Basic features of endurance training
The endurance training regimen can get a healthy young horse ready to cover nearabout 80 kilometres slowly. To allow the horse to adjust to its own pace, do not rush any stages and maintain your patience.
The phase of conditioning - You ought to work the horse to build strength sufficient for damage-free completion of endurance rides. This will take time, but you cannot skip this step.
The phase of hard work - This requires the horse to exert more effort than he is used to, which is hard labour. The horse's pulse will usually be higher than the usual 20 minutes following the training. That implies that you stressed it.
The phase of recovery - You give the horse a day or two to relax and recuperate from the stress. You can work your horse for 20 minutes while doing ring work, schooling, a mild hack or outride, etc.
A balance of resting and exercising is essential. Maintain a Sunday off-work rule. Make sure the workload is not too demanding for the horse on the other days. He should only need to keep up his fitness and get stronger.
The programme of endurance training
To completely train the horse so that he can be ridden hard, three seasons of endurance racing are required. He will not be prepared to endure harm if you take a shortcut. The stages must be extended if you intend to keep your horse barefoot in order to give the hooves more time to adjust. The hoof has more opportunity to adapt and recuperate when riding greater distances more gradually over a longer period of time.
A horse must move forward and not sag. Use a variety of terrain types, such as rocky, uneven, hills or mountains, sand, and even tar roads for short distances, to help it adjust. The horse may develop powerful muscles by just moving uphill. If the horse is fatigued or out of breath, start trotting gently and alternate with rounds of walking. The horse's pace should gradually increase throughout the period as it gets younger and less experienced. The horse can build long, powerful strides in this manner.
Horses may work in a variety of ways. You can work your horse less frequently if the workload is too demanding. Prior to your participation in an endurance ride, give the horses more time to condition. To get the most out of endurance training, keep track of the horse's progress in terms of fitness.
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