ridecamp@endurance.net: Speed in hilly terrain/ training question

Speed in hilly terrain/ training question

Frank Mechelhoff (fmechelh@c-s-k.de)
Thu, 30 Oct 1997 13:07:36 +0100

Hi Tom (and others),

here is another question for you, maybe you have time to answer:
I've read some of your books and I would agree that the endurance horse
also need some cardiovascular work, to increase speed and build up the
system somehow.

I have a long hill here where I use to galopp, exactly 1500m long and
100m altitude difference total. If a horse is capable to go this hill in
3:06, what would it be on flat terrain ?
I do this "measuring hill" not regulary, ca.every 2 weeks, at some of
our fun or fartlek-type rides (8 mls), with trot, canter and some walk
breaks (depending on the terrain). Overall speed is 6-8 mph.
The horse is 4 1/2 yrs. young, 700 miles ridden totally, in 1 yr.
I'm a little bit afraid to let her run on flat terrain, or too fast,
because I think she *is* fast and want to avoid any injury. She acts
professional, has fun at speed, no problems to rate her, no need to
drive her up. On the 3:06 she wasn't blowing much afterwards, and I
estimate her heartrate was about 180.
She is not big (15.2) but quite sturdy and good musculed. no real fat.
has to carry 200pds rider & saddle weight. I feel some speed work would
be good for her, because she's no "slim runner type".
Everything here is hilly, there is no flat "test" course, and it would
be difficult to join together some hills of this length. Maybe her
max.speed could be 2:20 on this hill, but I have no experience here.
Should I continue ? What do you think ?

Frank

Home Events Groups Rider Directory Market RideCamp Stuff