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RE: [SPAM] [RC] Hill training vs. the flat - heidi

You answered your own question, sort of, in your 3rd sentence--you are training different muscle groups on the flat.  So there isn't any "conversion" formula--if you are going to utilize all the muscle groups, you need to do both.
 
One of the most eye-opening experiences of my early days as a ride vet was watching a lovely and very fit little QH mare Top Ten a fast, flat ride, and then a few hours later present with colic-like symptoms.  She had been trained exclusively in the hills, and had recovered beautifully all day.  But on exam, she had good gut sounds, etc., and I was a bit puzzled until I realized that her belly muscles were abnormally hard--she was tied up in the belly muscles, which had been stressed more and differently than they were used to by miles and miles of flat trotting.  Her butt muscles (which we more often see involved in tie-ups) were just fine.
 
Heidi


Now for the question:
 
5 miles of rugged up and down = ____ miles of training on the flat?    In order to train on the flat I'll have to haul on the weekend.  I'm thinking I'm training different muscle sets on hills than flat?  Trying to get a feel for where she's at to determine which mileage loop of trail (distance) to hit next when we go for the flat. 
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