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Wendy, et al:
You stated
<<<I would keep the mileage short, the 12 miles is about the longest I'd do.
In fact, I might scale back to 8-10 miles.
But, I'd add in a couple more days of short mental work. Set up trail class
type of obsticals, figure out some tough patterns to do, play "games" of the
training kind.
4 years old is old enough to really start learning, but not quite old enough
to do hard work on.>>>
Guess I have to disagree with you a bit on this. Generalizations about the
ability of a four year old and then setting specific parameters for work do
not, in my opinion work.
As I have stated many times before, each horse is an individual and must be
treated as such. I have had four year old that easily handled 40 to 50 miles
a week of hard hill work. I have also had four year olds that only got
ridden once a month or so.
As an added point, I do not condone the useage of mileage for measuring the
work a horse does. As an instance, I just came back from a short ride with a
friend and my wife. Said friend had only two hours to ride so we were
limited in scope. This ride was actually a bit over and hour and a half and
we did not go over ten miles (say 6 mph). Easy ride you say? But what we did
included an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet. Quality conditioning in a
short distance. Do the same ten miles on the flat and you do not have the
quality.
Also, the more trail experience the younger horse can get the more adaptable
to differing conditions they become. I would recommend more slow riding in
rougher terrain as beneficial to the horse than <<<But, I'd add in a couple
more days of short mental work. Set up trail class type of obsticals,
figure out some tough patterns to do, play "games" of the training kind. >>>
Let the horse experience the real thing.
Also, Limited Distance rides, if some are available to you, are a good way
to "expose" the young horse to the crowded starting line and the excitement
of the ride. You are not under any requirement to race, you can go at a slow
speed (5mph) and still finish and have a good time. Remember that LD rides
are not based on time.
Most important of all, no matter what you do, make sure it is pleasurable
for you and your horse. Go out, ride, condition a=nd train but most of all
have FUN.
Bob Morris
Norris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
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