CConditioning the onditioning the DDriving riving HHorseorse

Forward:Forward:This presentation was produced by Karen Habbestad forThis presentation was produced by Karen Habbestad forMonocacy Equine Veterinary Associates, Dickerson, Maryland, 301.607.4025.Monocacy Equine Veterinary Associates, Dickerson, Maryland, 301.607.4025.

The sole purpose and intention of this presentation is for client educational use The sole purpose and intention of this presentation is for client educational use only.only.

No parts of this presentation shall be altered, sold, used or distributed without No parts of this presentation shall be altered, sold, used or distributed without express written consent of Dr. Richard J. Forfa, Monocacy Equine Veterinary express written consent of Dr. Richard J. Forfa, Monocacy Equine Veterinary Associates and Karen Habbestad.Associates and Karen Habbestad.

Photography © Karen Habbestad, all rights reserved.Photography © Karen Habbestad, all rights reserved.

www.karenhabbestad.com

Text reference Text reference Conditioning Sport HorsesConditioning Sport Horses by Hillary M. Clayton. by Hillary M. Clayton.

CConditioning the onditioning the DDriving riving HHorseorse

Richard J. Forfa, DVMRichard J. Forfa, DVMMonocacy Equine Veterinary AssociatesMonocacy Equine Veterinary Associates301.607.4025301.607.4025www.monocacyequine.comwww.monocacyequine.com

Feeding and Nutrition

ProteinProtein 8-10% Protein8-10% Protein

Requirement for protein increases very Requirement for protein increases very little with increased exerciselittle with increased exercise

Increased protein increases fluid loss in Increased protein increases fluid loss in sweat and urinesweat and urine

Feeding and Nutrition

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates

Absorbed in intestine as glucoseAbsorbed in intestine as glucose

Main energy sourceMain energy source

Increased energy demands realizes a Increased energy demands realizes a need for increased grains need for increased grains (carbohydrates)(carbohydrates)

Feeding and Nutrition

FatsFatsConcentrated energy sourceConcentrated energy source

Feed increased fat (up to 15%) feedsFeed increased fat (up to 15%) feeds

Corn Oil is 90% digestibleCorn Oil is 90% digestible

Small amounts are stored in muscles as Small amounts are stored in muscles as triglycerides, however most are storedtriglycerides, however most are storedas adipose tissueas adipose tissue

Longer exercise duration increases fat use.Longer exercise duration increases fat use.

Vitamins and MineralsVitamins and Minerals

MineralsMineralsCa+ , Phosphorus, K+, NaCl, Mg, Fe, SeleniumCa+ , Phosphorus, K+, NaCl, Mg, Fe, Selenium

VitaminsVitaminsA D EA D E

Homemade Electrolyte supplement

NaNa++KK++

3 parts NaCl3 parts NaCl1 part KCL 1 part KCL

Add to Feed at rate of 1-4 tablespoons per dayAdd to Feed at rate of 1-4 tablespoons per day

Water

Idle horse – 28 liters/dayIdle horse – Hot day – 80 liters/dayExercise increases consumption and need for water

Hay Feeding

It is suggested that carriageIt is suggested that carriagedriving horses driving horses be fed 1.8 – 2% be fed 1.8 – 2% of body weight in hay to of body weight in hay to maintain a fluid reservoirmaintain a fluid reservoirin their intestinein their intestine

Feeding on the Competition DayFeeding on the Competition Day

The old theory was to starve horse on the day of The old theory was to starve horse on the day of the competition which naturally would leave them the competition which naturally would leave them with an empty gut.with an empty gut.

Current Theory: Current Theory:

Feed meal of hay and grain 4 hours prior to start of Feed meal of hay and grain 4 hours prior to start of the competition or long drivethe competition or long drive

Taper the Work Load

Tapering work load prior to competition allows glycogen storage in muscles to be replenished.

Do NOT over train.

Cardiovascular ConditioningCardiovascular Conditioning

The objective is to raise the aerobic capability The objective is to raise the aerobic capability while still maintaining sufficient anaerobic power while still maintaining sufficient anaerobic power and muscle strength for bursts of high intensity and muscle strength for bursts of high intensity activity. activity. (e.g. pulling a big hill(e.g. pulling a big hillor driving through a hazard)or driving through a hazard)

Objective: Long Slow DistanceObjective: Long Slow Distance

60 minutes of work at average speed of 8kph60 minutes of work at average speed of 8kph

Aerobic endurance equals exercise for a prolonged period at Aerobic endurance equals exercise for a prolonged period at low to moderate intensity.low to moderate intensity.

Resting HR = 28-40 bpmResting HR = 28-40 bpmMeasure a distance of 1 to 3 kilometersMeasure a distance of 1 to 3 kilometersthen calculate average speed with a stopwatch. then calculate average speed with a stopwatch. Measure pulse or heart rate.Measure pulse or heart rate.100-160 bpm are ok.100-160 bpm are ok.

Start your distance component first

For Example:Start of long slow distances three (3) times per week at walk and trot.

As the work gets easier for the horse do one (1) long work at the full distance.

Then 2 to 6 shorter conditioning drives at faster speed.HR may rise to 70-180 bpm.

This work should be accomplished over a minimum of a two (2) week period.

Anaerobic Conditioning

In the later stages of conditioning:

Heart rates 170-200 bpmWorking horse at fast speeds, on a steep hill, through a hazard or through sandy ground.

The Duration of High Speed or Intense WorkThe Duration of High Speed or Intense Work

The Duration of High Speed or Intense WorkThe Duration of High Speed or Intense Workis to minimize risk or injuryis to minimize risk or injurydue to fatigue or overloading.due to fatigue or overloading.

Uphill gradients are best at trot. Uphill gradients are best at trot.

Load cardiovascular and respiratoryLoad cardiovascular and respiratorysystems without high stresssystems without high stressto bones and or jointsto bones and or joints

Respiratory ConditioningRespiratory Conditioning

Rate and depth of breathing.Rate and depth of breathing.

Controlled in part by chemoreceptors which respond to levels Controlled in part by chemoreceptors which respond to levels of blood Oof blood O22, CO, CO22, and arterial pH., and arterial pH.

Increased respiratory rate = decreased OIncreased respiratory rate = decreased O22, increased CO, increased CO22 and and

decreased pHdecreased pH

Normal Breaths per MinuteNormal Breaths per Minute

Normal Breaths per minute 12-20Normal Breaths per minute 12-20Can go as high as 180bpm.Can go as high as 180bpm.

When exercise stops horse’s respiration rate will settle to 60-When exercise stops horse’s respiration rate will settle to 60-100bmp and breaths will be deep until O100bmp and breaths will be deep until O22 dept is dept is

repaired/replaced.repaired/replaced.

One factor in determining the speed of recovery is the One factor in determining the speed of recovery is the ambient temperature.ambient temperature.

Overheating and PantingOverheating and Panting

If overheating is a problem:If overheating is a problem:The horse will pant.The horse will pant.

Panting = Fast and Shallow BreathsPanting = Fast and Shallow Breaths

Panting is a heat exchange mechanism.Panting is a heat exchange mechanism.

Panting does NOT providePanting does NOT provideadequate Oadequate O22 to lung tissue. to lung tissue.

Thermo-RegulationThermo-Regulation

Rectal temperature at restRectal temperature at restaverages 38 º C, 100.5º Faverages 38 º C, 100.5º F

During warm-up the body temperatureDuring warm-up the body temperaturerises about 1º to get musclesrises about 1º to get musclesup to optimal functional temperature.up to optimal functional temperature.

The Rate of Heat Build-UpThe Rate of Heat Build-Up

The rate of heat build-up depends on:The rate of heat build-up depends on:Duration of exerciseDuration of exerciseIntensity of exerciseIntensity of exerciseEnvironmental temperature and humidityEnvironmental temperature and humidityHydration status of horseHydration status of horse

Body temperature peaksBody temperature peaks10 minutes after heavy10 minutes after heavyexercise and should drop exercise and should drop to normal within 10-20 minutes.to normal within 10-20 minutes.

Thermo-Regulation FactorsThermo-Regulation Factors

•Surface area of bodySurface area of body•Hair CoatHair Coat•Air TemperatureAir Temperature•HumidityHumidity•Wind SpeedWind Speed

Other Driving TipsOther Driving Tips

•In Long Slow DistanceIn Long Slow Distance HRHR 80-140bpm80-140bpm•More Speed WorkMore Speed Work HRHR 40-160bpm40-160bpm•Acceleration SprintsAcceleration Sprints HRHR 180bpm180bpm

•As soon as you slow up the HR should drop to 120bpmAs soon as you slow up the HR should drop to 120bpm

Strength TrainingStrength Training

• Pull Up HillsPull Up Hills• Add weight to carriage 30-50% over competition weightAdd weight to carriage 30-50% over competition weight (be sure to do it gradually)(be sure to do it gradually)

• Vary traveling surfaces*Vary traveling surfaces*• Deep ground (sand)Deep ground (sand)• Water (drag)Water (drag) *use in moderation*use in moderation

Dynamic SupplingDynamic Suppling

• Good warm-up and warm-downGood warm-up and warm-down• Dressage under saddleDressage under saddle• Large and small circles with carriageLarge and small circles with carriage

Passive SupplingPassive Suppling

Stretching exercisesStretching exercises

Peaking and TaperingPeaking and Tapering

Lower level horses 5 days prior to competitionLower level horses 5 days prior to competition

Upper level horses decrease long slow work and add more Upper level horses decrease long slow work and add more speed work two (2) weeks before the competitionspeed work two (2) weeks before the competition

*Allow the horse’s body to be fully hydrated*Allow the horse’s body to be fully hydrated

*Allow the horse’s body to have a high storage of glycogen*Allow the horse’s body to have a high storage of glycogen

Any minor tissue damage healedAny minor tissue damage healed

Exercise daily but decrease levelExercise daily but decrease level

Every horse is differentEvery horse is different

Fitness PeakFitness Peak

After a fitness peak let the horse down slowly over After a fitness peak let the horse down slowly over a 2 to 3 week period. a 2 to 3 week period.

Stay at a low workload until about halfway to your Stay at a low workload until about halfway to your next fitness peak, then increase work again.next fitness peak, then increase work again.

Remember...Remember...

Without proper care & conditioning you’ll have a Without proper care & conditioning you’ll have a carriage, but no horse to pull it.carriage, but no horse to pull it.

Richard J. Forfa, DVMMonocacy Equine Veterinary Associates 301.607.4025 www.monocacyequine.com

Karen Habbestadwww.karenhabbestad.comkaren@karenhabbestad.com