Who are they for?

ANYONE  who cares about how fit their horse/pony is
•  Eventers
•  Show Jumpers
•  Dressage
•  Endurance
•  TREC
•  Riding Club/Pony Club Teams
“On the Hoof Distance Training” are passionate about fitness, they want everyone to enjoy training and have a greater understanding of what fitness is and how it can be achieved for every discipline.

What do we do?:

Using a measured distance we look at what the horses heart is actually doing..
•  Assess fitness
•  Work intervals – technically using heart rate monitors
•  “play around” with the heart rate monitors – to see “exactly” whats what!
Each session covers you and your horse specifically, you don’t have to be a particular level or even aiming at something in particular it can simply be about learning more about how you both “tick”. The aim is to have fun, to improve and understand a little (and sometimes a lot) more about what about what’s going on under you!

Who is running it?

Maggie Pattinson of On the Hoof Distance Training. Maggie’s passion is for fitness in the competition horse. She has a lifetime’s experience with horses and has been lucky enough to compete and work in many different countries in a variety of disciplines – mainly Eventing until she discovered Endurance 16/17+ years ago. Since then she has trained, competed and crewed at International level. She is currently chef d’equipe for the Home International English Team which is how the Parslers have got in contact with her. She runs this type of training regularly at different levels for her local EGB group, the international teams and for some of her local PC branches too.

Whilst this training has obviously been organised with Endurance in mind you don’t need to have an interest in Endurance Riding to attend. Maggie is keen to help everyone at all levels of riding to achieve the correct fitness levels to be able to get the best out of your horse.

What will it cost?

The cost per head will be £20-25 for 3/4 hours training in groups of 2-4 riders.  (As Maggie is travelling from some distance she has set a minimum charge for the day so until numbers are confirmed it is impossible to be definite on cost.) If you are interested in attending please contact Nikki using the contact form below asap to book your place. You will get a pre-training questionnaire sent back which you will need to complete so that Maggie can plan the session specifically for you!

An important part of the training which the Parsler’s are attending in preparation for the inter-regionals is focussed on the health and fitness of the horse.  The team actually has it’s own nominated vet, equine physio and farrier all of whom looked over Talisman and Havannah at the recent training day.

One very important point made was that if you know your horses’ usual vital statistics – weight, resting heart rate and temperature – then you are able to quickly identify any changes which may indicate a problem.  For example, Havannah has  very low resting heart rate of around 28bpm.  If she had a heart rate of 36bpm at rest then we would become concerned even though this falls well within the parameters which are considered “normal”, as it represents a significant change for her.  All these vital statistics are essential guides to your horses well being and vary from individual to individual so it is important to know what is normal for your horse – not just what the book says.

Below is a link to an interesting article on using heart rate monitors for this purpose ……

http://www.distanceriding.org/php/articles/condition/RandR.pdf

You can also use a stethoscope to take heart rate – sometimes more reliable than electronic gadgetry – but do count over a full minute as you get a more accurate reading.  The other tools you need are a weight band (which can often be acquired free from feed suppliers) and a digital thermometer with vaseline!

Take your readings at a similar time and in similar circumstances each day so that you get a reasonable comparison.

Attached is the schedule and booking form for a training day to be held at Down Barn Farm in Wantage.  This looks like a very imformative days training for experienced competitor and novice alike.  It is open to non-members of EGB and pony clubbers will be made welcome.

cotswold training day 0709

cotswold training day schedule 0709