I adore the Kentucky Equine Research Institute. Yesterday I attended a webinar by Dr. Kathleen Crandell, discussing the 10 major concepts of feeding the performance horse. I also had to admire her patience, as storms were causing her some (most likely) truly annoying technical difficulties. I'd still like to thank her for donating her time !
For many years, I found I'd settle down to read about nutritional information in regards to feeding performance horses and zzzzzz. I have known the basics for years, but reading page after page of what THIS supplement can do for your horse- just made me want to cry, along with the overpowering headache I would achieve.
Now that I'm older, and hopefully have a longer attention span, I find I can march through a bit more of it at a time, and then.. yep.. zzzzzz
So I cheat now. Between KER and MSU's eXtension portal - and their research papers/webinars and podcasts- there is a veritable mountain of information available.
Given the unique demands of our sport, and the need to maintain our horses in top physical condition - it certainly behooves us as both horse owners and competitors to take full advantage of the valuable information so willingly given out by these institutions.
Which brings me to my post (finally you all say)
KER:
Feed to Succeed: Supplements to Help the Endurance Horse
The endurance horse is unique among all other equine athletes. Because of the prolonged demands placed upon the endurance horse with protracted moderate intensity exertion, its performance may be influenced quickly by the quality of its diet. A simple diet of hay and oats may lack essential nutrients that allow the horse to perform as expected. Understanding how competition affects the nutrient needs of the horse will help the owner select the appropriate supplementation program for the individual endurance horse.
Improving the diet
Approximately 80 to 90% of the feed eaten by horses is used to satisfy their energy requirements. Horses, like people, utilize energy to run most of the chemical reactions within the body, particularly to fuel muscle contractions vital to the work effort. As such, any horse diet should focus on providing adequate energy (calories). The major source of that energy is dietary carbohydrates (grass, hay, grain, molasses, etc.) Because the amount of energy available from forage alone can be a limiting factor for performance, grain is often added to increase the energy density of a diet.
Dietary fat is another source of energy readily employed by the horse for calories. Fat contains roughly 2.25 as much energy as an equal weight of carbohydrate, so less is needed to fuel body processes. Dietary fat has been scientifically proven to be advantageous to the performance of horses undergoing prolonged bouts of exercise. More Here...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
How Important is Your Pit Crew?
I've rode many a ride and distance without any pit crew at all. However as life and the sport gets more competitive I find myself wondering exactly how important is your pit crew.
Take the recent debacle in NZ, where riders were not permitted to bring their chosen grooms to WEG 2010. Should National Associations be the ones making the decisions regarding pit crew members/grooms for endurance riders at international events?
For myself, I think it is more imperative that as a rider, I should be comfortable knowing that my pit crew knows the horse well , has a certain level of experience managing that horse during race conditions, and most importantly of all - knows when my horse is potentially about to have an issue.
In a stressful and exacting atmosphere - such as an international level competition, I think riders would really need the assurance that their pit crew members are competent and trustworthy - I'm unable to see how a National Association could make that choice from a central location several thousand miles away in some instances.
I might be way off base here, but I doubt it.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Glycogen Sparing Effect in Endurance Horses or Feeding Fat to the Endurance Horse
There have been several studies done on the addition of fat to endurance horse diets. Fats can be useful in 2 ways. Up to 30% of a horses total diet can be fats, or 20% of concentrates. 10% total is the most common baseline that is followed, as higher percentages are sometimes refused by the horse due to texture and taste issues.
Commonly fat has been added to a horses diet for 2 reasons.
1. To add 'bloom' or gloss to a horses coat.
2. To and or maintain weight in a horse with a large energy requirement.
The more scientific or factual reasons fats are added to a diet, that are directly beneficial to the high level endurance horse are.
1. Fat is the most energy dense feed available - considering that it is also highly digestible, energy that remains available for production is increased by 60%! Minimal amounts are lost through body functions or heat.
2. Fats decrease the heat load (meaning that the horse isn't required to use to heat to metabolize fats, unlike proteins or fibre. In a study where 10% fat was added to the horses total diets, heat production was actually reduced by 14% - hence possibly one of the reasons the monikor of 'cool calories' originated. This is an essential fact that is of high value to the endurance horse - as when processing fats in a working environment - the heat load (sweat) % is reduced as the horse relies on fats for energy.
3. The most important facet of feeding fats (and the least understood) is the glycogen sparing effect in endurance horses. In horses fed a 10% fat total diet - the horse's metabolism shifts (this takes approx 90-120 days to come into effect) whereby the horse begins to use fat stores more effectively and consistently during work periods - essentially 'sparing' glycogen.
Glycogen is the carbohydrates that are stored in the horses body - during aerobic exertion the horse use glycogen as it's primary source of energy. Fatigue becomes apparent when the horse runs out of glycogen - or is working at a rate where the horse can longer produce glycogen at the rate that is required (anaerobic activity) and/or glycogen depletion.
By having a horse's base metabolism shift to using fats as a primary energy source, glycogen is then spared - by the fact that glycogen stores are used only to burn the fat that the base energy rather than glycogen itself being the primary source of energy during exertion. Glycogen stores last longer, resulting in longer mileages available before fatigue sets in.
The horse can utilize glycogen without fats, but cannot utilize fats without glycogen. when the horses metabolism relies solely on glycogen, workout sessions will be shorter, simply due to the onset of fatigue. If a horses metabolism is shifted to relying mainly on fats, fat stores are comparatively endless.
This is an important point, so when planning to enhance an endurance horses diet with fats, the ability of the horse to create glycogen must also be accounted for.
Commonly fat has been added to a horses diet for 2 reasons.
1. To add 'bloom' or gloss to a horses coat.
2. To and or maintain weight in a horse with a large energy requirement.
The more scientific or factual reasons fats are added to a diet, that are directly beneficial to the high level endurance horse are.
1. Fat is the most energy dense feed available - considering that it is also highly digestible, energy that remains available for production is increased by 60%! Minimal amounts are lost through body functions or heat.
2. Fats decrease the heat load (meaning that the horse isn't required to use to heat to metabolize fats, unlike proteins or fibre. In a study where 10% fat was added to the horses total diets, heat production was actually reduced by 14% - hence possibly one of the reasons the monikor of 'cool calories' originated. This is an essential fact that is of high value to the endurance horse - as when processing fats in a working environment - the heat load (sweat) % is reduced as the horse relies on fats for energy.
3. The most important facet of feeding fats (and the least understood) is the glycogen sparing effect in endurance horses. In horses fed a 10% fat total diet - the horse's metabolism shifts (this takes approx 90-120 days to come into effect) whereby the horse begins to use fat stores more effectively and consistently during work periods - essentially 'sparing' glycogen.
Glycogen is the carbohydrates that are stored in the horses body - during aerobic exertion the horse use glycogen as it's primary source of energy. Fatigue becomes apparent when the horse runs out of glycogen - or is working at a rate where the horse can longer produce glycogen at the rate that is required (anaerobic activity) and/or glycogen depletion.
By having a horse's base metabolism shift to using fats as a primary energy source, glycogen is then spared - by the fact that glycogen stores are used only to burn the fat that the base energy rather than glycogen itself being the primary source of energy during exertion. Glycogen stores last longer, resulting in longer mileages available before fatigue sets in.
The horse can utilize glycogen without fats, but cannot utilize fats without glycogen. when the horses metabolism relies solely on glycogen, workout sessions will be shorter, simply due to the onset of fatigue. If a horses metabolism is shifted to relying mainly on fats, fat stores are comparatively endless.
This is an important point, so when planning to enhance an endurance horses diet with fats, the ability of the horse to create glycogen must also be accounted for.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Cost of Transport in an Extended Trot
This is a more in depth commentary on my original blog post The Big Trot in relation to the Endurance Horse.
A study:
S. J. WICKLER, D. F. HOYT*, E.A. COGGER and R. MCGUIRE
Equine Research Center and Departments of Animal and Veterinary Science and *Biological Sciences,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California 91768, USA.
The thesis of the paper was done with a core group of Arabians and Hackneys, discussing the metabolic costs of an extended trot. The paper does take a bit of reading, but is most certainly worth the time.
While it doesn't address my opinion of correct carriage of a horse during an extended trot, - it does however present a fairly clear case arguing against the 14 mph/trot - in that the horses are by this point ineffecient in relation to their requirements for oxygen intake and energy output - as well as a discussion of stride length vs speed and the ensuing concussive forces.
Part of the study also takes into consideration the trot-gallop transitions. It appears that the majority of the horses preferred to move from the trot into the gallop(or canter) at a trot speed that was not equivalent to the equal speed in the canter - regardless of whether the study horse was a bred trotter, or a horse trained to use an extended gait.
When the horse was allowed to move into a canter, the cost of transport lowered accordingly- furthering the argument that while the BIG trot is a preferred gait of endurance riders - it is not a preferred gait of the horses- who seem to recognize that when the demand for speed is increased, metabolically they intuitively discard the trot in favor of a more energy saving gait.
The study in complete can be read here:
**scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the view/download link for the entire paper**
A study:
S. J. WICKLER, D. F. HOYT*, E.A. COGGER and R. MCGUIRE
Equine Research Center and Departments of Animal and Veterinary Science and *Biological Sciences,
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California 91768, USA.
The thesis of the paper was done with a core group of Arabians and Hackneys, discussing the metabolic costs of an extended trot. The paper does take a bit of reading, but is most certainly worth the time.
While it doesn't address my opinion of correct carriage of a horse during an extended trot, - it does however present a fairly clear case arguing against the 14 mph/trot - in that the horses are by this point ineffecient in relation to their requirements for oxygen intake and energy output - as well as a discussion of stride length vs speed and the ensuing concussive forces.
Part of the study also takes into consideration the trot-gallop transitions. It appears that the majority of the horses preferred to move from the trot into the gallop(or canter) at a trot speed that was not equivalent to the equal speed in the canter - regardless of whether the study horse was a bred trotter, or a horse trained to use an extended gait.
When the horse was allowed to move into a canter, the cost of transport lowered accordingly- furthering the argument that while the BIG trot is a preferred gait of endurance riders - it is not a preferred gait of the horses- who seem to recognize that when the demand for speed is increased, metabolically they intuitively discard the trot in favor of a more energy saving gait.
The study in complete can be read here:
**scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the view/download link for the entire paper**
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Ulcers in Endurance Horses
One subject that seems to come up less often than others is the topic of ulcers in endurance horses. One vet I questioned, went so far as to say that 'If a horse has ulcers - he shouldn't be doing endurance.' Fair enough - I do understand the logic in the statement.
However that outlook isn't addressing the formation of squamous ulcers or sores during a competitive event. In a recent study on upper level endurance horses, it was shown that the prevalence of gastric ulcer syndrome was 93% during the competitive season and 48% during the off season.
The study took place at the National Veterinary School in Toulouse France, where they tracked 30 individual equines that were competing at the 90km through to 160km range.
Y. TAMZALI*, C. MARGUET, N. PRIYMENKO† and F. LYAZRHI‡
Equine Internal Medicine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire; †UMR 1089 Xenobiotics, INRA, National Veterinary School; and ‡UMR181
Experimental Physiology and Toxicology, INRA, National Veterinary School, Toulouse, France.
"Sample population
Endurance horses competing in national or international rides
within professional teams were selected and submitted to 2
gastroscopic examinations. A total of 30 horses aged 7–14 years
entered the study. They were 6 females and 24 geldings with a
majority of Arab breed (20) followed by Anglo-Arabs (9) and one
cross breed. Eight horses were kept permanently on pasture and 22
were housed in a mixed environment (stall and pasture). All horses
were fed similarly: hay distributed ad libitum and concentrate twice
This high prevalence of gastric ulcers in elite endurance horses is similar to the rates of ulcers in other athletic horses and could be an important cause of poor performance," relayed Tamzali.
Two other important findings Tamzali uncovered were:
1. Horses kept on pasture showed significantly higher "ulcer scores" than the horses housed in a mixed environment (the group of horses kept on pasture had a high starch diet due to added concentrates); and
2. A positive correlation existed between "gastric score" severity and ride distance: the longer the ride, the more severe the score.
"These results strengthen those obtained by another research group and underline the fact that amount of starch fed per day or per meal is a very important factor in development of ulcers," added Tamzali.
The complete article was published this fall in the Equine Vet Journal.
Abstract here:
The findings are significant - in that the overall prevalence of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is distinctly high, showing that it's a safer guess that more endurance horses suffer from this than we'd like to think. There is limited information on the preventation and maintenance of EGUS , in endurance. The barrel racing and track racing communities do appear to have much more 'laymans' knowledge on the subject.
The standard operating procedure is a course of Ulcerguard to get control and manage an onset of ulcers- which is costly and a reactionary methodology (the horse already has ulcers)
Looking for a way to decrease the probability of EGUS is a slighty different matter. The recommendations are for horses to have more feedings throughout the day to manage acid levels in the stomach. This of course is commonly known for a variety of reasons, the main being of course - a horse is a grazing animal. The other option suggested is for alfalfa to be a portion of the diet, as the extra calcium can be of significant value in aiding with the formation (or non formation) of acids. As well as a dose of Ulcerguard before a traumatic event (trailering to a ride and so forth)
Another article here:
However that outlook isn't addressing the formation of squamous ulcers or sores during a competitive event. In a recent study on upper level endurance horses, it was shown that the prevalence of gastric ulcer syndrome was 93% during the competitive season and 48% during the off season.
The study took place at the National Veterinary School in Toulouse France, where they tracked 30 individual equines that were competing at the 90km through to 160km range.
Y. TAMZALI*, C. MARGUET, N. PRIYMENKO† and F. LYAZRHI‡
Equine Internal Medicine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire; †UMR 1089 Xenobiotics, INRA, National Veterinary School; and ‡UMR181
Experimental Physiology and Toxicology, INRA, National Veterinary School, Toulouse, France.
"Sample population
Endurance horses competing in national or international rides
within professional teams were selected and submitted to 2
gastroscopic examinations. A total of 30 horses aged 7–14 years
entered the study. They were 6 females and 24 geldings with a
majority of Arab breed (20) followed by Anglo-Arabs (9) and one
cross breed. Eight horses were kept permanently on pasture and 22
were housed in a mixed environment (stall and pasture). All horses
were fed similarly: hay distributed ad libitum and concentrate twice
This high prevalence of gastric ulcers in elite endurance horses is similar to the rates of ulcers in other athletic horses and could be an important cause of poor performance," relayed Tamzali.
Two other important findings Tamzali uncovered were:
1. Horses kept on pasture showed significantly higher "ulcer scores" than the horses housed in a mixed environment (the group of horses kept on pasture had a high starch diet due to added concentrates); and
2. A positive correlation existed between "gastric score" severity and ride distance: the longer the ride, the more severe the score.
"These results strengthen those obtained by another research group and underline the fact that amount of starch fed per day or per meal is a very important factor in development of ulcers," added Tamzali.
The complete article was published this fall in the Equine Vet Journal.
Abstract here:
The findings are significant - in that the overall prevalence of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is distinctly high, showing that it's a safer guess that more endurance horses suffer from this than we'd like to think. There is limited information on the preventation and maintenance of EGUS , in endurance. The barrel racing and track racing communities do appear to have much more 'laymans' knowledge on the subject.
The standard operating procedure is a course of Ulcerguard to get control and manage an onset of ulcers- which is costly and a reactionary methodology (the horse already has ulcers)
Looking for a way to decrease the probability of EGUS is a slighty different matter. The recommendations are for horses to have more feedings throughout the day to manage acid levels in the stomach. This of course is commonly known for a variety of reasons, the main being of course - a horse is a grazing animal. The other option suggested is for alfalfa to be a portion of the diet, as the extra calcium can be of significant value in aiding with the formation (or non formation) of acids. As well as a dose of Ulcerguard before a traumatic event (trailering to a ride and so forth)
Another article here:
Monday, November 8, 2010
Cross Training the Endurance Horse.
Cross training for human athletes has been practiced for a fair number of years, with dramatic results. The crossover to applying the same concepts to equines, comes with a varying set of results.
One of the more practiced types of cross training consists of IHT (Intermittent Hypoxic Training) or High Altitude Training. IHT is an artificial way to achieve high altitude training, so they are related in theory,not in application. the theory of course being that when trained at altitude, the horse maximizes his VO2 (oxygen intake) resulting in increased speed, stamina, endurance and recovery. Most of the data surrounding IHT is related to thoroughbred racing unfortunately - and I don't feel that extrapolating data directly from racing to endurance would always be correct, in that one being short high speed requirements, to slower long distance requirements.
Of interest however is the fact that further studies have shown that horses living and training at altitude may not have all the advantages we may think. Horses living at altitude and training at sea-level appear to be at a higher advantage, than horses who live and train at the same altitude. Since this type of high/low is impractical, IHT has become a useful tool in mimicing high altitude training.
While IHT, or high altitude training isn't a clear case of cross training, I feel it's worth taking into consideration as another tool in the belt.
Other types of cross training are more easily attained for the most part.
Dressage is a discipline I would consider a cross training one. Dressage at it's most basic level is training your horse to mind it's rider. However slightly (not much) higher levels can give a horse a direct benefit, in increased flexibility, strength and balance in all gaits. A horse that learns to move correctly will be more efficient, less likely to damage muscles due to improper movement, and just overall will be a much nicer horse to ride.
Jumping can be useful as well. Negotiating obstacles on the trail is the obvious payment for jumping - however cavalletti practice can be of advantage as well, asking the horse to be be limber and athletic in a way that requires him to think about his body placement (feet) and rhythm, striding.
One of the more practiced types of cross training consists of IHT (Intermittent Hypoxic Training) or High Altitude Training. IHT is an artificial way to achieve high altitude training, so they are related in theory,not in application. the theory of course being that when trained at altitude, the horse maximizes his VO2 (oxygen intake) resulting in increased speed, stamina, endurance and recovery. Most of the data surrounding IHT is related to thoroughbred racing unfortunately - and I don't feel that extrapolating data directly from racing to endurance would always be correct, in that one being short high speed requirements, to slower long distance requirements.
Of interest however is the fact that further studies have shown that horses living and training at altitude may not have all the advantages we may think. Horses living at altitude and training at sea-level appear to be at a higher advantage, than horses who live and train at the same altitude. Since this type of high/low is impractical, IHT has become a useful tool in mimicing high altitude training.
While IHT, or high altitude training isn't a clear case of cross training, I feel it's worth taking into consideration as another tool in the belt.
Other types of cross training are more easily attained for the most part.
Dressage is a discipline I would consider a cross training one. Dressage at it's most basic level is training your horse to mind it's rider. However slightly (not much) higher levels can give a horse a direct benefit, in increased flexibility, strength and balance in all gaits. A horse that learns to move correctly will be more efficient, less likely to damage muscles due to improper movement, and just overall will be a much nicer horse to ride.
Jumping can be useful as well. Negotiating obstacles on the trail is the obvious payment for jumping - however cavalletti practice can be of advantage as well, asking the horse to be be limber and athletic in a way that requires him to think about his body placement (feet) and rhythm, striding.
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Big Trot
Nothing says endurance like a line of horses moving down the trail with that big extended trot that is the face of the sport as we know it. But just how good is this gait. In my opinion, not so great.
I'm not saying I have no intention of ever putting my endurance horse into an extended trot- but lets consider how hard a typical horse works. The reason I specify typical, is because most (not all) but most endurance horses have a specific 'look' when they get into this trot.
Usually what you see, is a head high, hollow back, big front end swinging trot. This unfortunately doesn't bode well for your horses muscle structure, or energy efficiency.
Muscle issues:
Hyper extension. When moving into this typoe of trot, essentially what your horse is doing, is hyper extending their body to trot BIG. Now consider how many miles you cover in the big trot over a season, or a competitive lifetime of a horse - that is a lot of wear and tear -IE - how many horses do you know that have been retired for front end issues. I know a lot.
And thats not all - consider how far in front of the main body mass a hoof needs to land. Skeletal issues (arthritis in the fetlocks and knees sound familiar anyone?) the further the hoof lands away from the body, the more braking motion required on downhills, the more time spent with that hoof supporting weight.
Tempo also is forced to decreased in conjunction with how much time that hoof is required to spend on the ground because of extension. IE less energy efficient. Why exactly?
I had to ponder this awhile, but it makes sense. If you are asking for a certain speed to be maintained in an extended trot..because as the stride increases, the tempo decreases, and the horse is required to work harder to maintain that set speed.
Another big trot issue is the scapula inhibition that occurs. this is normally caused to a large extent by the simple fact the big extended trot causes the scapula as it drops back to hit the edge of the saddle. The muscle continues to develop as the horses body builds up a defense against this issue. Resulting in the endurance neck - a dip in front and behind the withers. It's easy to mistake this for the horse muscling up- while this is true , the muscles are not developing because they are getting more fit, but in spite of.
the other thing less talked about is the engine. I was taught the engine of a horse is it's back end. while I can't prove it, I also believe an attributing factor to scapular muscle buildup, is the fact that when endurance horses are working for such long periods of time in an inverted extended trot - they aren't using their back and by default are not 'through'.
Through is the term used by other disciplines to describe a horse who is using their back end correctly, providing impulsion and suspension along their back (which is active) and into the bit (aka rider's hands) I don't see that too often in an endurance horse.
So what is my personal conclusion - the big trot has limited place in endurance.
I'm not saying I have no intention of ever putting my endurance horse into an extended trot- but lets consider how hard a typical horse works. The reason I specify typical, is because most (not all) but most endurance horses have a specific 'look' when they get into this trot.
Usually what you see, is a head high, hollow back, big front end swinging trot. This unfortunately doesn't bode well for your horses muscle structure, or energy efficiency.
Muscle issues:
Hyper extension. When moving into this typoe of trot, essentially what your horse is doing, is hyper extending their body to trot BIG. Now consider how many miles you cover in the big trot over a season, or a competitive lifetime of a horse - that is a lot of wear and tear -IE - how many horses do you know that have been retired for front end issues. I know a lot.
And thats not all - consider how far in front of the main body mass a hoof needs to land. Skeletal issues (arthritis in the fetlocks and knees sound familiar anyone?) the further the hoof lands away from the body, the more braking motion required on downhills, the more time spent with that hoof supporting weight.
Tempo also is forced to decreased in conjunction with how much time that hoof is required to spend on the ground because of extension. IE less energy efficient. Why exactly?
I had to ponder this awhile, but it makes sense. If you are asking for a certain speed to be maintained in an extended trot..because as the stride increases, the tempo decreases, and the horse is required to work harder to maintain that set speed.
Another big trot issue is the scapula inhibition that occurs. this is normally caused to a large extent by the simple fact the big extended trot causes the scapula as it drops back to hit the edge of the saddle. The muscle continues to develop as the horses body builds up a defense against this issue. Resulting in the endurance neck - a dip in front and behind the withers. It's easy to mistake this for the horse muscling up- while this is true , the muscles are not developing because they are getting more fit, but in spite of.
the other thing less talked about is the engine. I was taught the engine of a horse is it's back end. while I can't prove it, I also believe an attributing factor to scapular muscle buildup, is the fact that when endurance horses are working for such long periods of time in an inverted extended trot - they aren't using their back and by default are not 'through'.
Through is the term used by other disciplines to describe a horse who is using their back end correctly, providing impulsion and suspension along their back (which is active) and into the bit (aka rider's hands) I don't see that too often in an endurance horse.
So what is my personal conclusion - the big trot has limited place in endurance.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Baby Steps.
So I pulled Kodi (aka Apache Thunder Gunner) out last night after work. I've made a hesitant promise to myself to take advantage of the last few days of daylight, since daylight savings comes into effect this coming weekend.
We had a quick brush, and a long free lunge before I climbed on. Mostly well... mainly walked around the ring. I started to ask him to trot, and oddly he ducked his head and went into frame.. wth? This horse has a hammerhead and a nesty neck. I've never really asked him into frame - it was so odd. He moved right up into my hands. Any rate, my course of action changed then. I began working on walk>trot>walk transitions. Nice walk (he was lolly gagging a bit) into a few steps of a soft sitting trot and then back. worked also on leg, he was bending really nicely around my inside leg (who is this horse and what have you done with mine?)
The other crazy thing is.. I used my english saddle, and my stirrups felt too short. which is weird, and I felt longer. Now people say that pilates does that - but 1 partial pilates workout that I did on Monday? hm.
After that I went inside, and got really lazy and didn't do my pilates!! *shame shame* So I need to do them tonight- no excuses.
We had a quick brush, and a long free lunge before I climbed on. Mostly well... mainly walked around the ring. I started to ask him to trot, and oddly he ducked his head and went into frame.. wth? This horse has a hammerhead and a nesty neck. I've never really asked him into frame - it was so odd. He moved right up into my hands. Any rate, my course of action changed then. I began working on walk>trot>walk transitions. Nice walk (he was lolly gagging a bit) into a few steps of a soft sitting trot and then back. worked also on leg, he was bending really nicely around my inside leg (who is this horse and what have you done with mine?)
The other crazy thing is.. I used my english saddle, and my stirrups felt too short. which is weird, and I felt longer. Now people say that pilates does that - but 1 partial pilates workout that I did on Monday? hm.
After that I went inside, and got really lazy and didn't do my pilates!! *shame shame* So I need to do them tonight- no excuses.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Step One.
So while I'm fine with the riding bit, I have to admit - I'm in terrible shape physically to get to where I want to go. Therefor with great mental anguish, I have decided that I need to be as fit as my horse. *cry*
Pilates 3x a week for strength. As well, I need to knock the mothballs off my stationery bike, and get peddling the other 2 days. I also need to stop smoking (sigh) I've smoked for so long, I think just that alone will drive me insane. I don't think cold turkey will do it.
Now to the horse:
Lunged him yesterday. Weather is beginning to turn cold, and we are expecting a lot of snow this year according to those in the know. I haven't ridden in the winter since I was a teenager really. As far as I can see, this will have to change right quickly. Due to the time changes - I can at least ease myself that I will only be able to ride on the weekends- being it will be dark by the time I get home from work. I'm hoping for less ice than last year (complete skating rink) so that I can at least slog about in the snow, even a walk will make me feel like we are working towards something.
Current Feed schedule:
grass/alfalfa hay 3x a day. some beetpulp.
I can't pick up Hi Fat until Thursday, as Buckerfields will be getting it in then. I've decided to test feeding this over the winter, as I get a bit lazy in the feeding, and the whole beetpulp/oil combo in a pain in the rear - so I don't always feed everyday because of that.
Pilates 3x a week for strength. As well, I need to knock the mothballs off my stationery bike, and get peddling the other 2 days. I also need to stop smoking (sigh) I've smoked for so long, I think just that alone will drive me insane. I don't think cold turkey will do it.
Now to the horse:
Lunged him yesterday. Weather is beginning to turn cold, and we are expecting a lot of snow this year according to those in the know. I haven't ridden in the winter since I was a teenager really. As far as I can see, this will have to change right quickly. Due to the time changes - I can at least ease myself that I will only be able to ride on the weekends- being it will be dark by the time I get home from work. I'm hoping for less ice than last year (complete skating rink) so that I can at least slog about in the snow, even a walk will make me feel like we are working towards something.
Current Feed schedule:
grass/alfalfa hay 3x a day. some beetpulp.
I can't pick up Hi Fat until Thursday, as Buckerfields will be getting it in then. I've decided to test feeding this over the winter, as I get a bit lazy in the feeding, and the whole beetpulp/oil combo in a pain in the rear - so I don't always feed everyday because of that.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
First the background.
My name is Claudia. I spent the first part of my rather casual endurance career riding a crazy homebred 1/2 Arab gelding named Akbar. I adored him. Sadly I lost him due to a pasture accident in which he broke his fetlock - and he was euthanized. I was devastated, that was it, I was done. No more horses for me.
A short time later while having coffee over at a friends house, she pulled over the local horses for sale rag and forced me to look at a horse that was listed for sale. I wasn't interested. Luckily for me, my friend that day knew better than I did about what I needed - was a new challenge to take my mind off the still very raw hurt of losing my horse.
So we went to see him. My word. A 3 year old 1/2 Arab/Appaloosa gelding. No manners, no mind, no feet. He'd hardly been handled and his breeder/owner appeared to be rather 'nervous' - not a promising start.
Not really interested, any rate I entered his pen and gave him a hello nice to meet you pat on his neck. Well - that is when I met my match. He stretched his head way up, and looked down at me as if I wasn't even there. I purchased him on the spot.
Apache Thunder Gunner came home with me.
He bit, he kicked, he reared, he bucked, he didn't trailer, he didn't tie. What was I thinking? Other than all I thought when I first saw that imperious 'who the hell are you?' look was.. I have to own this horse.
thus, horsegarten began. We learned it's not polite to strike out or bite - or charge and rear people on the lungeline. the first time I backed him, he laid down- and said, 'nu uh- I don't think so.' Yep my work was cut out for me.
Eventually I managed to ride him without him lying down- we went further and a bit further.. did I mention Apache can buck? Really buck. Like no other horse I've ever owned bucked. And he grew... larger by the day.
At the age of 3, he was about 14.3hh give or take- I expected him to top out at there. No. He had other plans. HE.KEPT.GROWING. and when you have a horse with a high level of bucking ability thats a damn long way down.
finally we were ready (several years later) to try our first LD ride. We went slow, but did a completion. the second ride- Apache threw a rodeo fit on the way to the start line- the vet was impressed with his bucking skill. I almost lasted 8 seconds apparently.
the next 2 LDS, he stayed sane and we completed. Then I took this year off and did nothing but miles. Hence begins our journey. Apache's and mine together - as far as the road leads, and as many miles as it takes.
A short time later while having coffee over at a friends house, she pulled over the local horses for sale rag and forced me to look at a horse that was listed for sale. I wasn't interested. Luckily for me, my friend that day knew better than I did about what I needed - was a new challenge to take my mind off the still very raw hurt of losing my horse.
So we went to see him. My word. A 3 year old 1/2 Arab/Appaloosa gelding. No manners, no mind, no feet. He'd hardly been handled and his breeder/owner appeared to be rather 'nervous' - not a promising start.
Not really interested, any rate I entered his pen and gave him a hello nice to meet you pat on his neck. Well - that is when I met my match. He stretched his head way up, and looked down at me as if I wasn't even there. I purchased him on the spot.
Apache Thunder Gunner came home with me.
He bit, he kicked, he reared, he bucked, he didn't trailer, he didn't tie. What was I thinking? Other than all I thought when I first saw that imperious 'who the hell are you?' look was.. I have to own this horse.
thus, horsegarten began. We learned it's not polite to strike out or bite - or charge and rear people on the lungeline. the first time I backed him, he laid down- and said, 'nu uh- I don't think so.' Yep my work was cut out for me.
Eventually I managed to ride him without him lying down- we went further and a bit further.. did I mention Apache can buck? Really buck. Like no other horse I've ever owned bucked. And he grew... larger by the day.
At the age of 3, he was about 14.3hh give or take- I expected him to top out at there. No. He had other plans. HE.KEPT.GROWING. and when you have a horse with a high level of bucking ability thats a damn long way down.
finally we were ready (several years later) to try our first LD ride. We went slow, but did a completion. the second ride- Apache threw a rodeo fit on the way to the start line- the vet was impressed with his bucking skill. I almost lasted 8 seconds apparently.
the next 2 LDS, he stayed sane and we completed. Then I took this year off and did nothing but miles. Hence begins our journey. Apache's and mine together - as far as the road leads, and as many miles as it takes.
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