day. Cross-training is great for overall body conditioning, and it helps lower the likelihood of injury as you are not just
F E AT U R E
Keeping your athlete fighting fit
working (and potentially overworking) the same set of muscles day in and day out. Plus, it’s mentally refreshing for both horse and rider. Eventers know all too well the importance of incorporating a wide range of activities and exercises, but even pure dressage horses and show jumpers will benefit greatly when engaged in a varied program. Mix it
Looking after your equine partner while in heavy work is vital. CHRISTINE ARMISHAW discusses what that entails and how to go about it.
W
work, cavaletti schooling, jump training, lunging or long-reining, trail rides and water fun - the options are many!
Warming up and cooling down Don’t skip the warm up. Research shows
hatever your riding goals,
Work variety
the on-going care of your
It’s important to take time and build up your horse’s workload gradually. Fitness is gained incrementally and conditioning training is best spread over two to four sessions per week, with non-fitness days in between.
it takes at least five minutes for synovial
Even if you ride in only one discipline, aim to vary your sessions from day to
along the back, all the way to their tail.
equine is paramount if you
want to remain in the game. Heavy work entails roughly four to five days of work a week, and careful management across the board is a must. Your biggest focus should be keeping your horse healthy and sound.
up with flat work, ground work, pole
50 | E Q U E S T R I A N H U B I S S U E 7 • 2 0 2 2
fluid to start lubricating the joints. I always spend the first five minutes of my ride in a walk and encourage the horse to reach forward and down, inviting a stretch from the poll, down the neck and From there, I spend a further five to ten
