Do you know why a Thoroughbred can deliver that great burst of speed to eat up a mile in 1 1/2 minutes, or how an endurance horse can maintain the strength and stamina to cover long distances at steady speeds? Of course you do: Conditioning.
Regardless of whether your horse is used for high-level competition or weekend trail riding, it’s important that he be fit for the task. “Fitness” is a rather vague expression, but in general terms it can be defined as the ability to complete th
Last month, this column covered some of the basics in developing a physical conditioning program (see “Getting Your Horse in Shape” in the February 2002 issue of The Horse, article Quick Find #3263 at www.TheHorse.com). The
As spring approaches, visions of green grass, budding trees, and active wildlife might seem just around the corner for some. But for many of us, spring is but a dream, for we must endure a few more weeks of cold, snow, and ice-covered terrain.
Many equestrian sports are seasonal, with a competition season alternating with an off season. Even in sports that continue year-round, most trainers schedule a break from competition, which gives the horse a chance to recover mentally and
To add variety to conditioning programs, human athletes often undertake exercise sessions that are not specific to their athletic disciplines. For example, long-distance runners might cycle on a stationary bike once or twice a week, swim, or
Racehorse owners might one day be able to handicap a horse’s risk of injury. A new study in its early stages at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the United Kingdom is monitoring a group of two-year-olds with the intention of using the data
When horses are working hard, especially in hot weather, they are particularly prone to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
A recent study performed by Ron Riegel, DVM, on 30 racing Standardbreds confirms that the popular nutraceutical supplement MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) can have far-reaching effects on the ability of equine muscle tissue to rebound from exercise
When preparing a horse for athletic events and sporting activities, whatever the discipline or level of difficulty, an important consideration is finding the horse’s ideal body weight. This concept is well recognized in human athletics. For”P>When preparing a horse for athletic events and sporting activities, whate
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For a horse to perform well as an athlete, all body systems must be in good working order. When one or more system breaks down, the horse is no longer able to perform to its potential, and the owner, rider, and trainer will notice a decline in”P>For a horse to perform well as an athlete, all body systems must be in good working order. When one or more system breaks down”>For a hors
A huge amount of time, effort, and money often are invested in the preparation of horses for various athletic events, including Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, three-day eventing, steeplechasing, dressage, hunter-jumper events, reining,
They purport to Increase power. Delay fatigue. Increase stamina. Build muscle. Reduce recovery time. Extensive research has proven… Doubtless, most of you have seen and read advertisements for nutritional supplements in”P align=left>They purport to Increase power. Delay fatigue. Increase stamina. Build muscle. Reduce recovery time. Extensive research has proven… Doubtless, most of you have seen and read advertisements ” align=left>They purport to Increase power. Delay fatigue. Increase stamina. Build muscle. Reduce recovery time. Extensive research has proven… Doubtless, most of you have “align=left>They purport to Increase power. Delay fatigue. Increase stamina. Build muscle. Reduce recovery time. Extensive research has proven… “lign=left>They purport to Increase power. Delay fatigue. Increase stamina. Build muscle. Reduce recovery time. Extensi”ign=left>They purport to Increase power. Delay fatigue. Increase stamina. Build muscle. Reduc”gn=left>They purport to Increase power. Delay fatigue. Increase stamina”n=left>They purport to Increase power. Delay fat”=left>They purport to Incr”left
When and what should I feed my horse before exercise? This question is very familiar to equine nutritionists, and generally sparks considerable debate about feeding management of horses prior to competition. While it generally is agreed that
With the summer months approaching, it is time for a refresher on the impact of the warmer environmental conditions on your horse. Warmer temperatures and high relative humidity place added stress on horses during exercise because of their
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