Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Jobs and Training

>For those of you with full time jobs, how do you get in training time
during the week in the winter months?  I am starting 2 coming 4 year
olds (for LD) and one 11 year old for the 2003 season.  I have found
that here in Texas, you can ride just about all year long but I am
having problems finding time during the week because of the lack of
daylight.  Any suggestions?

Well, I just wouldn't consider starting 4-year-olds in the winter, for one.
I'd concentrate my winter efforts on one horse only, and that would be the
older horse that might be ready to do longer distances early in the season.
You're not clear whether the older horse is already going, or if it is also
just being started.  If it is a horse that you are bringing on for the early
rides, just ride half an hour two evenings a week (in the dark, if
necessary) and do one longer ride every weekend, and you can be ready for
completions on early 50's with no problem.  Also, horses that have been
campaigned in previous years will "maintain" over the winter with less
riding than that.  I like to give ours some time off, during the worst of
the winter.

With the 4-year-olds--they aren't old enough for a "career" of LD's next
summer anyway--start them when the days are longer, and work toward just two
or three rides as their minds and bodies are ready.  Don't try to write a
schedule for them, and then try to condition to it.  Ride them, and then one
day each one will just be "ready"--and when that time comes and it is
appropriate to their level of mental readiness, just throw in an LD as their
weekend training ride.

Heidi


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