RideCamp@endurance.net
RE: Stress of racing to youngsters/Conditioning youngsters
<<<<Human athletes who begin as tiny tots
generally out perform those who come to
the sport as a teenager or adult.
I am thinking particularly of gymnastics
and swimming and ice skating,
>>>
And by
the time they mature they are physical, mental and social wrecks in many
cases.
Bob
Just some thoughts, no scientifically
researched information, nor degrees
opinion.
Bodies adept to
stress, both young and old.
Use creates strength in both young and old.
Human athletes who begin as tiny tots generally out perform those who come
to
the sport as a teenager or adult. I am thinking particularly of
gymnastics
and swimming and ice skating, but believe this carries through
other sports
as well.
Lack of use creates weakness. (Use it or
loose it is so true)
The horse needs to learn so much, to gain so much
strength to do what we want.
In nature he is expected to keep up with the
herd from almost the moment of
birth. He has the speed to do so.
In nature there is no sparing the baby
nor the youth, and just maybe
the horse is built to take a degree of hard use
as a youth.
Again,
this is just thinking out loud, thoughts to wonder about.
Could it be
possible that the soft plates prevent breakage, and can repair
and
strengthen because they are still growing? Maybe during youth is the
best time to improve strength, agility, recoveries, sure footedness?
In an adult horse we condition only to the point before injury, but to
where
the body will rebuild it's self stronger. Youth is the very
special time for
growth and building. The body is programed to do
that. When adult, some of
that very specially ability to adapt to
demand, to the conditions of the
environment, is lost.
Perhaps
programing the body in youth in the direction of the adult
requirements
will create a stronger, more specialized body.
Maybe the rule to remember
is not to condition to the point of injury, but
only to the point where
repair will build a stronger system, be it
respiratory, bone, mussel or
mind.
Horses break down from use. Horses get stronger from use.
Both statements
are true. I am beginning to wonder if that
might be possible during both
youth and as an adult. The wise choice
might be to be careful not to cross
the line of over use at any age.
Perhaps in some racing stables some limited stress is put on youth to find
the individual who is not fast enough or structurally strong enough to go
into the program, and also to stress the body just enough to build it
stronger and faster.
No flames, just thoughts.
Lynge
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