Sorry I know i've asked already but hardly anyone has answered.......I was wondering whether anyone could think up a good weekly regime for my horse Jack when I ride him. Just one to get him fit, lose some weight, and increse his muscle on his neck and hindquarters. It would have to include 1 day off a week and atleast 1-2 days of jumping. I can ride for a maximum of 2 hours a night- after 4.00p.m. However, I only have 2 hours of menarge use every week included in my livery charge which can be split up into 1/2 hours, 3/4 hours etc, but his time could be followed by or after hacking, as there is quite a lot of it and there are fields for canter work. I just don't know how to combine all these things together and how long for!?! Also he is not that fit at the minute so please say how the regime would change as he becomes more able. Please please include as much info as possible. All answers welcome. Thanks.
2007-03-25 07:24:57 · 4 answers · asked by Sophie 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
The regime can be the same as he gets more fit- just increase the time.
A normal jumping/eventing schedule in my area is 1 day off then 2 days of flatwork, 1 day of hacking (cantering or trotting in the fields/trails with only small occasional jumps), then 2 day of flatwork and 1 day of arena jumping, and start the cycle again.
As for time- just do them as long as your horse can handle it. The flat work might be a half hour in the beginning, and can eventually move to an hour. A lot depends on the intensity. Jumping for the first few weeks- just do cavelletti and a couple oxers and verticals- keep it easy until he gets his muscles and stamina built up.
The first few weeks you might also want to just ride trails at a walk/trot for 1-2 of the days to get him exercise, but not strain his muscles, esp if he is not used to the work.
As he becomes more fit, increase the intensity (work harder, longer with more canter work). If you can feel him getting hard or tired, just quit- no need to fight with him (unless he is just doing it to be bad). He will let you know when enough is enough.
when I started riding my mare again after 3 months off, I rode 3 times a week for about a half an hour each time, mostly walking and trotting, working on suppling. The next month, I added in a bit of canter work. Now I ride, still suppling, but do more canter and forward trot work than before, usually riding for about an hour or so.
2007-03-25 08:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy sidereins and a surcingle and put him on a lunge line or round pen to develop topline and hindquarter muscling. If you do not know how to properly use sidereins ask someone because doing it the wrong way could have serious consequences. Do not ride with the side reins attached. Get draw reins to ride in so he is encouraged to carry himself properly.
Getting a horse fit takes time and consistency. It also take imagination and creativity because you do not want him to get bored. Don't ride him for 2 hours 5 days a week. Short periods of time of doing the right work is best. Proper warm up and cool down is also extremely important so he doesn't get injured.
If you want to discuss a plan for him please email me at justabaycat@aol.com. I have a considerable amount of experience working with Off the Track TBs, training babies, and rehab work.
2007-03-25 07:53:49 · answer #2 · answered by Melanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A long trot is good for building muscle and stamina--start him at about 15 min and slowly lengthen the time--working him on a lunge line will also help him--I have a round pen, but I use to just snap a long line to the halter and it worked fine--any exercise is better than none--Good Luck with him!
2007-03-25 08:11:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I guess that when I excersize my horse, I just usually walk her and turn her in circle's then walk her a little more then trott her and turn her in circle's then trott her again then after that I just gallop her and then if it's nice out just let her run!
For me thats what I'm doing know because I live in Wisconsin and were just getting over winter so the horses need to loose their hay bellies and get in shape. So I ride them at least 2 or more times a week.
HoPe I hElPeD!!!
♥melissa♥
2007-03-25 07:34:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋