Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Title: RE: [RC] French system

Maybe Kathy, but I can tell you that I don't know any french guy conditioning in the deep sand.
I don't see the point when you live near the race of FLorac to look for deep sand. Maybe this could help to make some other muscles work. But they don't do.

This discussion initiated with the french system.

Dubai's trainer for example use deep sand for conditioning, but... they don't have hills, only fast tracks and dunes. Once again, everyone use the going and environment Mother Nature has given.

As far as Nancy Elliot, ok, I don't want to discuss this issue. I can generally agree with this assertion. In the reality there are many many examples to prove the opposite. Riders from mountains winning flat races and riders from north of France (flat like ... like my hand or Jane Birkin :-)    coming to Florac and winning.

Anyway you must be sleeping now. have a good sleep
Leonard, Belgium

-----Original Message-----
From: kathy.mayeda@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:kathy.mayeda@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wed 10/10/2007 12:34 AM
To: LIESENS Leonard (COMM); liberty4640@xxxxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; PFmorabs@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [RC]   French system

I think that the "vital energy" that you are referring to is key to a good endurance horse.  I think that it's a horse that has the whole mental, emotional and physical makeup and focus that makes a superior equine athlete.

There is an article in this month's Endurance News that's an interview with Nancy Elliot, DVM.  (She has worked on my horses as a chiropractor, too.)   She states that you have to train in same conditions as the competition.  She made specific reference to deep sand.  A horse that hasn't trained in these conditions will not have the muscle and ligament strength to withstand the extra exertion required to go through sand.

Also think that flat land training is not conducive for a horse to be a good hill horse.

K