"maybe 2 or 3 weeks, prior to a 100 mile ride, and
then 2-4 weeks off after as well. Can anyone with years of experience with
100's, tell me if this usually complete time off, with
only pasture turn-out, or, are the horses usually still ridden
lightly."
2-4 after the 100 is easy--absolutely a good idea,
so long as there is adequate turnout. I wait until my horse "asks" to go
out on trail again.
The other question is tougher, because it: 1)
depends on your horse's athleticism (more experienced horses hold their fitness
better) and personality (does he get whacko if not ridden?) and living
conditions (plenty of space, and does he use it?), and 2) it's an individual
rider thing--there are very successful riders who train hard almost up to the
event (Suzy Kelley), and others who completely lay off several weeks before and
do well too.
I tend to ride only 2 or 3 times in the last
couple of weeks before a 100, each ride of decreasing mileage, and then
decreasing speed as well to where the last ride is pokey (as much as possible,
which with a couple of my horses is frighteningly easy.)
So, I guess bottom line is it's a "feel" thing you
develop and there are no hard and fast rules. Hope this
helps!
