Ridecamp: [RC] Concussion

My gelding and I need to condition for concussion.  There is a crushed
bluestone trail (a rails-to-trails project) that we can get to once a week,
but I'm not sure how slowly to start out or how quickly to increase distance
or speed.  [Yes, I know not to increase both at the same time.]

Our work currently is on wooded trails or riding the perimeter of large hay
fields, usually doing twelve miles or so.  Would starting on bluestone doing
five miles be too much?  Should we, initially, walk that distance or would
it be okay to do some (maybe 25%) trotting?  If there's no sign of fill or
heat afterwards, would it then be okay to increase the speed or distance the
next ride?  If so, how much distance can we add the next time?

Thanks.

Cindy



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