Jon Holling’s message today is as simple as it is useful–take a break. Speaking of which, take it away Jon…
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From Jon:
The holidays are a time full of family, festivities and my favorite thing…food. It is during this time of year that most of us spend a little extra time relaxing, and hopefully recharging ourselves, for the upcoming season. Having grown up in Milwaukee I know all too well how long those winter months can get being stuck in an indoor. Take the next few weeks and do something that will help you and your horse be happy to work come the spring, take a break. I know, I know, what kind of a coach tells his students to not work? Pretty crazy stuff huh? But I promise you not only will you get that holiday shopping done and provide yourself with the time to attend this years USEA annual meeting in Nashville (YEE HAW!), but you will also be rewarded with a happy horse.
So what about those of you in the south? There is an opportunity to give your horses a good break and still make that crucial Ocala Horse Properties Horse Trial in early January. (Be sure to go to equiventures.com to check out the schedule and enter online!) Seriously though, I hope that anyone intending to start their competition season in January has planned for the long season ahead. I have three or four horses that I intend to run in early January. Those horses had at least a few weeks of down time in early November and are now getting legged back up to start into full work in December. When planning for the first competition of the season, I will work my way back in the calendar to ensure the timing is just right. Ideally I want my preliminary and up horses to have had two gallops before their first competition. Before they gallop I would want them to have had at least two weeks of proper flat work which follows two weeks of walking. As you can see this will mean planning the break out well in advance. Basically you will need to plan it out two months ahead of the first competition of the season.
We are very fortunate to have so many opportunities to compete throughout the year here in the US. Just because we can compete all year does not mean we should. The truth is that what we ask our four legged friends to do is hard work. A short break now will be rewarded by a happier more sound partner at whatever destination event you end up at next spring. So kick back, relax and enjoy a little break, your horse will thank you.
