Re: RC: arena conditioning

["Janet Benke" <qhjanet@hotmail.com>]

I don't believe the analogy to a coat hanger works.  Consider weight 
training:  As I understand it, exercises are repeated daily in order to 
builld strength in the appropriate muscle groups with periodic days off to 
allow for rest and recover.  Varying the routine also helps the muscle 
groups.  I don't believe an athelete's bicep snaps from doing daily dumb 
bell lifting.

The question at hand is whether or not a horse can be conditioned by doing 
arena work.  The question is not whether the horse will be in the top ten on 
a 100 mile race, or be in condition to climb 3,000 ft in an hour.  If you 
train on trails in low elevation flat country your horse is not conditioned 
for the Rocky Mountains.  If you train in cold, wet mountainous country, 
your horse is not conditioned for the desert.

Given the tools and situation at hand, how can one make them work?  Using an 
arena is not a replacement for trail work.  A rider uses the information 
about the conditioning of the horse to make the decision on what kind of 
ride in which to compete.  I'd much rather condition using an arena and get 
some competition in, than not have the option of competing at all.

Janetb



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