Longer or Faster?
JBagford@aol.com
Fri, 1 Nov 1996 00:37:43 -0500
Going on a training ride this weekend. My horse has 3 years of conditioning
and 2 seasons of 50 milers, so no sweat doing just about anything on the 9
mile loop trail we condition on. Friends horse is 11 years old, was always
consistantly ridden in her pre-endurance days but never for long distances
(Was a barrel racer). a year ago he started doing LSD, hoping to do 1 or 2
50's this year. Well about 3 months into it the mare begins filling in her
front legs after a good workout. Never any real noticable heat, nothing on
ultrasound. Just to be safe he gave her 80 days out to pasture, some easy
ring work toward the end then began bringing her back slowly. She has been
doing 9-15 miles twice a week with one day of easy ring work and mabey an
hour on the hot walker 1 or 2 days a week. The 9-15 miles is at least half at
a walk with some trotting and a very little cantering.
Here is the question, it is time to step up the pace on this mare. James
wants to go out and "See what she can do". In other words do the 9 miles at
10mph instead of the 5mph he's been doing it. My opinion is that we should do
18 miles at 5mph (mabey 7 tops). I am a relative newcomer to this sport,
James has never been to an endurance race, so we are willing to listen to the
voice of experience here. What do you think?
Some factors to consider; The trail is good, not to rocky, no deep sand.
Moderate hills. The mare is VERY aggressive, she will run untill she drops.
She also paddles when she gets excited. James does not post (Though I am
trying to get him to learn). Thanks for any opinions ('specially the ones
that agree with me, wink)
Jane
JBagford@aol.com
Ogden,UT