Equine fitness – How can we prepare to get back in the saddle?

to help decide what your horses ability is realistically. Then how long a training programme is appropriate for him as well as any individual factors or recommendations with regards to additional therapies physiotherapy supplementation and feeding.   
Training for success
Although some horses are naturally fitter than others all working horses should be trained to some extent. This ensures that their bodies are slowly acclimatised to perform work. It is particularly important when intending to compete. This is how we help them to avoid injury whilst getting them closer to their true athletic ability so they perform better. 
Biologically speaking
Training aims to improve oxygen consumption and delivery to the cells. This enables them to withstand increasing activity. The horse normally uses aerobic meaning with airoxygen metabolism to provide energy for movement. But when the oxygen level is lowered with repeated exercise they switch to anaerobic metabolism ie no oxygen this produces lactic acid. The lactic acid hinders further muscle contraction and ends up causing the horse to become tired. It then needs some time to be removed from the system so the muscles can work better again. 
The switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism is faster in undertrained horses so they tire quicker but training helps to gradually delay this process so they can endure harder faster and longer exercise. Fitness also helps to tone and build required muscle condition the horse neurologically eg to get the hang of movements and train him psychologically to sustain the attitude he needs to do his job happily.
Devise a training programme and stick to it
Now for the fun part! There isnt a onesizefitsall training programme this is why its important to have regular contact with either your vet or a reputable trainer in your discipline who can help devise a plan for your horse. You should aim for a minimum of 812 weeks to build to a level of fitness that allows your horse to undertake regular work at the desired level. 
However this really does depend on the individual time available and the goal. A training programme should be detailed day by day incorporate a day off to relax and allow for leeway depending on how the horse is getting on. It should start off gently and increase slowly to increase his fitness gradually. The programme should set exercise periods and intensities for each day it should allow varied work that doesnt just concentrate
on his discipline in order to prevent injury and keep him mentally stimulated. 
Ideally it should involve some hillwork and fast work to enhance cardiovascular fitness. Its important to remember to always warm up and cool down and remember to do some gentle stretching exercises.
Pull your own weight
Its easy to focus all our efforts on preparing and fittening our horses but we should remember that as riders we are responsible for making sure that we too are fit enough for the job. We are a partnership at the end of the day. You dont want to make it harder work for your horse by not having the strength to keep you balanced in the saddle. 
As horse owners we seem to do plenty of weight training between tipping wheelbarrows and hauling feed sacks around but we should all try to squeeze in some additional regular exercise so that we can help our horses do the best they can.
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