<Hi folks,
I am considering purchasing a lovely 11-yr-old Arab gelding. He has been used
mainly for trails and pleasure, but he's got a lot of energy and I wonder
Some questions...
1) Is 11 too old to begin a horse for competitive trail riding?>>>
Heck, no. Not in my book, anyway. Some people like to start with a four or five
year old, but it all depends on your goals and the individual. Ideally, he's
been in fairly regular work and has had the benefit of some hills in his daily
life (i.e., not a pasture ornament). Hopefully he is not terribly overweight and
has had regular hoof care, good nutrition, etc. If he's a nicely made horse (as
you describe) with a willing disposition, then go for it!
<<2) Any suggestions for a training regimen? I work 9-5 and would like to ride
4-5 times/week.>>>
"Work at home" at least two days a week; ride when it's light out, then work
into the evening. Ride every waking moment on weekends. As the days grow longer,
so will your weekday rides.
Even so, there are few shortcuts: the *never been fit* older horse will have to
be brought along about as slowly and just as carefully as a youngster. He will
let you know how fast he can move along in his training. Riding four to five
times a week is ideal -- see what he can handle and start there, then gradually
add distance and later speed to your rides. Keep a written record of your
progress. Recently there has been an excellent post (Wendy Milner's "Start From
Scratch") on this topic. Just remember that horses don't always fit
"prescriptions." A training prescription gives you a starting point -- your
horse is the ultimate judge of how you're doing. Training involves asking your
horse a series of questions, then listening carefully for the answers. If you
are doing too much too soon, you'll see signs like filling in the ankles, loss
of hair coat shine and a sulky attitude. Signs of emerging fitness include a
horse asking for more, a glossy haircoat and skin with a fine capillary network,
a good appetite and a bright eye.
Just came across a document written by Matthew Mackay-Smith, DVM, some years ago
on "Progressive Precision Training." He writes:
"...your goal in the first two to four months of preparation should be to work
up from approximately five miles in one hour to 10 miles in one hour,
alternately picking up the distance and then the speed in 10-days to two-week
increments. A horse who can do 10 miles in one hour four or five days a week,
retaining a good attitude, a good appetite and staying sound is ready to go on
most competitive trail rides of the one- or two-day variety. ..."
There is more, but you can see the direction it's going. I'll see if I can get
permission to put more of this out, if you think it would be helpful.
Good luck -- hope you get him!
Regards
Bobbie Lieberman
and Fine Print (Of whom Matthew said when he first saw her, "That looks like
transportation!")