Winter training - what are your plans and goals?

We've just discovered a foot-balance issue so are now in the process of rectifying with a new farrier. Thankfully it's not terrible and should only take another 1 or 2 more shoeings to sort out.

Had a few minor training issues which now all make complete sense, so I feel horrendous that I didn't notice what it was :( big slap on the wrist for me. So our winter will be spent sorting these issues, thankfully they are only minor so shouldn't be too difficult. Really want to nail some of our basic lateral movements as it can all be a bit wishy-washy with the aim of maybe starting some half-pass. Also want to come into spring with really easy simple-changes. We can do them, but far from perfect. I sense a theme here!


Otherwise, I will be trying to lose some weight and up my fitness (fallen off the wagon recently, need to get back on that treadmill!). I'd also like to leave winter jumping 80-85cm super confidently.

No real focus on competing, but maybe a few dressage outings with some arena XC thrown in for good measure!
 
Tiddlypom said:
Are you me :D? T has had a few niggles, and has recently had a course of Cartrophen and both hocks jabbed after x rays showed bilateral hock arthritis. Her right hind is more affected. Physio gave her a really good treament last week before popping off for international duties (I'm so lucky to have her). Waiting on the saddle fitter coming out this week, as T has altered shape, then hopefully back on board for the long slow fittening and straightening work.
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Lol if you have any tips for making it less boring then let me know :D :D luckily physio thinks no problems requiring vet intervention for us (phew!!!) but all I keep getting told is “there’s a long way to go” :D

I’ve bought 101 schooling exercises to give us some variety :)
 
Well my competition mare is off work turned away looking like a wooly mammoth currently as Im 8 months pregnant. I stopped riding her 2 months ago and am hoping to be back in the saddle ASAP after baby comes, so desperate to NOT have a c-section for a start! Theres an event in January Id like to do if all goes to plan (my due date is 7th December)... My aim being just to get my stomach and core muscles back again as last time I ended up with a c-section and felt very wobbly and unbalanced riding for months!
 
My plans are a bit in the air atm, depending massively on me seeing the consultant next week :(

But they are:

1) Nail the dressage!! I want him working more over his back and relaxing through the shoulder more, he needs to learn to let go so i'm hoping some intense lessons coupled with his break we can attack the dressage fresh! aim for some unaff dressage comps and get him working consistently at novice
2) Get him moving better in between fences, opening up his stride so we stop putting extra strides in combinations so lots and lots of gridwork when we get jumping again. Aim for some arena eventing, JAS BS shows
3) have some hunting fun!

I would love to say i have plans for the big boy but right now hes lame again so for him i hope and pray he comes sound.... its not looking likely though and this is something i'm actually really struggling with :(
 
Canter pirouettes and tempi changes for the black bonkers carriage horse.

General progression for the grey bonkers carriage horse :lol:.
 
Congrats for the new arrival MM, that's pretty exciting! Levrier - I'm not at the same level I suspect but I've been working on nailing the basics with a new ins and we've come on loads in just a few weeks, so don't despair! Sorry to hear about your confidence issue LP that's such a bummer as you were doing so well.

Mine is a mixture of not much and prob too much!! Most of all, for us both to stay healthy and happy, and have fun. To carry on with our training boot camp, having regular lessons which are doing wonders for us both. To not get over worried about pushing myself too far and too fast but keep the challenges enjoyable, having had a confidence issue myself with jumping.

So to distill that rather confusing list - unaff dressage, low level jumping, a bit of hunting, and at home to continue schooling hacking and jumping practice. And try to motivate myself to go to the gym and get some flipping physio as I'm a creaky old woman these days.

Oh, and if that wasn't enough haha, to get some help with my confidence issues. Phew.

ETA my goal is to complete the Wobbleberry Challenge BE80 which I've deferred from this year.
 
ihatework said:
My new, recently backed, 17hh Welsh x will be going out in the trailer somewhere most weekends for the next 4 months. No competing, just RC clinics, arena hires, lessons, clear round - until the Welshiness anxiety subsides.

Aim by the end of it is he is secure to the contact in all 3 gaits. Not excessively tense/looky & ready to go out affiliated BD/BE/BS
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Can't wait to see you out and about.
 
Lévrier;13660364 said:
Lol if you have any tips for making it less boring then let me know :D :D luckily physio thinks no problems requiring vet intervention for us (phew!!!) but all I keep getting told is “there’s a long way to go” :D

I’ve bought 101 schooling exercises to give us some variety :)
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Good luck, as T's so unfit we're a way off doing anything other than straight lines. Luckily she's great on the roads, so slow hacks it is once the blimmin' saddle is sorted. Does your physio use tape to activate a lazy hind leg? Mine does, and I did get some funny looks when we hacked out with duct tape strips stuck to her quarters in strategic places :D.
 
rara007 said:
Fitness and strength! I want to make it to FEI 2* by midseason next summer so we can finish off abroad. He's never truely been fit so the work starts now (I have relatively limited time). He's been to his first ODE which was a success so physical strength is the main aim as the schooling is already nearly there.
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Have I misunderstood you or the grading system? He's done one ODE so far, and you plan to have him at FEI intermediate championship level by mid season next year? He must be some horse! And you're obviously a pro level rider, clearly. I envy you that objective to inspire your winter training on dull damp days.

I plan to have my immature QHx arrive at eight behaving like a good five year old. That will be huge progress for the poor challenged boy :)
 
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ycbm said:
Have I misunderstood you or the grading system? He's done one ODE so far, and you plan to have him at FEI intermediate championship level by mid season next year? He must be some horse! And you're obviously a pro level rider, clearly. I envy you that objective to inspire your winter training on dull damp days.
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Pretty sure rara is aiming at driving her pony at FEI...
 
Started last night with 'No tack November' :lol: not sure it will last mind!

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milliepops said:
No worries... keep an eye out for her posts if you get the chance, he's an absolutely gorgeous pony!
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Pretty sure all the FEI disciplines are starred now?
For driving 2* is actually championship 'open' level, he's schooling at that level already (vaguely equivalent to elem under saddle but with differences). He's part of the GBR development squad so though I'm no pro (though not new to this level) we're getting a lot of support and he's pretty special even if I am biased :) As I'm an 'advanced' national driver intermediate level is the lowest level he can come out at and he's not eligible for championships below open. I thought you knew he drove ycmb after you were upset that I rode him with our proportions ;p
 
We have a ig winter planned as our Kissing Spine op rehab starts next week! So will be a long slog of a winter but look forward to seeing the transformation come the spring.

For baby horse, well I need to finish backing her first! Then we will have a quiet winter hacking and light schooling with maybe a few little intro dressage or funride outings in the new year!

I really think it is good to have goals or an aim to get through the winter, Spring seems to far away at this point!
 
rara007 said:
Pretty sure all the FEI disciplines are starred now?
For driving 2* is actually championship 'open' level, he's schooling at that level already (vaguely equivalent to elem under saddle but with differences). He's part of the GBR development squad so though I'm no pro (though not new to this level) we're getting a lot of support and he's pretty special even if I am biased :) As I'm an 'advanced' national driver intermediate level is the lowest level he can come out at and he's not eligible for championships below open. I thought you knew he drove ycmb after you were upset that I rode him with our proportions ;p
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Sounds exciting rara. Can't say I've ever been 'upset' about any rider on this forum riding their own horse unless it was as lame as a duck :) I can place you now, though. Very cute golden pony ?


My objective for the immature one has gone out of the window already - he bucked me off and bloodied my nose this morning and I can't stop it bleeding! He's not done that for over three years :(
 
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