Re: Endurance and Dressage

[Olympian06@aol.com]

Cheryl,
 
<< I've been thinking on doing endurance on Blue while the weather is nice and
 then when it starts hitting over 100* we will start doing dressage. >>

First, I would point out that Dressage is very stressful on horse that has
never done it, it could end up being harder on him than you thought.  Be
careful in the heat.  When I take my horse down to Phoenix to ride with my
dressage trainer, her hours in the summer are from 3 yes 3 AM to 11AM.  After
that the horses struggle to much in the heat.
 
<<But I am not sure how to combine the two without burning my buddy out. >>

My endurance horses all compete in the dressage ring along with endurance.
What I have found to work for ME, is a 30 min. workout with basic 20 meter
circles, serpentines, lots of transition and lots of lateral work.  I do this
instead of going out on the trail and only practice about once a week.  For
you, you might want to do it more than once a week until your horse is
accustom to using his muscles in such a way.  Remember, that it would be like
you doing gymnastics, you would be mighty sore the next day....keep that in
mind.

 <>

I would recommend going to a dressage trainer atleast once or twice just to
give you an idea of what to look for.  I can give you the names of some good
trainers in the valley if you like?!

 <<<So I guess my question is to those of you who lay off their horses from
endurance because of the winter weather how long does it take to bring them
back to competition condition?  >>

From what I have heard and read and what I have noticed is that once you have
a solid conditioning base and ride about 2-3 times a week (light work) you
will need about six to eight weeks of long slow distance work to return to the
level of fitness at which you ended at.  But, if you have given your horse the
entire winter off, I don't have a clue as to how long it would take.  


<>

Dressage is an excellent way to condition a horse and can be very beneficial.
Just remember that it can get VERY boring to a horse that is use to endurance.
Find ways to make it enteresting!!
 
 <>

That could be a little much depending on how hard you work on the trail.
Dressage requires a lot of muscle strength and you might be asking for a
pulled or sore muscle in return?!  Try doing the dressage in the beginning as
a warm up, that will also help in making them less ring sour.

Hope this helps alittle, this is just my thoughts and what has worked for me.
Both of my horses will be showing 2nd and 3rd level dressage this year but
believe me, they hate it, the endurance is what they enjoy!!  Best of luck,
let me know if you need any other info.

Johnna
Flagstaff
 
 
 
 
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