[QUOTE=Kyzteke;5571111]
Go to the AERC site; they have TONS of articles and (as I recall) several on conditioning a young horse. [/QUOTE]
So you have a link?
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;5571111]
Lots of people use HR monitors these days, but I’m surprised at how many really good, successful endurance riders DON’T use them. [/QUOTE]
I have a HR monitor I used with Durdu but I haven’t “plugged Geya in” yet. Aside from basic curiosity about what her resting pulse is, right now she isn’t working any any intensity level though would make a HR monitor very useful. It is good to use to maintain a training log with, though, and I really should start for that reason alone.
They do and I have asked on it but have not gotten any replies. Also posted on www.enduranceriding.com. Thought I had posted on Ridecamp, but maybe not.
I wrote a blog post that echoes a lot of the really excellent advice you got here. It basically chronicles in an abstract way how we bring along our young endurance horses.
There’s so much TRAINING to do with a four year old that I wouldn’t worry too much about an actual conditioning schedule.
Sorry – one of my mares foaled abit early (as in “I’m not ready yet”) so I kind of lost the last few days attending to her, then catching up on all the stuff I didn’t do while attending to her.
Google American Endurance Riders Conference (AERC) – that will take you where you want to go.
Also, if you’ve already signed up for Ridecamp, you might want to just search their archives; I’m sure this subject has been discussed many, many times.
Books:“The Complete Guide to Endurance Riding & Competition” by Donna Snyder-Smith and “Endurance Riding” by Lew Hollander are the only 2 I know of that address the sport of endurance exclusively. And Hollander’s book was written in 1989, & the sport has changes ALOT since then. Even the most recent edition was done back in 2000, so I didn’t find it particularly useful.
You might just want to join AERC – the membership fee is very reasonable; $40 a year, I think (might be more for overseas, but maybe get your mom to join). When I joined part of the package was info on conditioning and prepping for a ride.
And they put out a magazine 6x a year that has loads of good info in it as well.
But honestly – alot of it is just plain common sense.
I know I’ve heard many, many accomplished riders say the most common thing they see is overconditioning – meaning the horse leaves his ride on the trail. He has no energy left for the actual competition, because his rider has trained him so much.
And horses left out on a large pasture 24/7 tend to be pretty fit anyway. I took out my fat Arab, (who was NEVER in “endurance riding” condition in the first place) straight o/o the pasture after not being ridden in almost 2 years and did a 15 mile ride in about 4 hrs. Much of it was mountains, too.
She sure got all foamy between her little chubby butt cheeks, but she finished the ride just fine. No colics, swollen legs, etc. Ate her dinner just like she always does and the next day she was bucking & snorting around the pasture per normal.
My #1 endurance “mentor” who tends to ride conservatively and has been very successful in her ride history, tells me that a typical, healthy horse who has been pasture raised can easily be conditioned to do a 25 miler in 3 months. We’re talking finishing, not Top 10’ing.
For a youngster, I’d throw in another month for the “training” aspect (as opposed to conditioning), and you’d be good to go.
Trailered her to our first dressage “lesson” today. The trainer, a pupil of Nuno Oliveira, was really pleased with her (also commented on her lovely butt!). Of course she had more issues with my riding than with my filly (dropping my right shoulder, doing funny things with my fingers on the reins, etc.). I am NOT a dressage rider
She even said that her next horse might have to be a teke- would I breed one for her?
At any rate, she gave me a bunch of things to work on as we toodle along the forest trails. And Geya saw yet another new and strange place, not to mention her first time in an arena. Behaved herself perfectly, aside from finally decided that she did NOT want to go into the trailer. Hopefully I will be able to get that worked out with her before it becomes any kind of issue.
I searched AERC and found (and read) the Rider’s Handbook. Really good reading. I have to admit being quite jealous of the way North American rides are organized. Until you get up to the 140-160km lengths, most people trailer in and out on the same day. No ridecamp as such, and very very few two day rides.
Tomorrow we are back in the forest with me working on holding up my right shoulder and sitting tall, and Geya soaking up more experiences.
Hope all went well with your foaling, Katrina, even though it was early.
[QUOTE=Ozalynda;5577753]
Thanks Patti! That was inspirational. :yes: Just what I needed to counter the influence of those who think I might be going too slowly.[/QUOTE]
They aren’t the ones who will have to rehab or retire your horse! Don’t ever let anyone pressure you into doing anything with your mare that you don’t feel comfortable with. Specifically with such a young horse.
She is coming along well. After 4½ months under saddle, we are just starting some canter work on the trails. Working on changing speed and gaits. Rating, etc. Unfortunately most of our riding is still by ourselves since it isn’t so easy to find riding companions. Our first practice endurance ride will be at the end of the month for a little 15 km “for fun” ride.
Wide bearing surface, kneepads (essential with a young horse prone to sudden stops), unique girthing system which lets you place the girth more forward or more backward depending on the horse’s conformation. I bought it used a couple of years ago and I love it. I was relieved that it fits Geya since I was not looking forward to another saddle hunt.
