How to Get Your Horse Fit Enough for a Three-Day Competition

Working to improve your horse's fitness to get it ready for a three-day competition requires time, patience and understanding of the event you and your horse will be taking part in. Training for a three-day event involving dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium show jumping will be quite different from training for a three-day endurance trail ride. Before you start training, consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your horse is physically sound for the event.

Instructions

    • 1

      Research the requirements of your event. Determine what will be expected of your hors. Talk to event organizers and experienced horse people who have taken part in similar events to find out what gaits your horse must work in, how long you will be riding each day, the height of any jumps and other event-related details.

    • 2

      Make a training schedule. Most horses are ready for a competition within 16 weeks of preparation, according to the British Equine Veterinary Association Trust. Schedule your training so that your horse is exercised with a consistent amount of time between workouts, such as every other day, as opposed to three days of training with three or four days off.

    • 3

      Spend the first several weeks on endurance training. Start working with your horse at a comfortable speed for a brief amount of time, then slowly increase the time you spend riding and add faster gaits, such as a trot or canter, as your horse becomes more fit.

    • 4

      Add high-speed conditioning. Increase your horse's anaerobic capacity by completing high-speed training, or riding at a speed similar to that of your competition, once every 5 to 10 days. The Horse website suggests keeping your training speed under 85 percent of what is expected for competition to prevent injury or fatigue.

    • 5

      Begin incorporating event-specific skills. For an event such as a three-day trail ride, take your horse to a nearby state park to expose it to trail riding. For a competition focusing on several disciplines, spend 1 or 2 days a week focusing on each discipline, giving your horse exposure to all the skills needed for the competition.

    • 6

      Talk to a professional. Ask a local horse trainer or professional rider for assistance in assessing your training or your horse's fitness schedule if you are unsure how it is progressing. If you do not think you will be able to fully prepare your horse, consider hiring a trainer.