//--- forwarded letter -------------------------------------------------------
> endurance-digest Saturday, 6 January 1996 Volume 01 : Number 256
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>
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> From: Karen Chaton <karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us>
> Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 11:27:25 -0800 (PST)
> Subject: [endurance] Endurance Training: Tommy Crockett
>
> [ 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.
> **************************************
>
> 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.
The soft tissues and the heart/lung capacity contition at the fastest speed.
Usually after about 2-3 months of aerobic exercise you should see improved recovery
and lower heart rates.
The hard tissues however can take up to a year to improve. This can be seen
in hoof growth by observing the condition of the hoof during this period.
Have you ever had an injury to a horses coronary band (just above the hoof)?
The injury will cause a deformity in the hoof wall that you can watch grow down
as time goes by. About 6 months later it will be at the bottom of the hoof wall.
> 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.
>
>
> (P.S. one more thing - "boring regimen" - what? Riding my horse is
> definitely not a boring regimen)
I think Tommy was referring to the horse getting bored. They do get bored of the same
routine and may even hate going out on rides. Keep the terrain varied and the
schedule flexible. You'll both enjoy it more.
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> End of endurance-digest V1 #256
> *******************************
Ray Santana
UC Davis Medical Center
Network Operations
raymond.santana@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu