Re: LD

RUN4BEAR@aol.com
Thu, 30 Jan 1997 08:31:43 -0500 (EST)

In a message dated 97-01-30 02:54:16 EST, you write:

(Teddy) > LD rides ARE training rides and should be treated as such. In
training,
> ALWAYS add distance BEFORE adding speed..

(Kat) "Ummm....I must heartily disagree with this. Though it is received
wisdom
and LSD (long slow distance) has always been a favorite conditioning
technique...recent (last 5 years) studies (no I can't quote or cite
them...that would take a lot of digging) and my own experience is...if
you intend to compete at speed, you need to train at speed. And that,
in fact, it is possible that many race horses are breaking down for lack
of speed training and too much LSD."

No, No, No!!!! Horses do NOT break down for lack of speed training..they
break down because of speed!!! because they are not prepared for it!!! There
is NO such thing as too much LD training (unless it is FAST LD training).
Tom Ivers books will tell you that!! But, YES,if you want speed..your TRAIN
at speed, but not without the proper LD Slow training that comes FIRST.
That's why I said add distance BEFORE adding speed. Hence, BEFORE you go as
fast 25 you should do a SLOW 50!!!...Teddy

(kat)"I am of the opinion that if you intend to go fast over long distances,

you must first practice going fast over short distances. Speed
conditioning should be done hand in hand with distance conditioning. A
high speed 25 is a great prep for a high speed 50 (in fact, I would go so
far as to say, that it is a better prep for a high speed 50 than a low
speed 50 is)."

No, No, No again!!! Do a SLOW 50 BEFORE you do a fast 25!!! Else you are
setting your horse up for a breakdown. Teddy


(kat)" The metabolic requirements, the bone requirement, the muscle
requirements, the stresses and torques, etc. of riding at speed are
completely different than those of riding at low speed."

True, but LSD is the FOUNDATION..it creates the strong bone, it stretches and
develops the muscle and adds stresses gradually is you add speed gradually,
but FIRST add distance..this adds stress SLOWLY. A horse (or any athlete)
can only survive speed if the body is ready..the body does not get ready for
speed overnight. A foundation MUST be laid FIRST! Teddy


> "Winning" an LD ride in my book is
> nothing to brag about. Join the QIDM Marathon racing team instead and get
> the thrill of winning money and the admiration of the sheiks.

(kat)"A 50 mile ride where the top finishers finish in under 5 hours...no
thanks (I recognize that I am probably in the minority here...but so what). "

I am with you here. I don't have fun on fast 50's..the tough ones prove to
be the better test in my book, and more of a challenge and more fun...Teddy







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