RE: re: Conditioning Tips/Schedules for The Full Time Worker

["Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

>>>>It is your job to make sure you have as much horse
crossing the finish line as you did heading out the gate that morning.>>>>

It is my firm belief that if you take this attitude you will never develop a
good endurance horse. Stress is what builds. Over stress is what breaks
down. There is a fine line on each. Not enough stress and you do not build.
To much stress and you break down.

However to have as much horse crossing the finish line as you did heading
out the gate that morning means that you have not stressed at all. You
should end up with a tired horse but not an exhausted horse. In developing a
top endurance horse it is imperative that you ride the horse to the best of
its ability and
capability for that particular day.

Bob Morris

-----Original Message-----
From: Becky Huffman [mailto:tos@htcomp.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2001 7:00 PM
To: kdekany@custom-edge.com; ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: re: Conditioning Tips/Schedules for The Full Time Worker


I expected to see a lot of replies to this.  I guess most people are having
better weather then us today and are out riding.  ....so I'll give it a
shot.

I think it is ok to 'compete' (I use the term loosely) with minimal
conditioning as long as you are *very* aware of where your horse is in
regards to fitness and stick to doing rides he has a chance of finishing
sound and healthy.  If you are riding a few minutes each night, are you able
to do longer rides on the weekends? start with some some 5 mile rides and
when those are easy for him, go 10, then 15 (walk-jog-trot)((over 4-6wks)).
If he can do that *easily*, still fresh when you get back, he should be able
to do a 4-5hr 25 over moderate terrain once a month.

When conditioning time is an issue, I think it is smart to reverse the
normal order of preparing to peak for particular competitions - instead you
should evaluate your horse the couple of weeks prior and make your decision
to go or stay home, or what distance to ride, based on your recent
conditioning rides, his attitude and soundness.  It keeps you from locking
the kids in a stall so you can get your riding time in without a babysitter.

The danger is that he might feel *REALLY* good for those first 5-10 miles
because that has become routine to him, but don't overestimate he knows how
far you are going.  It is your job to make sure you have as much horse
crossing the finish line as you did heading out the gate that morning.

Becky Huffman, Cleburne, Texas
Huffman's Arabians ~ The Original Series ~
http://www.htcomp.net/Huffman/

"Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from
doing something worthwhile." Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865--1940)


----- Original Message -----
From: <guest@endurance.net>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2001 4:14 PM
Subject: RC: Conditioning Tips/Schedules for The Full Time Worker


> Kim
> Hi - Looking for some tips or advice.
>
> I just purchased an 11yr old gelding that has shown most of his life...but
has never done endurance/competitive trail. So he needs conditioning! He
will be a rookie this year - I did 2LD's last summer on an experienced
endurance horse...so we will only be doing LD's until we are both more
experienced.
>
> Anyway, I work full time, and my job does require travel. I TRY to ride 5x
a week, usually 30-45min sessions...but currently in the midwest it is cold
and snowy...so my rides are indoors in the arena, and it gets boring after
20 mins!
>
> Just curious to know what those of you with limited riding time do to get
your horse in acceptable condition for ride season? I have books with
several conditioning programs, but they are not always realistic for those
folks that
> work.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=