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[RC] winter lay off - Tammy Shuck

Hi,
I have a question that I know there is no clear-cut answer to but I would like some opinions.  I have a 15 yr old Arab gelding that I have been doing endurance on since 04.  He has 830 endurance miles and 165 LD and 2 pull for lameness.  I have given him the last 2 winters off.  I pull his shoes and turn him out with his buddies on 20 acres and basically just feed him and check to make sure he is fat and happy.  This yr I started him back with 2 easy 10 mile rides in Feb and started riding 2 to 3 times a week in March.  I try to do shorter more intense rides with hill work for a total of about 20 to 30 miles a week.  My 1st ride is Whiskeytown this weekend.  It is a moderate ride and will be very warm for him (he still has his winter coat and the warmest day we have had so far was maybe 60).  Last yr.  I planned on the 50 but chickened out and did the 25.  He did great and it was a great training ride for him.  I would like to do the 50 but I really dont want to stress him.  How much training do people do who give there horses off in the winter.  I keep track of our training miles and we have about 140 for the yr.  When I look at it that way it doesnt seem like much.  Our last ride was a 60 at the end of October and he finished in the top 10.  He seems to be getting stronger every yr but I would really like to hear from some others who give there horses time off in the winter and see how they bring there horses back.
 
Thanks,
Tammy