Conditioning ??? Myself and my ponies!

[sunnycher]

I have a clinic in 4 weeks and I'm taking 2 horses. One of the clinicians is KOC!!! I'm sooo nervous. The other clinician is a really good local trainer. Each ride time is 1.5 to 1.75 hours long, so I'll be in the saddle 3/5 hrs each day, plus care, etc.

KOC horse - 1/2 draft 10 y.o mare, solid novice, schools training fences.

Other Clinic horse - 3/4 TB, 1/4 Perch 5 y.o gelding - jumping BN, schooling N.

Me - middle aged woman who doesn't want to embarrass herself.

I ride them each 3 to 4 times per week, sometimes more. I have access to a BLM trail near my house, but not alot of great footing, lots of holes, so I can do some trotting and canter, but makes me nervous, especially if pony-ing young one. I can go out to the desert where it's great, just not all the time.

Any suggestions, for me too, maybe pilates, yoga, human growth hormone??? Help!

Thanks in advance.

[alval23]

Find a pasture and do laps... for the horse thats schooling training you should be doing 3 or 4 sets of 4 mins each.
so walk for 15 mins, trot (nice long, low, threw trot) for 4 mins, walk for a min, then pick up your trot again. after you do your trot sets to the same at the canter. again you need 3 or 4 sets of canter work (at novice cc speed) for 4 mins.
for your novice guy.. you can probably survive at 3 or 4 sets each (both trot and canter)at 3 mins. at beginner novice speeds.
remember.. they actually get more cardio at a trot than a canter.. you as well..
if you can get them doing laps every 4th day(so maybe dressage on the first day, laps on the second day, stadium on 3rd, and 1 day off.. then start over again)... you and your ponies will be ready for a clinic.
this is my exercise schedule on or off season and all of my ponies are in GREAT SHAPE! they come of the cross country coarse looking great ready for another.

[subk]

Me - middle aged woman who doesn't want to embarrass herself.

I ride them each 3 to 4 times per week, sometimes more...

Any suggestions, for me too, maybe pilates, yoga, human growth hormone??? Help!
From one middle aged woman to another, if you are riding two horses 3-4 times each you would be much better served improving cardio with biking, swimming or running than the pilates and yoga. Pilates and yoga are great for riders, but mostly what I see are riders who can't jump a course without getting winded.

[RunForIt]

From one middle aged woman to another, if you are riding two horses 3-4 times each you would be much better served improving cardio with biking, swimming or running than the pilates and yoga. Pilates and yoga are great for riders, but mostly what I see are riders who can't jump a course without getting winded.

ditto - next birthday (3-2-2010) will be # 60 :eek: :lol: - my little 30-45 minute runs 6x/wk + 25-30 minutes on my stationary bike (actually a regular road bike on a wind resister) 4-5x/wk keep me "able" to be out here...oh yeah, those little children I teach during the school year also increase my fitness! :D :cool:

If you want to try running PM me and I'll give you a program that will get you running without pain or stress - have a prissy, "cheerleader" sister who started with this program 15 years ago and among her many awards has this to her credit...in the first week of August of 2003 breast cancer was discovered, had a masectomy the following week, then after weeks of chemo, the first weekend of December that very same year, ran and "ribboned" in the Memphis 1/2 Marathon!

[sunnycher]

Yes, I figured it would probably need to be more cardio. I appreciate your answers.

RunForIt - good for you - 60 and running, biking, etc. I sent you a PM. Thanks. gina