Pretty hard question to answer. Each horse is
an individual so each horse's needs will be different. So one has to
figure out what will work best for each horse. LSD is a must. Once
that is done, then sprints really help. I would guess about 4 sprints for
9 - 10 miles. My sprints are anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 a mile and they are
full out. I get the heart rate as high as possible but it takes half mile
hill to get Maggie over 200. Then I see how long it takes her to
recover. I usually walk and watch the HM for 1 - 2 min. If the horse
recovers to the low 100s in a minute and a half, I figure she is fit.
Usually the recoveries are much faster. If it takes 2 min to recover to
the low 100s, then I don't do that particular sprint again that day.
Figure it was too much. Read the horse, the horse will tell you when you
are doing too much in between. The horse will get dull, try to bite you,
be flat, etc, on training rides and on the rides themselves. Once I figure
my horse is in shape, if I can go to a ride every other week, then I don't do
much in between. Just 2 or 3 rides, maybe a slow one (6 -7 mph), a
faster one. Don't do much over 10 miles either for each ride. I just
make sure the horse is sound and healthy. At the ride itself, I usually do
at least 50 miles. Each horse will have its various signs which one should
watch for. My old horse got dull in the coat when I was doing too
much, he also would try to bite me!, if my mare loses interest in snarling
at the neighbor's horse, then I know I am doing too much or if she isn't
willing to move out coming home is another sign. Conclusion is that there
is no set way to determine whether one is doing too much or not enough, it all
depends on the horse and it is each rider's job to figure out what is best for
one's horse. Jeanie
