Conditioning Programs are Directed Towards:

2. Conditioning Programs are Directed Towards: • cardiovascular • lungs • muscular • bone and tendon • thermoregulation • nervous system • better integration for improved co-ordination in events involving skill • faster firing of nervous impulses • psychological familiarity

3. Types of Conditioning • cardiovascular conditioning • respiratory • cardiovascular • muscular • strength training • increase power or endurance of muscle groups (sport specific) • suppling exercises • increase range of motion • more athletic and reduce risk of injury

4. Short Term Response • use of glycogen reserves • lactate accumulation • torn muscle fibers, tissue damage • excessive loss of fluids • repetitive cycle • destruction and repair essential part of conditioning • rebuilding phase strengthens tissues • repair time - 2-3 days • don’t need complete rest • intense exercise affects immune system • respiratory illnesses

5. Long Term Response • cardiovascular and muscular system • 3-5 weeks • increase maximum oxygen consumption • improved O2 delivery • increased O2 utilization • ligament and tendon conditioning • bone conditioning

6. Principles • related to the type of competition • every animal is different • training program has to be adjusted to the individual horse • need to assess when an animal is overstressed

7. Designing a Conditioning Program • horse • breed/type (temperament) • age • conditioning history • present level of fitness • previous injuries • sport • type of sport • level of competition • timing of competition during the season

8. rider • time schedule • competitive objectives • environment • weather • terrain • facilities

9. Training for Optimum Performance • early stages • low intensity exercise of moderate duration • improve suppleness and joint mobility • adaptations to the saddle and weight of rider • harder stages • development of muscles and cardiovascular systems • maintenance • allows horse to maintain peak fitness

10. peak • taper work load last few days before a competition • 5-10 days for long events • 3-5 days for smaller stresses • after performance • decrease work load 20 % until midway between peaks ( repair and restore) • seasonal break • monitor progress

12. intensity • HR easy measurement of intensity • increase speed • advance impulsion, gradients, add dead weight, work in loose, deep surface, temperature/humidity are high • duration • low intensity exercise , with increasing duration • maintain or reduce duration, with increased intensity • final stage, sport specific • frequency • varies with stage of training • improve fitness - 3 days/week • maintain fitness - 2 days/week

13. progressive loading • need gradual increase in workload • maintain new workload until adapted • increase workload again • overloading • too much stress - too little recovery time • aerobic • poor performance, increase PCV, • strength training • muscle strains, ligament and bone injuries • avoid excessive repetition

14. Figure 7.2 and 7.4 in text book