| 1st & 2nd
Week |
Ride
the horse at a walk/trot 3 to 4 days a week
for 1 hour each day to begin initial legging
up.
|
| 3rd
Week |
3
to 4 days riding - 1 to 1 1⁄2 hour each
day. Walk up and down all hills and ravines,
trot on all flat areas.
|
| 4th
Week |
3
to 4 days riding - 1 to 2 hours each day.
Trot up ravines or small hills when possible
and
over rough or primitive terrain. Walk up
some very long, steep hills, (if possible,),
Always
walk down all hills & ravines.
|
| 5th & 6th
Week |
3
to 4 days riding - Rotate the following regimen
for the days you are able to ride. #1 Two hour
slows trail ride. #2 Two hours primarily trot,
some walking, a little cantering on primarily
flat surfaces. #3 Two to three hours, primarily
trot, (work on elongating trot), work on hills,
and primitive rough terrain.
|
| 7th & 8th
Week |
3
to 4 days riding - two hours at extended
trot primarily. 3rd or 4th day try 4 hour
ride.
Walking & trotting only.
|
| 9th & 10
Week |
2
to 4 days of riding, depending on how long
you are able to ride.... balance between longer,
harder rides with more rest time in-between.
Don't ever increase speed and distance during
the same training ride. Primarily trot, salt
in an occasional canter, and walk for recovery,
when needed. A working heart rate between 110 & 140
is appropriate. Horse should recover to below
70 within 1 to 3 minutes anytime it is stopped.
|
| 11th & 12th
Week |
2
to 3 days of riding 2 to 3 hours each time.
Use your judgment and horses attitude to adjust
speed, length of work, and toughness of terrain
to your workouts. Listen to your horse. If
he seems tired or sluggish, back off for 3
or 4 days. He will not loose that much conditioning.
Try to find as many different places to train
that you can. Horses actually can become dull
and bored with same ole trails.
|
AAA
You and your partner should now be ready to tackle
a moderately paced 25 or 30-mile race. If your
horse handles that in good shape, you're ready
for 50 miles within 3 to 4 weeks. Continue at
least twice weekly rides totally approximately
20 to
30 miles to keep his base conditioning. If you
compete at least once a month, the competition
will act as all the other conditioning that you
need. |
