ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Conditioning 4 y.o.

Re: Conditioning 4 y.o.

tetervin@bms.com
Wed, 16 Jul 1997 08:18:46 -0500 (EST)

I have a 4 year old also, a Morab filly, and we've been in training from the
ground work on up since December. She works 4 days a week, 3 of which are in
the dressage ring so these are demanding days for her, mentally and sometimes
physically. We spend from 45 minutes to an hour working in the ring. On the
4th work day we go trail riding (used to be a trail walk with me on the ground
leading her). the trail rides are on easy terrain and are slow- mostly walking
but some trot too and we've worked up to 1 hour and about 20minutes and I aim
to extend the time each week. She comes back from the trail rides with very
little sweat under the saddle and has been more or less perfect in her
behavior out there. What I am getting at is that there is conditioning value
in doing dressage or some
other form of mentally and physically challenging training done in the ring.
She almost always has a day off between work days and sometimes she gets a
little break. This seems to help her absorb her lessons mentally and refreshes
her attitude. -Amy and Joselle

Home Events Groups Rider Directory Market RideCamp Stuff