Equine Fitness Plans Part 2

an Example of a fitness plan

Written by Shireen Timmis BSc. (Hons)

Advised by Samantha Miners Veterinary Physiotherapy

Welcome to part two of this blog mini series! I hope you've enjoyed it so far (please feel free to leave or message me any comments you have). This week I've written an example of a fitness plan similar to the ones that I create. This is a very generic plan - which actually made it a lot harder to write. Usually I have the goals of the partnership to help shape it.

Phase 1 - Aimed at Building Basic Fitness

Typically I spend Phase 1 (usually two – three weeks) mixing light hacking, lunging and short, sweet schooling sessions. It's advisable that your horse has regular physio and health check ups throughout any fitness plan, but it is most beneficial during Phase 1 as we want to lay the strongest foundation possible. It is also vital that you mix things up to to ensure a variety of muscle groups are targeted, whilst also increasing coordination and proprioceptive development This can be quite a dull time for you both and keeping things different will keep you both interested.
Set a small goal every session and achieve it. This can be anything from getting on, going a specific hack route, practising a grooming technique (for all those fancy shows you’re going to when you’re fit). Something small and bitesize that you know you can achieve.

Week 1 
Getting Started Again
Day 1
10- 20 min long rein or lead out session Walking is a hugely underrated stage of fitness, during this phase the majority of our work should be in walk. A good, purposeful walk, where the horse is working well from behind, walking with straightness, rhythm and balance is the foundation of the horses fitness. 

At this stage we want to primarily work on straight lines on level ground, to encourage even muscle development, and to ensure we load joints,  tendons and hooves evenly. This is a very easy time for an injury to occur, so slow and steady is the best way!

During this time you’re looking at promoting relaxation through pace and transitions. You’re looking at getting things moving again and building muscle in the right way.

Day 2
Complete Rest
Check for any stiffness, soreness or issues from the prior session and let them have a day to relax and chill out in the field.

Day 3 
Light Hack
Again checking for any issues arising from day 1, and making sure they’re not sore from any mad time in the field. Light hack of around 20 minutes, walking on flat, level ground.

Day 4
Complete Rest
Check for any stiffness, soreness or issues from the prior session and let them have a day to relax and chill out in the field.

Day 5
Light Long Rein Session
Check for any stiffness, soreness or issues from previous sessions.
Still promoting relaxation through pace and transitions. Try to incorporate more upward and downward transitions as necessary.

Day 6
Complete Rest
Check for any stiffness, soreness or issues from prior sessions and let them have a day to relax and chill out in the field.

Day 7 
Light Schooling
15-20  minutes light schooling in walk. Gently introducing large circles. 

Repeat this in different variations increasing the time for each activity in small increments of 5 – 10 minutes  until you are both comfortable and happy. Increase the pace slowly, begin by introducing trot in small increments, e.g. 3 sets of trot for 2 minutes. 
Slowly change the gradient you are working on.
Don’t rush to Phase 2 but move on when you feel ready. Some horses will progress through the phases quicker than others.

Phase 2 – Increasing General and Schooling Fitness

When you move to this phase both you and your horse should be happy and comfortable schooling and hacking for longer periods of time, so we’re going to up the intensity. This phase consists of variations of the following:
3 days schooling in all of the established gaits 
2 days hacking of around an hour or more – walk and trot, canter where the ground is suitable
1 day lunging, working on any issues carried from schooling such as balance and strength.
1 day complete rest.

Phase 3 – Focused Areas and Targeted Fitness

The goals of the partnership really come into play here. Both you and your horse should have established a strong foundation of basic fitness. Well done! So now look at your aims and goals for the future. Do you want to compete? What discipline do you want to compete in? At what level?

From here on out the rest of the plan becomes highly dependent on your goals and plans, which are of course highly individual to each partnership – jumping for example would start to make an appearance here as well as Fartlek (interval) training. 

Phase 4 – Advanced Fitness

At this stage we’re looking at timed runs, introducing gallop and cross country training and increasing jumping difficulty. We’re also looking at using specific exercises for targeted issues, and ironing out any behavioural issues. Now is where (depending on the goals of the partnership) I would be really starting to work on ironing out any issues that are likely to come up in competition. Other horses, are a main one. So looking at going cross country training with multiple horses and making your horse work both away and towards them, keeping the horses focus entirely on you. Another great way of preparing for a warm up arena is to do some sessions with horses in the arena. It helps if you know each other and know what to expect from each others horses but this is really great way of preparing both you and your horse for the carnage of a warm up ring. It keeps the focus of both the horse and rider in the right place and is a good way of exposing the horse to multiple variable within a controlled and safe environment. This is particularly useful for nappy horses.

Phase 5 – Perfecting
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Phase 5 is the final stage before competition preparation. Here the training is very targeted and specific.
You’re looking to really perfect all aspects of your work and iron out any technical issues, as well as specific training to improve weaknesses. 

The aim of a fitness plan is to increase fitness over a lengthy period of time. You should be continually consulting with your professionals throughout this period to stay on track as well as constantly assessing all aspects of each phase. Most importantly however, remember to have fun! 

For specific and tailored plans to your partnership – over all disciplines please don’t hesitate to get in touch!