Fittening Program (note form) & Roughing Off

[TracingEquines]

Fittening Program (note form)

Condition - amount of flesh is carrying

Fitness - muscular, state of prepared for a specific task

Strength - uphill, standard going

Stamina - lungeing, transitions, long periods of time at same pace (same speed over longer distance)

Skill - lungeing, transitions, 3 loop serpentine, grids (show jumper)

Factors

Previous level of training, length or rest, sound (not to do work to aggravate tendons), injury, age, type of work for temperament.

Age - ability to stand up to work

Hot head - not to be wound up

Vital signs - feet, temperature, pulse, respiration before work, whilst horse in training and competing

* T - 100 to 101.5 F
* P - 36 to 42 beats per minute
* R - 8 to 12 breaths per minute

To Get Fit

Hunter - 8 to 10 weeks

Novice ODE - 12 weeks

3 DE - 16 weeks

Split into 3 distinct phases

* Preliminary - work required to tone muscles, tendons, fat
* Development - builds strength and skill
* Fast - speed and stamina

Hunter Program

Shoe, worm, teeth, T.P.R., general health, bath ?, numnah / roller for back, brought in longer, turned out shorter, vaccinations

Weeks 1 - 4 (Preliminary)

1/2 (half hour) walking building up to 2 hours after 4 weeks, as and when 10 minutes trot gentle when worked, without stress trot uphill - tone muscle, reduce jarring horse in round and outline

Weeks 5 - 8 (Development)

Include canter between trot phases 3 - 4 periods in 2 hour programs, introduce XC, little schooling, jump training, cub hunting

Weeks 8 - 10 (Fast)

Introduce periods of gallop, build up to 3/4 (three quarters) mile at 1/2 gallop 1 mile at 3/4 gallop. Pipe opener every 3rd day whilst not hunting

Roughing Off

Take shoes off

Reduce hard feed and work

Decrease work down to 30 minutes a week

Decrease grooming

Increase hay

Turnout for longer periods

Remove stable rugs gradually

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20 minute ride then turnout

Trim and rasp feet. No shoes or possibly grass tips

Put New Zealand on