Re: A good mare

[flemmerl@rcbhsc.wvu.edu (Flemmer, Linda)]

Nancy DuPont wrote:
> 
> I just bought a 4 year old mare, a Seeqo daughter out of a Karadjordje mare.
> 
> The question: How many times a week, how many hours or miles should I start
> riding this mare to get her in condition. I am going to start with NATRC to
> get her ready and I once heard from Bev Tibbits it takes 3 months of
> conditioning to make an open NATRC.

What she quoted for you was the time it takes to prepare a horse's
cardiovascular system.  The bones & tendons are only just starting to
develop at that point.

My last horse had 3 mos of progressively longer rides (started at 12
miles over 3 hours and progressed to 25 miles in 4 hours).  At the end
of that season, we did a 25 and a 30 CTR (ECTRA _ pace was 5-6 mph). He
completed in good shape, but low scores because he was so "up" and
excited by the activity that his heart rate wouldn't come down like it
normally did.  That improved with simple experience!

Back then, we lived where we could train all winter, and we did...  One
slow short ride (5-10 mph) and one long (25 mile) ride each week plus
complete turnout unless the weather was horrid.  The next spring, he
completed the Old Dominion 50 in the top third, and was 3rd HW without
straining himself at all.  He might have done better if I was a more
gutsy downhill rider. :-(

When we started, he was an unbroke 9 year old.  I might be more
conservative with a 4 yo who had never worked.  She needs to develop her
back and abdominal muscles to carry you.  You don't want her so tired
that she begins to dislike the work.

You can never go back to change a mistake by training too quickly.  You
can <always> step things up if she is doing well.  Just remember that
bone remodeling takes 2+ years!

Linda Flemmer


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