qa

[ManyDogs]

Just a long term goal for now....
However, I have access to a treadmill at work and have Pilates stuff at home.
I'm on the treadmill about 3x a week walking pretty fast and having a relatively steep incline. I also bend over into "two point", holding the "reins" for some of the time. Fortunately, the treadmill is in a room where my weird antics are not viewed :lol:.
I keep busy at home-- I esp. enjoy tossing hay into headwinds and hauling buckets full of soaked BP out to the mares when temps are in the single digits :eek:. My Peke puppy helps with the feeding by carrying a wisp of hay in his mouth while he supervises.

I would appreciate any thoughts/ideas/suggestions about increasing my strength and stamina. I'll check the flask thread to see what I should keep nearby for sustenance.

PS-I believe the falling off into the mud exercise will be covered later in the Spring when I back my Perch X.

[SteeleRdr]

Bicycling!! I've found that the treadmill doesn't so a whole lot for riding stamina. Also just being riding fit.

I did a lot of cycling and that helped a lot when I wasn't able to ride very often; and also did it while I was riding.

[cranky]

Can you throw in some running intervals into your treadmill walking? Start with running intervals of 30 secs and don't worry about speed for now. Alternate 30 secs of running for every (say) 2 minutes of walking. Do that for a week, (ideally 4x a week). The following week, shorten the walking interval to 1 minute, 30 seconds. Every week try to either increase your running interval or decrease your walking interval until you're able to run without walking for 30 minutes. Any week where it feels a too hard to progress to the next step, just repeat what you were doing from the previous week.

Running is the best way that I know of for improving endurance/wind.

Somewhere I have beginner's running program from the New York Road Runner's Club. If you're interested, PM and I'll try to dig it up, it's really pretty easy to follow.

[Beverley]

For those of us who got sick of running after four years of college basketball and tennis...I use a stationary bike, actually a Schwinn Airdyne which gives more of a workout to the upper body too. Typically I do 5 to 5.5 miles in about 20 minutes. And, walk the dogs, and for a real workout, hike on the mountain behind my house. I agree, building up the wind is important.

And then of course there is the riding associated with getting your horse fit for hunting. Doing trot sets and gallops gets both horse and rider hunting fit.

[Elghund2]

I like rowing. I have a Concept II Ergometer. I usually do 35-45 minute workouts on it five to six days a week.

[ManyDogs]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I do like to run so I'll add that into my routine. I wish I had space for a rowing machine because I'm sure that is a workout! We are on a country road so bicycling would work, too.

We need more land and a bigger house!

[wateryglen]

Find a Basset or Beagle pack and go rabbit hunting on foot! Lots of hiking in beautiful country is good for you! Since your mind is on the hounds, you don't realize how much ground you're covering. You can choose your pace! All the fun of foxhunting but without a horse!

I don't know where you're at in Va. otherwise I'd suggest someone!
Find some hills and walk up/down. Steep climbs will put some condition on ya!! Yesirreee!!

[ManyDogs]

Thanks, Wateryglen! We are about 20 miles from the TN/VA line off of I-81. I'll check out hunts in the TN area. I've gone on the MFHA site but some of the hunts don't have a website (?).
I've thought about contacting hunts to see if I could join with the group that follows in cars, too, just for the visual experience and to increase my learning curve.
I have two mares, one is green and the other one hasn't been backed yet, so no field hunters in the making quite yet.
Our driveway is very steep so that will be good exercise once it warms up. I joke that we need a tank of oxygen stored at the halfway point. :eek:

[altjaeger]

1) Stretching your leg so that you can get back in the saddle without a mounting block. I built up the height gradually. Now I can place my foot on top of my desk without having to lift it up there.

2) Lose extra weight (this is really hard to do with the great food and drink served after each hunt!)

3) Exercise the upper thighs. When I'm in the arena, I try to spend a lot of time in 2-point or half-seat. But really, it was hunting itself that got me in shape for more hunting.

[JSwan]

PS-I believe the falling off into the mud exercise will be covered later in the Spring when I back my Perch X.


You have a Perch X too? Does he have a gigantic head like my youngster? :winkgrin: And what's up with the appetite? He's eaten a hole in a round bale and from a distance looks like he's stuck in the darn thing.

Anyhoo....

How do I get fit for hunting with my draft cross (my main horse is a Belgian/TB)

Pilates for my back (very bad back)

Regular riding - no substitute for getting in shape than just plain riding.

Part of my program for legging up my current hunter (Belgian/TB) is jogging alongside him. I kinda follow a program I was taught when I did teeny weeny eventing. Lots of hillwork, intervals, and walking/jogging alongside.

That way when I fall off out hunting I can run to try and catch the little bugger without having a heart attack. :lol:

Don't forget to walk the hounds. In the spring and summer I get up at the crack of dawn, do my farm chores, and head out to the kennel to walk the hounds.

Walk walk walk walk ride ride ride ride, jog jog jog and make sure your core is very strong. Strong core will help keep you from being loose in the tack.

Have fun with your Percheron cross!

[ManyDogs]

Yup, JSwan, I have a PerchX. She is seal brown and looks like a Friesian from far away. Her latest trick is unzipping my coat. She also likes to lick the (frozen) round pen bars so I'm waiting for her tongue to get stuck. No giant head so far but she is a big girl! Not tall-big.
Oh, and they got through the fence last week-very good girls who walked calmly through it, then PerchX kicked up her big heels and caught DH on his love handle. Knocked him down but he was OK, other than totally p*ssed off. I did console him when the hoof print bruise appeared (complete with frog!)-she is not shod, BTW. Told him he now can compare injuries with all the other horse people. :lol::lol::lol: He now accuses her of trying to kick him when he is inside and she is behind the fence.
What an excellent idea to jog beside horse 1 or 2. They will think I'm crazy but still a very good idea.
I've emailed TVH to see if I could do start off with some non-riding activities with them. I think they are the closest hunt to Bristol but still a couple hours away.

[Ponyclubrocks]

I like to ride trot sets and gallop exercises. While I do work outs for myself (jogging and yoga primarily) I get more out of time in the saddle, plus, I keep my hunt horse fit at the same time. I use a large hay field with rolling hills and some steeper slopes. My first lap is at the walk to establish a track that I can be confident is free of ground hog holes. Then I do about six laps at the trot (takes about 30 minutes). Then I do one or two more walk laps, followed by alternating gallop and walk laps. Total ride time is usually between 1 and 1.5 hours. I try to stay in two point for all the galloping, really good for my quads. Obviously I don't two point for the steep downhill runs. I finish with a walk around the farm (3.5 miles). If my horse is fit and I am hunting twice a week, I will only do this once a week. In the summer when I am getting ready for cubbing I may do this 3 times a week. Out of season I try to do a lot of trail riding as well.

[altjaeger]

That sounds like an excellent routine, Ponyclubrocks. I like the idea of doing a walkaround first to look for any new holes.

[wateryglen]

OR............you could just forget the whole conditioning thing and hunt along with the rest of us!!!!!...:winkgrin: ..gasping for air, sweating up a storm, grimacing from pain & cramping, pulling & tugging to control our steeds, leaning on their necks to balance (or their mouths! :eek:) our upper bodies, flopping up & down on our butts, wheezing & coughing from deep breathing the cold air, observing each others blue lips......well you get the picture! (ooooo ain't it purty!? :lol:)
Just keep smiling, have fun, never let'em see you sweat. I'm of the "hunting alot gets you fit" group so there's a lotta pain early in the season!!! :yes::lol: I never want my horse to be fitter than me! :no:
Ah conditioning/schmitioning! Fohgetaboutit!!!! :uhoh::p

[ManyDogs]

Well, Wateryglen, as I sit here drinking a cup of tea, your plan sounds so convincing! Much better than trotting around in jockey stirrups for 15 mins. like we used to do in college, :eek: or running up and down our driveway that I considered in a weak moment.
I emailed TVH to see if I could go sometime to walk the hounds. I think that is the correct terminology.
I believe I'm of the age to be in the huffing and puffing group.
I know after my first hunt I'll have a grin plastered on my face for at least a week.

[petesperson]

I hate to exercise, so I thought I'd go with something that got the heart rate up quickly... jumping rope! The good news is that I'm getting fitter and stronger... the BAD news is I just tried on my field boots, which fit fine a few months ago, and the calves are too snug (as in tourniquet snug... barely got them off with lots of groans, and curses, and help from DH)... But if you have room to spare in your boots, it might be worth a try!

[Painted Wings]

I just suffer through and live through the pain the next couple of days.

I do hunt with two footpacks too, that just compounds the pain after a weekend.

I have to go to work and sit at my desk all week just to recover from my hunting weekends..

[SLW]

Dang, ya'll are hard core and now I feel like a complete bum, c'mon, we're not trying to win a medal here, just have some fun. I just ride and watch what I eat. Make sure my horses are kept legged up and off we go.

Our hunts average about 2 1/2 hours so its not like a 50 mile endurance ride with a 10/12mph pace.

I think your best bet is Wild Turkey Honey Liqueur. Had some today from a friends flask, veeery nice! No jogging, no jump roping, no sit ups, no walking needed and I felt like I won a medal. ;)

[JSwan]

Dang, ya'll are hard core and now I feel like a complete bum, c'mon, we're not trying to win a medal here, just have some fun.

I didn't say how long I jogged before collapsing! :lol:

Staggering around in the woods slack jawed with insects stuck in my teeth isn't the image I want to cultivate.:D So I call it my "fitness regimen". :winkgrin:

Mostly I need to do a lot of exercising because of my back. I can barely bend at the waist these days.

We're out as long as 4 hours of hard riding at the peak of the season so that does factor into my fitness routine as well as my liquor budget.

Cherry brandy is my choice this time of year. I'll have to try the honey stuff you suggested. That sounds decadent.

[Bogie]

I know I'm woefully out of shape right now so I dragged my sorry butt to the pool for swim team practice. Swimming is (IMHO) the best way to get fit for riding as it really helps build both endurance and core strength.

I lack the discipline to swim hard enough on my own, so I joined a masters swim team. Life has gotten in the way and this was my first time back in several months, but I know I need to swim 3x/week to get myself back in shape. My horse will thank me for it!

[wateryglen]

OK I got it.....Wateryglen will sit up on the hill in a lawnchair working on her tan sipping cherry brandy while all ya'll workout down yonder. Bogie will be taking a dip in the stream however. Whoa! Watch them rocks Bogie!!!! :eek::D I'll be "coach" to our Coth Hunting Forum Fitness Team! We can have T shirts made! Take showers together after our workouts! :D I'll have the oxygen tank up there with me and you'll have to run up the hill to get some. I wanna see some stretching, lifting, running, jump roping, pilates, yoga-ing, walking, rowing, biking and remember... I CAN SEE YOU!!! So hop to it!! And if you're hurting? Too Bad!! Take your drugs ...shut up & ride!!
Lose weight! Exercise those thighs for Wanabe!!! Do them trot sets! Then send your horse up for some oxygen!

Ahhhhhh, yeeesssss! Thats the ticket!!! :p:sigh: Sip!

[Beverley]

Well, I coasted for years, make that decades, just on the level of fitness I had coming out of college. At this point, though, arthritis is starting to get ugly, so I do exercise to hopefully extend the available years in the saddle, and reduce the pain in the back that goes with hunting. Mind you, the flex stirrups and Advil are my friends, too.:cool:

[SLW]

I didn't say how long I jogged before collapsing! :lol:

Staggering around in the woods slack jawed with insects stuck in my teeth isn't the image I want to cultivate.:D So I call it my "fitness regimen". :winkgrin:

Mostly I need to do a lot of exercising because of my back. I can barely bend at the waist these days.

We're out as long as 4 hours of hard riding at the peak of the season so that does factor into my fitness routine as well as my liquor budget.

Cherry brandy is my choice this time of year. I'll have to try the honey stuff you suggested. That sounds decadent.

Gulp, if we were out for 4 hard hours I would need a mixture of Wild Turkey and Embalming Fluid in my flask. ;)

[SLW]

OK I got it.....Wateryglen will sit up on the hill in a lawnchair working on her tan sipping cherry brandy while all ya'll workout down yonder. Bogie will be taking a dip in the stream however. Whoa! Watch them rocks Bogie!!!! :eek::D I'll be "coach" to our Coth Hunting Forum Fitness Team! We can have T shirts made! Take showers together after our workouts! :D I'll have the oxygen tank up there with me and you'll have to run up the hill to get some. I wanna see some stretching, lifting, running, jump roping, pilates, yoga-ing, walking, rowing, biking and remember... I CAN SEE YOU!!! So hop to it!! And if you're hurting? Too Bad!! Take your drugs ...shut up & ride!!
Lose weight! Exercise those thighs for Wanabe!!! Do them trot sets! Then send your horse up for some oxygen!

Ahhhhhh, yeeesssss! Thats the ticket!!! :p:sigh: Sip!

Okay Coach, just please don't beat us with that branch you carry while foxhunting. :)

[ManyDogs]

OK, since I started all of this, I second the t-shirts :lol:
Wateryglen, since you have appointed yourself coach, your t shirt can be cherry brandy red in color.
Shower together? :eek::eek: I will warn everyone that I prefer my water just under 212 degrees. What next, a COTH calendar? :lol:

This is my exercise plan (devised just after our trip to Hardees tonight)::lol:

DH will have my flask and Milky Ways plus horse treats in the golf cart. I will take prone-to-temper-tantrums Perch x and we will jog along behind golf cart. Waaay behind golf cart.
After we are winded, we will plunge into the pool and do laps. I will grasp massively thick mane of Perch X and kick along. We will then proceed to the pasture behind us and toss cow pies for upper body strength.
Next, I will grab a bucket of grain and try to outrun Perch X who is now mightily p*ssed off because she has lazed around all winter.
And for the grand finale, I will take lunge line, tie to section of round pen, and jump rope while Perch X does wind sprints up and down the hill.

My other mare, the older and wiser one, will be watching all of this with a mixture of "idiots!" and "don't come near me" expressions pasted across her face.

Or, I will join the out of shape, huffing and puffing, blue lips group and get into shape thata way for future hunts.

Thanks, all, for the advice and laughs on a Monday.
Carol

[ManyDogs]

Wateryglen,
Are steroids OK? Will you administer the shots and call them "vitamins"?
Wait a few years before writing a tell-all book, however.
Just say you were aiming for the hoss and got us in our respective bums instead. We promise we won't kick you.

[wateryglen]

:D:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
Oh 3dog! You are sooooooo gonna fit in out hunting.........:winkgrin:
Watery bows low to her extremely funny workout team of SLW and 3dog!!! Now THATS the spirit!! Carry on!!!! 3dog has given us a visual that we won't quickly erase from our minds!

I've switched to sipping embalming fluid....fewer calories and more healthy for me......

And I have perch X's sister btw! 3 of them. Hunted one yesterday and my arms are longer now! Is that a good thing?!? :D

[ManyDogs]

WG, Re your longer arms:
If I hunt in dressage length stirrups will my short stubby legs become supermodel long? OKAYYYY!!

LOL When I was working with Perch X last Fall (leading), apparently her ears were pinned back as long as I wasn't looking. If I turned to look at her, ears were forward, eyes were "innocent". Too funny.

[SLW]

At work today I got the equivalent of a good workout.....we were intubating a greyhound and it took a bit longer than expected so there I was squating on bended knees, my breath cut off by my too tight waistband caused from being overweight as winter winds down, holding the hound's head steady. I was about to complain then thought "we won't be hunting Wednesday due to storms so this is my two point workout." :)

3dogsfarm, you said "And for the grand finale, I will take lunge line, tie to section of round pen, and jump rope while Perch X does wind sprints up and down the hill." and I have another idea.......

.....attach one end of the longe line to a stake in the ground and the other to the percheron. Now, send the perch out and around and you step away from the stake and proceed to jump the rope w/ each pass dear percheron makes. :) WG and I will stand just nearby and shine mirrors, open umbrellas, pop balloons, wave white bags, crack our hunting whips and do all other manner of proofing as the horse goes round and round. This way you can jump rope clockwise, counter clockwise, zig zag, just jump from whateve direction your horse is coming from. ;)

[wateryglen]

3dog- you know, in real life, WG is a nurse so of course I can administer the vitamin shots! ;) I have a reputation as being a good "sticker". You can trust me with a needle. Honest! :eek::uhoh::uhoh::uhoh::uhoh::uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
It won't hurt a bit.......
But the first time I see ANY sign of roid rage? You're outa here! And the whole point of working out is supermodel long legs. Thin thighs! Yep!

[ManyDogs]

Several more suggestions for Coach (WG) and Assistant Coach (SLW):
:cool: :cool:

Well, the big storms that were supposed tooccur missed us, as usual, so we can't carry on our fitness plan whilst thunder and lightning mess wit' us.

I thought while Perchx is on her lunge line attached to a pole stuck in the ground and I'm jumping the lunge line rope, we could put trot poles in the wagon spoke design for some added agility.

Perhaps Coach and Assistant Coach could ride bicycles, too. Or push a baby stroller with metallic balloons attached to the handle, like happened years ago when I was mounting an evil pony for an upcoming lesson.

Oh, H*ll, just bring the goats over from next door and you'll get this reaction
^^
< :eek:
{
||---\\

My feeble attempt at stick art...

[SLW]

Oh, but tommorow the deep mud left after the storm will add to strength building whilest you do the longe line workout! Love the trot pole idea!

I like the metalic balloons too, nice touch and veeery purty! However, I have one tool left that will get old Perchy a prancin'.......on the perimeter of your circle I'll fall in behind her driving my smallest mini! :) This will add an 'Airs Above Ground' element to the workout and make you have to jump that rope REAL high. :)

And 3dogfarms, in real life I'm a large animal vet assistant so if you slack off I'll twitch you or run to the cow section and get the electric cattle prod!! We want this to be a complete 'win-win' for your gettin' hunting fit program.

People are gonna be so jealous of how fit you are! :)

[broodmare]

the hunting part of the COTH forum is the best reading. I'm working on my core trying not to wet my pants reading this thread.

[ManyDogs]

How about the twitch AND the cattle prod? But be forewarned, I have grabbed our electric (tape) fence so many times I have become somewhat immune, except for the cussin' that flows from my lips. However, being raised as a "lady" in Richmond in the 50s and 60s, the blue words are whispered through clenched teeth, not shouted :lol::lol:. We must maintain propriety and decorum...

A mini? That would work! Is he/she a pinto? Don't know how Perchx would react to a horse of a different color. (plagarized from Wizard of Oz, of course).

Visions of stick art are swirling about my head, but I am worthy of trying to illustrate our well-thought-out exercise routines.

How about G&Ts when we are all through???? I prefer mine made with bitter lemon instead of tonic and a key lime for decoration. :D

[JSwan]

the hunting part of the COTH forum is the best reading. I'm working on my core trying not to wet my pants reading this thread.


Then you MUST come out hunting sometime! You can do it! Your horse will be so happy.

He might be a little too happy. But that's a subject for another thread.:lol:


We need to start a thread on "How do squeeze into that strapless gown for the Hunt Ball".

Good Lord. I put mine on and walked around and my butt looked like two pigs fighting under a blanket. Good thing the lights will be dim!

[ManyDogs]

Re my post re stick art:
Meant to say I am NOT worthy....not enough caffeine in my system obviously.

JSwan-
Cinched waist and lots of layers cascading out to the floor? Think Scahlett when she went to the BBQ at Twelve Oaks.
Please PM me if Rhett shows up....

[SLW]

Broodmare- terrific, you are working on what is known as the famous "Foxhunters Bladder", the ability to ride hours upon hours without having to potty. I am at level 3, able to go 3 hours without a pit stop but that makes me a pansy among my peers who can wait much longer. :(

3Dogfarm- you betcha' one of my mini's is pinto. :) http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2208925250052639572RfPxyD and if that dawn't get Perchy prancin' I have the appy mini- http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2697670050052639572FYdFav.....and IF that doesnt' work I have the goat- http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2625151080052639572bmmJSd !! Okay, if the truth be known that whether died a long time ago but I have friends in goaty places.... ;)

JSwan- our Hunt Ball is next weekend so figure out something quickly for me! At work today I eyeballed the fiberglass casting tape thinking "meeybe, meeeeybe that would give me an hour glass figure." :)- Strapless you say??? No way!! I need to either put Microchips in my boosoms or use my Garmin to find them, ya know- use that 'tracking feature' in the Garmin. In fact, when I was in Savannah, GA last month and approached the Talmadge bridge I thought for a moment "Hey, WHO put my bra up there??" http://bridgepros.com/projects/Talmadge%20Memorial/Talmadge.htm

[iechris]

For the hunt ball... Spanx or better yet the cheaper versions that can be purchased at Wal-Mart of Walgreens. If the situation is really dire, you can layer one over the other.

[JSwan]

Alas, I do not have a good foxhunters bladder. Many a time I have prayed to every deity worshipped since the dawn of Time to PLEASE can we stop trotting??? Oy.

I am shopping on the Internet for a dress as we speak. Last year I bought a fabulous dress for 98$. That and a special over the shoulder boulder holder, some squeezy type undies, lots of makeup, dim lighting, some Scotch.. and I looked fabulous. (no strapless gowns for me either)

Try searching under JS Collections. It's just a brand name - has nothing to do with me.


Broodmare- terrific, you are working on what is known as the famous "Foxhunters Bladder", the ability to ride hours upon hours without having to potty. I am at level 3, able to go 3 hours without a pit stop but that makes me a pansy among my peers who can wait much longer. :(

3Dogfarm- you betcha' one of my mini's is pinto. :) http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2208925250052639572RfPxyD and if that dawn't get Perchy prancin' I have the appy mini- http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2697670050052639572FYdFav.....and IF that doesnt' work I have the goat- http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2625151080052639572bmmJSd !! Okay, if the truth be known that whether died a long time ago but I have friends in goaty places.... ;)

JSwan- our Hunt Ball is next weekend so figure out something quickly for me! At work today I eyeballed the fiberglass casting tape thinking "meeybe, meeeeybe that would give me an hour glass figure." :)- Strapless you say??? No way!! I need to either put Microchips in my boosoms or use my Garmin to find them, ya know- use that 'tracking feature' in the Garmin. In fact, when I was in Savannah, GA last month and approached the Talmadge bridge I thought for a moment "Hey, WHO put my bra up there??" http://bridgepros.com/projects/Talmadge%20Memorial/Talmadge.htm

[wateryglen]

Looks like the Coth Workout Team needs to define an exercise program for JS pronto! Looks like we need a program for hunt ball attendees.... What can we suggest for her upper arms? For her "pigs in a blanket"??!!!! :eek:

Upper arms? The case-o-beer lift done at a canter on a lunge line without stirrups maybe???!! Up/down, up/down etc. Up over yer head JS!! Come on! You can do it!!! GO, go, go!!!
The square bale over yer head pump?!! How about the draft cross leg lift!?

The pigs? hmmmmm.....leading horse up steep hills in ankle deep mud oughta do it..... I'm a little stumped here....any ideas?

And if we don't get pictures; I'm gonna spit embalming fluid..I'd prefer before & after. AND...don't forget your updo!!

[ManyDogs]

Oops-it's Friday night and I've had doritos (baked, honest!), trail mix, chocolate bundt cake, and a real Coke, so I rilly rilly have to get more into my training mode.
I know tomorrow my routine will include chasing the older, wiser mare around the field as the only color of breakaway halter I could find today is purple. She will be miffed.
Hey, howzabout lifting wine ina box instead of beer? Wouldn't that be more clazzie? Can be purchased at high class stores like Target.

I'm in carb overload so can't come up with more ideas for now.

SLW-love your minis!

[Rt66Kix]

I think this looks like fun AND great exercise! SLW, think you and your minis could pull this off?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP-feymJg5M

[JSwan]

My vet suggested I drive my goats to get the weight off them. I like the idea of a unicycle. One more crazy adventure I could have. :lol:

Hey - I found my dress for the hunt ball.

[SLW]

Rt66Kix- wowza, what a hoot! That is what happens to equestrian citizens when their country doesn't have a Space program!! :) That is way to complicated for me- I can already visualize fallin' forward with outstretched arms as my face takes on the role of a plow blade deep in the ground. ;)

3dogsfarm- come out here and *try* to catch my appy mini, that will get yer heart rate up and Friday nights feista food will melt off you! A little (huge) fear I have is that one day he will get loose beyond my perimeter fence. He is a complete butthead to catch and delights in that. Good thinking about boxed wine lifts- that would help tone up the underarms.

Way to go JSwan. I found one on sale a few weeks back and spent yesterday afternoon hacking some length off of it. I think I'm good to go for next weekend.