Trotting, trotting, and more trotting. And then, when you're done trotting, more trotting.
Jokes aside, the best way to get a strong, fit horse is tons of trot work, including bending, poles/cavaletti, and transition exercises.
If you're looking for endurance at the canter (for eventing or the like), do this Jim Wofford exercise. Basically, do set times of cantering multiple times each ride. The progression is essentially
2 for 1 minute
2 for 2 minutes
3 for 2
3 for 3
4 for 3
4 for 4
And increase as desired, following this pattern. In the article I read, Jim said that many of his students practice regular "5 for 5"s. This has really helped my stocky quarter horse's endurance.
Trotting, trotting, and more trotting. And then, when you're done trotting, more trotting.
Jokes aside, the best way to get a strong, fit horse is tons of trot work, including bending, poles/cavaletti, and transition exercises.
If you're looking for endurance at the canter (for eventing or the like), do this Jim Wofford exercise. Basically, do set times of cantering multiple times each ride. The progression is essentially
2 for 1 minute
2 for 2 minutes
3 for 2
3 for 3
4 for 3
4 for 4
And increase as desired, following this pattern. In the article I read, Jim said that many of his students practice regular "5 for 5"s. This has really helped my stocky quarter horse's endurance.
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