{"id":7837,"date":"2018-08-20T08:56:13","date_gmt":"2018-08-20T07:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/?p=7837"},"modified":"2021-09-02T17:00:22","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T16:00:22","slug":"horse-training-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/horse-training-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plan your Horse\u2019s Training for the Entire Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>What if this year we started <strong>planning a little bit more<\/strong>? Like<strong> setting precise goals<\/strong>, such as &nbsp;1 or 2 important shows. That would already be great, wouldn\u2019t it? &#x1f60a; What if we went even further? <strong>Let\u2019s plan 1 year of sessions in advance<\/strong>! Do I hear you say it\u2019s impossible? There\u2019s no such thing!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more Read more-->\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/equisense1.typeform.com\/to\/KORD7WKd#source_acquisition=Blog&amp;campaign_acquisition=Programmation_entrainement_EN&amp;campaign_comm=TRC_rentree_2021&amp;medium_acquisition=Image\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-1024x609.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31041\" width=\"516\" height=\"306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-1024x609.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-768x457.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-454x270.jpg 454w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN-850x505.jpg 850w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/CARTE-IN-APP-NOUVEAU-TRC-EN.jpg 1495w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Click on the image to download the free Top Rider Challenge 2021. Take advantage of a detailed 15-day training program, to train with the discipline of champions!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table des mati&egrave;res<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#The-prerequisite-to-planning-your-horses-training-set-precise-goals-x1f3af\">The prerequisite to planning your horse\u2019s training: set precise goals &#x1f3af;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Horse-training-plans-101\">Horse training plans 101<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Evaluate-the-workload-to-choose-what-youll-be-working-on-every-week\">Evaluate the workload to choose what you\u2019ll be working on every week<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Let8217s-plan-this-year-together\">Let&#8217;s plan this year together<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-can-I-track-all-of-thisnbspx1f4f2\">How can I track all of this?&nbsp;&#x1f4f2;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"The-prerequisite-to-planning-your-horses-training-set-precise-goals-x1f3af\">The prerequisite to planning your horse\u2019s training: set precise goals &#x1f3af;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First and foremost, you have to understand that planning your horse\u2019s training requires you to set <strong>goals<\/strong>. These goals could be <strong>big shows, like 3 day shows<\/strong>. It may seem obvious, but I\u2019m sure only a few riders know from September on their entire show agenda. It is however impossible to plan ahead without it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p><em>\u201cStarting off a show season with no set goal is a random approach and therefore risky.\u201d Patrick Galloux<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s get to the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Horse-training-plans-101\">Horse training plans 101<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What I\u2019m about to tell you isn\u2019t actually specific to horse riding, but it goes for all sports. <strong>The point is to consider that your horse and yourself are full-fledged athletes. It\u2019s what we\u2019ve been saying to those \u201chorse riding isn\u2019t a sport\u201d people, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong> &#x1f609;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hold on to your seat for a few minutes, that\u2019s important. We\u2019re going to go from the scale of a year to the scale of a week. \u201cOfficial\u201d terms are as follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>A <strong>season<\/strong> (= a year)<\/li><li>A <strong>sequence<\/strong> (~a semester)<\/li><li>A <strong>period<\/strong>&nbsp;(~a trimester)<\/li><li>A <strong>cycle<\/strong> (= a month)<\/li><li>A <strong>micro-cycle<\/strong> (= a week)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s go over them one by one so you understand how useful they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>The sequences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sequences.png\" alt=\"training plan\" class=\"wp-image-7847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sequences.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sequences-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sequences-768x272.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sequences-1024x362.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Sequences-604x214.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A season, so a year, is divided in <strong><em>sequences<\/em><\/strong>. <strong>There are as many sequences as there are set show goals.<\/strong> I\u2019m not talking about little Sunday shows, but big events you have to be well prepared for (like 3 days shows). Let\u2019s imagine that you have a big show in May and the National Championships in July. Your season will then be cut in 2 sequences. Let\u2019s set the goal limit to 4 per season, so a maximum of 4 sequences in a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>1 sequence = 4 periods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Periodes-1.png\" alt=\"training plan tips\" class=\"wp-image-7870\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Periodes-1.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Periodes-1-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Periodes-1-768x272.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Periodes-1-1024x362.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Periodes-1-604x214.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Every sequence will then be divided into <strong><em>4 periods<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>The development (which represents at least 50% of the sequence)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>During this period, the workload is important, the sessions are long but not intense. It\u2019s around this time that we work on <strong>learning new things<\/strong> (like flying changes for instance), <strong>technique and muscle reinforcement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The development period can be cut in half with a resting phase if it\u2019s too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>The pre-show (which represents about ~30% of the sequence with a maximum of 2 cycles)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>During this shorter period we\u2019re rather looking for <strong>explosiveness and power<\/strong>. The sessions are <strong>shorter but more intense and technically difficult<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>The goal show (which represents about ~10% of the sequence)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This period is rather short and <strong>ends with one of the show goals you set<\/strong>. The sessions are <strong>short but technically difficult<\/strong>, like in a show!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>The Recovery<\/strong> (which represents about ~10% of the sequence)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the period <strong>after the goal show<\/strong>. Time to <strong>let your horse rest<\/strong> a bit! Give your horses a few days of rest before starting harder work again next sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Cycles and micro-cycles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cycles.png\" alt=\"training plan\" class=\"wp-image-7850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cycles.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cycles-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cycles-768x272.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cycles-1024x362.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cycles-604x214.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Then for each period we\u2019re going to count several <strong><em>cycles<\/em><\/strong>. These cycles are actually <strong>months<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, the cycles are divided in <strong>micro-cycles<\/strong>. These micro-cycles are <strong>weeks<\/strong>. Here we\u2019ll consider <strong>1 cycle = 4 micro-cycles<\/strong>: 3 progression micro-cycles + 1 \u201crest\u201d microcycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The workload during this \u201crest\u201d microcycle corresponds to the level of the first week of the cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/progression-1.png\" alt=\"horse training plans\" class=\"wp-image-7864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/progression-1.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/progression-1-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/progression-1-768x272.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/progression-1-1024x362.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/progression-1-604x214.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>A quick summary\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To be well prepared for your season, <strong>you have to set goals<\/strong>. These goals (2 to 3 big shows during the year) will pave your season and divide it in as many <strong>sequences<\/strong> as there are shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each <strong>sequence<\/strong> will be cut into <strong>4 periods<\/strong> which differ in the intensity and length of the session.<br>During these periods, <strong>cycles<\/strong> of 4 weeks are installed as such: 3 weeks of progression, and a week of \u201crest\u201d. And in the end, you get\u2026 this! &#x2b07;&#xfe0f;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3111\" height=\"1902\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_2-1.png\" alt=\"yearly planning horse\" class=\"wp-image-7873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_2-1.png 3111w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_2-1-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_2-1-768x470.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_2-1-1024x626.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_2-1-442x270.png 442w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3111px) 100vw, 3111px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Let\u2019s use an example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s keep our 2 goals of the year (a big show in May and Nationals in July). Your season will look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3111\" height=\"1902\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_1.png\" alt=\"planning horse training\" class=\"wp-image-7876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_1.png 3111w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_1-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_1-768x470.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_1-1024x626.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/programme_1-442x270.png 442w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3111px) 100vw, 3111px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>From <strong>late August to mid-February<\/strong>, you\u2019ll be in <strong>the development period<\/strong>, cut in half because it\u2019s quite long. The workload will increase gradually while following the cycles (3 weeks of progress, 1 week of rest\u201d. During this period, you\u2019ll work on your horse\u2019s <strong>physique, learning new things and technique<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From <strong>mid-February<\/strong> on, you\u2019ll enter the <strong>pre-show<\/strong> phase. The workload will <strong>decrease<\/strong>, but the <strong>intensity increases<\/strong>. <strong>Shorter sessions but denser<\/strong>! During this period, you\u2019ll work more specifically on things related to your goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A month before the goal show, you\u2019ll enter the <strong>show<\/strong> period. The sessions are short and look like what\u2019s expected in a show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, <strong>the 2 weeks following the show<\/strong> are dedicated to your <strong>horse\u2019s recovery<\/strong>. The horse has to recover from the first sequence and rest to start over for the next sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>&#x1f4da; Read more: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/handle-stress-shows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Here&#8217;s how to handle stress during shows<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Evaluate-the-workload-to-choose-what-youll-be-working-on-every-week\">Evaluate the workload to choose what you\u2019ll be working on every week<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You now know how you\u2019ll be working for the next few months, but now you want to know <strong>what you\u2019re going to work on daily<\/strong>! First, let\u2019s talk about each session\u2019s <strong>workload<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The workload, to put it short, is <strong>the amount of energy your horse uses in a session<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s pretty vague. And it depends on a lot of factors: the level you train at, your horse\u2019s age, if it is a mare, a gelding, a stallion, how much it weighs\u2026 Let\u2019s keep it simple and look at what can change your workload while doing flatwork, jumping and hacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Flatwork or dressage sessions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll talk about 3 different type of flatwork sessions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Stretching,<\/strong> which is good for recovery. You\u2019ll then work on suppleness, the contact with your horse\u2019s mouth, with a low and round attitude. No technical difficulties.<\/li><li><strong>Technical work,<\/strong> which will allow you to teach new things to your horse. You\u2019ll ask for more balance and control, for instance to work on collection. You\u2019ll work on ground poles for example.<\/li><li><strong>Muscle building,<\/strong> which will make your horse work with a lot of energy on your horse\u2019s muscles, with exercises such as raised ground poles, working and going backwards then forward without losing energy, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The workload goes gradually: <strong>stretching &lt; technique &lt; muscles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/dressage-exercises-muscles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"broken_link\">4 dressage exercises to build your horse&#8217;s muscles<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Stretching.png\" alt=\"programmer l'entrainement de son cheval programmation de l'entrainement entrainement de son cheval\" class=\"wp-image-4934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Stretching.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Stretching-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Stretching-768x300.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Stretching-1024x400.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Stretching-604x236.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Jumping sessions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll talk about 4 different type of session:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Gymnastic work<\/strong>, which consists in exercises over small fences to get the horse used to jumping, improve its technique and control without going too hard. These are important sessions, but they aren\u2019t too taxing.<\/li><li><strong>Mechanization<\/strong>, in which you can raise the height a bit. You can work on this with lines that make it easier to jump higher, or with exercises like a figure 8, curved lines\u2026<\/li><li><strong>Combinations<\/strong>, like in a show.<\/li><li><strong>Muscle building<\/strong>, while jumping this time. Jumps at walk, bounce jumps, large fences with no momentum\u2026<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s gradual here as well: <strong>gym &lt; mechanization &lt; combinations &lt; muscles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/gridwork-exercises-horse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4 gridwork exercises you have to try<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Obstacle.png\" alt=\"programmer l'entrainement de son cheval programmation de l'entrainement entrainement de son cheval\" class=\"wp-image-4931\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Obstacle.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Obstacle-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Obstacle-768x300.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Obstacle-1024x400.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Obstacle-604x236.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>Trot and canter hacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll talk about different types of hacks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>\u201cClassic\u201d trot hacks,<\/strong> 30 minutes on flat ground<\/li><li><strong>\u201cUneven terrain\u201d trot hack,<\/strong> which contains a sloped ground<\/li><li><strong>Interval canter hacks<\/strong> (4 reps of 3 minutes at canter &#8211; 2 minutes at trot for instance). It gets harder if you trot less.<\/li><li><strong>The \u2018continuous canter\u2019 hacks<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s obvious that for any of these sessions, the length and the speed will have an impact on the workload. The quality of the ground (a softer ground will be harder on the horse), the slope (an uneven terrain will be easier than only one big climb\/descent) and of course the horse\u2019s training will also have an impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s put it this way: <strong>trot hack &lt; uneven terrain trot hack &lt; interval &lt; canter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/improve-horse-fitness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Here&#8217;s the only way to improve your horse&#8217;s fitness<\/a><\/p><p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/horse-active-recovery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Active recovery: here&#8217;s how it works<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1037\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/galop.png\" alt=\"programmer l'entrainement de son cheval programmation de l'entrainement entrainement de son cheval\" class=\"wp-image-4937\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/galop.png 1037w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/galop-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/galop-768x300.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/galop-1024x400.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/galop-604x236.png 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3>How to distribute these sessions during the week?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A great trick is to <strong>give each session a value, a number of points for each typical session<\/strong> according to the workload it represents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The score given to each typical session are given here as an example and depend on what you do with them. You have to adjust them to your horse. <strong>But here is an example of the workload for a show jumping horse.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Session<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Pts<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Description<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Paddock<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>Doesn\u2019t count for horses going every day<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ground work<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Walker<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>At walk<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hack<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>At walk<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lunging<\/td><td>3<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lunging +<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>With training aids and\/or ground poles<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stretching<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>We\u2019re looking for suppleness, with a low and round attitude<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cavalettis<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>Work on small fences<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Trot hack<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>30-45 min, flat terrain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Canter (1)<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>2000m at 350m\/min = show canter for 6 minutes once<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Dressage<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>We\u2019re looking to work on execution (ground poles, collected work)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mechanization jump<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>We\u2019re looking to work on execution (lines, exercises like figures 8 with jumps\u2026)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Canter (2)<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>2000m at 450m\/min = moderate cross country canter for 4min30 once<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Trot hack on uneven terrain<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>30-45 min, with a slope<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Course<\/td><td>6<\/td><td>Like in a show<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Canter (3)<\/td><td>7<\/td><td>4000m at 450m\/min = moderate cross country canter for 9min once<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Muscle building<\/td><td>7<\/td><td>Jumps at walk, bounce jumps, banks, large jumps at trot, reinback, raised poles&#8230;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Show<\/td><td>8<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The sessions are distributed in the week and we add up the points. <strong>The weekly total has to fit the representation from earlier<\/strong>: the workload increases during the development period, decreases during the 3 other periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is an example of a schedule for 12 weeks, at the beginning of the development period:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3111\" height=\"2295\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Planning.png\" alt=\"training plan\" class=\"wp-image-7879\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Planning.png 3111w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Planning-300x221.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Planning-768x567.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Planning-1024x755.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Planning-366x270.png 366w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3111px) 100vw, 3111px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Let8217s-plan-this-year-together\"><strong>Let&#8217;s plan this year together<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You want to plan as well? Let\u2019s see how to do it together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Let&#8217;s start with the goals &#x1f3af;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, ask yourself: <strong>What is my goal this year? Nationals? Internationals? A 1m20 class?<\/strong> A goal is a goal, no matter what it is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Set yourself a show and a \u2018level\u2019 as your main goal.<br>Then set one, two or three maximum <strong>medium goals<\/strong>. Write them down in a calendar as I said earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Let\u2019s distribute the periods, the cycles and micro-cycles. &#x1f3c6;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Distribute then the <strong>periods<\/strong> (development, pre-show, show and recovery) <strong>with the right proportions<\/strong> (about 50%, 30%, 10%, 10%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Establish a workload plan &#x1f4c5;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Go back to the scores per session and establish <strong>the workload score you\u2019re starting with<\/strong>. Add the \u201ctypical week\u201d points you had before, and you\u2019ll get a score which will be your basis. In the schedule just above, the workload score is 28. This can be far less if your horse doesn\u2019t work every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance: every week, my horse does 3 lunge sessions, 1 stretching session, 1 dressage session, 1 cavaletti session and 1 trot hack. This brings a total of 3*3+4+5+4+5=27 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Establish then <strong>the workload score week per week<\/strong> according to the level you set as a basis and observing the 3 progression weeks then one rest week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you want to take it even further, you can set for each cycle a small technical or physical goal. Example: <em>\u201cDuring the 4th development cycle, I want my horse to be able to do its Canter 2 with an active recovery time of 5mn\u201d<\/em>. This will help you run every week with small goals outside of shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Fill the microcycles with all this &#x1f58a;&#xfe0f;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, fill every day of the week according to the workload plan you set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here you go, your entire year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If interested, I have hereby made a full training program for a show jumping horse with two goals through out the year. Click here to read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/equisense.activehosted.com\/f\/60\">Download the full 2019-2020 program<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"How-can-I-track-all-of-thisnbspx1f4f2\"><strong>How can I track all of this?&nbsp;&#x1f4f2;<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, in order to program your horse\u2019s training for a whole season, it\u2019s important to set goals but also to <strong>measure and follow everything you do<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing you can do is <strong>write down every session<\/strong>. What was done, how intense, how many transitions, etc. The important thing is to <strong>collect as much information<\/strong> as you can in order to <strong>adjust the following sessions<\/strong>, and <strong>make sure everything is coherent<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/equisense.com\/products\/motion-sport\">Equisense Motion<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/equisense.com\/products\/motion-sport\">Equisense Motion S<\/a> will help you greatly. You can follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The type of sessions,<\/li><li>The length,<\/li><li>The time spent at each gait,<\/li><li>The number of jumps,<\/li><li>The number of transitions,<\/li><li>The ratio between both hands<\/li><li>The heart rate (for Motion S)<\/li><li>The speed<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"969\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/APP_1.png\" alt=\"training plans equisense motion\" class=\"wp-image-7882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/APP_1.png 969w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/APP_1-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/APP_1-768x440.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/APP_1-471x270.png 471w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 969px) 100vw, 969px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also analyse the progression on different factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Elevation<\/strong> improvement<\/li><li><strong>Stability <\/strong>of&nbsp;cadence<\/li><li>Improvement of the <strong>approach<\/strong> on combinations<\/li><li>Improvement of the <strong>symmetry<\/strong><\/li><li>Lower the <strong>heart rate<\/strong> at a certain<strong> speed<\/strong><\/li><li>Etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Following and measuring your progress will help you <strong>adjust the workload<\/strong> if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Fun fact &#x261d;&#xfe0f;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even without a sensor, you can now use the GPS tracker to mesure your speed and your cumulative elevation gain. In addition, the app can be used as a diary and allows you to manually enter every session you did. You can also enter every care session you did on your horse!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Equisense mobile app has <strong>more than 300 exercises<\/strong> you can pick from to liven up your sessions &#x1f60a;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the theoretical part of programming your training. It makes you realize what we should be doing and what we actually do! Don\u2019t feel bad, the important thing is to start trying. &#x1f609;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And for those of you who don\u2019t do shows, you can set goals as well and take inspiration from this plan to better prepare your sessions.&#x1f642;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Till the next article,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Camille Saute,<\/strong><br><strong>R&amp;D Director at Equisense.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h6>Cover picture: \u00a9J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Garnier<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Bibliography<br>Galloux, P. (2017). Programmer son entra\u00eenement\u202f: exemple du concours complet d\u2019\u00e9quitation. Retrieved August 15, 2018, from Equipaedia website: http:\/\/www.haras-nationaux.fr\/information\/accueil-equipaedia\/equitation\/l-entrainement\/programmer-son-entrainement-exemple-du-concours-complet.html<br>Bessat, G., Galloux, P., &amp; Mull, P. (2017). Planifier l\u2019entra\u00eenement du cheval &#8211; Organisation g\u00e9n\u00e9rale. Retrieved August 15, 2018, from Equipaedia website: http:\/\/www.haras-nationaux.fr\/information\/accueil-equipaedia\/equitation\/l-entrainement\/planifier-l-entrainement-du-cheval.html<br>Galloux, P., Mull, P., &amp; Bessat, G. (2017). Evaluation de la charge d\u2019entra\u00eenement &#8211; Premi\u00e8re approche. Retrieved August 15, 2018, from Equipaedia website: http:\/\/www.haras-nationaux.fr\/information\/accueil-equipaedia\/equitation\/l-entrainement\/evaluer-la-charge-d-entrainement.html<br>Galloux, P. (2017). Construire les microcycles d\u2019entra\u00eenement\u202f: exemple du concours complet. Retrieved August 15, 2018, from Equipaedia website: http:\/\/www.haras-nationaux.fr\/information\/accueil-equipaedia\/equitation\/l-entrainement\/construire-les-microcycles-d-entrainement-exemple-du-concours-complet.html<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What if this year we started planning a little bit more? Like setting precise goals,&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/horse-training-plan\/\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6177,6179],"tags":[6173,4813,6813],"yst_prominent_words":[6850,753,6849,6848,6839,6845,815,855,6824,6847,6846,6828,6844,756,775,1074,6163,776,806,6160],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7837"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7837"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7837\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31053,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7837\/revisions\/31053"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7837"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7837"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7837"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.equisense.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=7837"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}