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Olympia, Washington | |
     
 SH Beautymark  SH Prince Charming 
SH Constellation Julie Graham P.O. Box 11173 Olympia, Washington 98508 (360)866-4596 This site and all contents © 2003 Graham Training Center |
Conditioning - cont. Page 2 Week 3 - Start applying more pressure to draw lines (move horse to a smooth snaffle if it is not fighting draws) keeping head level but encouraging more arc to neck. If your horse is still testing the draw reins continue with this exercise using the halter. You can always lift a horses head/neck by pushing forward. So if your horse is low or behind the bit and is not leaning onto the reins you need to work in a smaller circle with more impulsion forward. This will work you as well as the horse sometimes. Stay in a working extended trot. Working in a 30’-40’ circle. Average time 15 minutes each way. Week 4 - Move to a bitting rig or working saddle. Apply side reins to bridle and tie to a midway point somewhere between it’s elbow and withers. If your horse is intended for english bit up slightly higher. Flex horse toward its chest. Even pressure on both sides. If your horse has a definite strong side tie so that head and neck bends to the inside of circle going the weak direction. Work in a 30’-50’ circle in an extended trot. Wind horse into a 30’ circle then push away and ask to increase their pace out to a 50’ circle every other revolution. As you wind your horse in it will naturally have to slow down then, when you ask it to speed up it will have to engage its hind quarters and get under themselves. This then is conditioning the animal so that when we get on we can achieve that nice "round" balanced pleasure horse frame we are trying to achieve. Total time 20-30 minutes. Always watch for fatigue, excessive labored breathing, lameness or soreness. After each session be sure to walk out until respiratory rate goes back down to normal. It is a good idea to know your horses resting heart and breathing rate so you know when your horse is properly cooled down. If your horse’s heart rate has not returned to it’s resting rate within 15 minutes you need to back off the intensity and working time by 5 minutes each way, then build back up. Once cooled, rinse off any sweat, wipe off excess water and brush coat flat. OK now your horse is ready to go into finish work. If a horse is broke I will ride 2 days a week and condition 3 days for two weeks, then I switch that around to ride 3, condition 2 the latter half of the month. On conditioning days depending on what is needed I will free lunge, bit-up or lunge on a line. I always alternate riding and conditioning days. For colts not yet under saddle this is where we start long lining and driving, the second half of the month I start to get on. Wahoooo! If you have any questions feel free to write or call I will be glad to answer them. Back to TIPS PAGE
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