heavy backpack for a week in a row and see how your shoulders feel at the end.

Horses cannot verbally communicate to us if they're feeling sore, and many riders simply don't care/don't notice when they do try communicate it, so why not err on the side of caution?

I wouldn’t think it does much harm

Why do any harm at all? Does it really ruin a rider's life so much if they ride only 6 times a week? Is in hand work so boring?