| Horses are natural athletes and capable of great | | | | The first type of training is long distance slow work; |
| speed, scope over obstacles and stamina. However it | | | | this includes walking for long periods with increasing |
| is important that a horse is fully prepared for the work | | | | amounts of trot. For a young or previously untrained |
| it is expected to do. If a horse does not have the level | | | | horse this can take 3 - 12 months depending on the |
| of fitness and training necessary for the discipline it is | | | | goal. An older horse being brought back into work |
| competing in you will find that they have abnormal | | | | should have at least 6 - 9 weeks. This stage is crucial |
| physiological responses including greatly increased | | | | for the whole body fitness especially strengthening of |
| heart rate. They may show stiffness or injury which | | | | the musculoskeletal system. |
| can cause lameness and they will almost always have | | | | The next stage of intensity is strength conditioning |
| poor performance. By taking a horse to a competition | | | | work. The horse should be able to canter or gallop for |
| when they have not been prepared and fattened | | | | up to 1.5 miles before moving on to the third stage. This |
| appropriately you are putting both the horse and rider | | | | second stage should include technical training such as |
| at great risk. Regularly you see even the fittest of | | | | jumping or schooling. Hill work is a good way of |
| horses get tired and make mistakes towards the end | | | | strengthening. Uphill work increases fitness and |
| of a cross country course; imagine the damage that | | | | strength through the hindquarters. Downhill work will |
| could be caused by a horse that is not fit enough or | | | | strengthen the forelimb and pectoral muscles. Even |
| underprepared. | | | | though you have stepped up a gear it is important to |
| Before looking at a training or fitness plan for your | | | | remember the long distance work in between strength |
| horse it is important to consider what you are trying to | | | | work. |
| achieve with them. A dressage horse for example will | | | | The final stage of training is anaerobic fast work. This |
| need to use different muscles to an endurance horse | | | | is necessary for horses competing in sports such as |
| and will need a very different training plan. | | | | eventing, racing etc. The most effective way of |
| Successful training depends on progressive loading. | | | | increasing power and speed is by galloping. Depending |
| The volume and intensity of the work should be | | | | on the temperament of the horse this can be done by |
| increased gradually in initial stages, in latter stages | | | | continuous galloping or interval training. |
| intensity should be increased while volume decreases. | | | | |