{"id":87945,"date":"2022-04-12T15:49:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T13:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preprod.antares-sellier.com\/?p=87945"},"modified":"2022-07-12T09:08:04","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T07:08:04","slug":"the-winter-break-keeping-your-horses-fit-and-healthy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antares-sellier.com\/en\/2022\/04\/12\/the-winter-break-keeping-your-horses-fit-and-healthy\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter break : keep your horses healthy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Our Antar\u00e8s riders, Maxime Livio<\/strong> and Zazie Gardeau<\/strong> have taken some time out to tell you how they keep their horses in good shape over the winter break after a busy season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00abThe season began quietly but was pretty good. This year, I regained the level and goals that I hoped to reach \u00bb :<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab It\u2019s difficult to give any set rules<\/strong> as each horse recovers differently but overall, CCI1* and 2* horses rest for a week, while 3*S horses need 15 days, 3*L one month, 4*S, 15 days and 4*L horses, one month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some horses need light, non-strenuous exercise<\/strong> during their rest periods (turns on a lead rope, stretching, walking) to help them recover and maintain muscle tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This applies to horses that have been conditioned by the work they do and this helps them to recover<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By contrast, other horses, like Qalao need a rest from riding. They can spend a month on a walker, in the paddock and grooming<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The priority is keeping a close eye on things, even during the preparation period. The horses must feel pampered and you\u2019ve got to look out for all those little knocks. \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab This is stage two, after rest and recovery. It\u2019s also specific to each horse. Generally, 80% of the time, you should focus on working, comfort and trust (80% rhythm and attitude for the comfort of the horse<\/strong> and the remaining 20% in movements to mechanise the horse, which are not so comfortable).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This must be related to conditioning exercises that must maintain a specific level (canters, short gallops<\/strong>) to keep the horse\u2019s body ready to work prior to the preparation period. \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve got several:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab I think we need to remember riders<\/strong> too. To give you an idea, stirrups are banned in January at the stables. All the riders remove the stirrups<\/strong> on all the horses for canters, walks and work on the flat. We only put them back on for jumping as not all horses are suited to jumping without them. It\u2019s quite an important period for the riders to build their strength back up<\/strong>. It\u2019s the best way to properly dose the amount of work the horses do as it\u2019s physically demanding for the rider. So, we\u2019re less stringent with the horses and they gradually get back up to speed while we get back into the swing of things to start the season in a good position, which is an essential for horse riding! \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab I\u2019m really happy with my 2021 season. I came 3rd in the French Pro 2 Championships<\/strong> at Pompadour, on C\u00e9sar<\/strong>. We won our first CCI3* short event at Saumur, came 2nd in the CCI2* short at Jardy and won the CCI2* long at Ligni\u00e8res last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I won the CCI3* long at Vairano, Italy, riding Udine<\/strong> and we competed at the European Championships for Young Riders<\/strong> this summer in Sweden. \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab In our sport, our season finishes in November and we generally take a 3-month break from competition<\/strong>. I let my horses have about one month\u2019s holiday before they start winter training. When I say, \u201cholidays\u201d, I mean walking, days spent in the pasture, short outings on a rope or unleashed, plus plenty of carrots! \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab When I start working with my horses again, I do it gradually, including stretching sessions<\/strong> and pole work in my weekly training programme. This helps me build muscle strength and keep the exercises fun. \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab My main goal for 2022 is to qualify for, and compete in, the European Championships for Young Riders<\/strong> that will held in Hartpury, in June. \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab I spend a lot of time on foot with my horses, massaging them, taking care of them and sometimes playing with them untethered. When the season\u2019s in full swing, I have less time for these things so I try to make the most of winter to reinforce our bond<\/strong>. \u00bb<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How do you keep your horses fit and healthy? Our Antar\u00e8s riders, Maxime Livio and Zazie Gardeau have taken some time out to tell you how they keep their horses in good shape over the winter break after a busy season. Maxime Livio looks back at his record from the past season: \u00abThe season began quietly but was pretty […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":85125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[468,469],"tags":[],"prestashop_id":[],"class_list":["post-87945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice-upkeep","category-antares-riders-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMaxime Livio looks back at his record from the past season:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
The rest and recovery process for the horses (how and for how long):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tasks to maintain the horses:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2022 season goals:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Fun fact or recommendation to finish with, to keep horses in good condition during this winter break.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Zazie Gardeau looks back at her season:<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
The rest and recovery process for the horses (how and for how long):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tasks to maintain the horses:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Goals for 2022:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fun fact:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n