ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Endurance Training: Tommy Crockett

[endurance] Endurance Training: Tommy Crockett

Karen Chaton (karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us)
Fri, 5 Jan 1996 11:27:25 -0800 (PST)

[ Part 2.1: "Attached Text" ]
>For an UNTRAINED HORSE getting ready to do his first endurance ride I've
>found that 100 miles of trail time (trot and canter) is necesaary for a
>period of 6 weeks with a rest week prior to the first 25 mile race. Once
>the horse is fit it's only necessary to maintain so this boring regimen
>is no longer necessary.
**************************************

Are you the person asking about info regarding training/conditioning for a
first endurance ride? You should probably get lots of responses from the
people on the endurance mail list.

Here's my advice - make sure you condition your horse for a lot longer than
a six week period (my gosh - I wouldn't enter my horse in a first 25 with
only six "months" of training) - remember it takes a long time to get the
soft tissue (muscles, ligaments) conditioned - I've been told and have read
that it really takes two years - and to get an endurance horse truly fit and
capable takes three years. Until then, make sure you take it easy on your
horse - whatever you do, don't race him. If you want more info on the
subject go to the endurance home page - there is info there on the AERC,
(American Endurance Ride Council), and in there you'll be able to find
riding handbooks, etc.

Hope this helps - Karen

(P.S. one more thing - "boring regimen" - what? Riding my horse is
definitely not a boring regimen)