I have a question that I know there is no clear-cut answer to but I would like some opinions. I have a 15 yr old Arab gelding that I have been doing endurance on since 04. He has 830 endurance miles and 165 LD and 2 pull for lameness. I have given him the last 2 winters off. I pull his shoes and turn him out with his buddies on 20 acres and basically just feed him and check to make sure he is fat and happy. This yr I started him back with 2 easy 10 mile rides in Feb and started riding 2 to 3 times a week in March. I try to do shorter more intense rides with hill work for a total of about 20 to 30 miles a week. My 1st ride is Whiskeytown this weekend. It is a moderate ride and will be very warm for him (he still has his winter coat and the warmest day we have had so far was maybe 60). Last yr. I planned on the 50 but chickened out and did the 25. He did great and it was a great
training ride for him. I would like to do the 50 but I really dont want to stress him. How much training do people do who give there horses off in the winter. I keep track of our training miles and we have about 140 for the yr. When I look at it that way it doesnt seem like much. Our last ride was a 60 at the end of October and he finished in the top 10. He seems to be getting stronger every yr but I would really like to hear from some others who give there horses time off in the winter and see how they bring there horses back.
