Training Schedule

Question
How many days in a row should I train? If I know I have a race in three weeks should I give my horse any days completely off? Should I give my horse days off following a race?

Thank You

Answer
Rusty,

Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules about how to train a racehorse.  Generally the best idea is to tailor your training schedule to each individual runner.  Most trainers at major tracks train 6 days out of seven, with the horse hand walked or hung on a hotwalker on the remaining day. If their horse isn't as sound as he should be, some trainers do less gallopping and more walking between races.
As a general rule of thumb, the more exercise the horse gets, the fitter he will be, and the better he will run.  But days off are important for muscle rebuilding.  Any time the muscle is seriously stressed, a day or so off will allow time for the system to recuperate and rebuild fresh tissue.  Sometimes days off are good for a horse's mental condition as well.  After a strong racing effort, or even after a hard workout, most trainers will give a horse a day or two off, depending on how he comes back after the race.  The horse will usually let you know when he is ready to return to training.

I hope that this helps,
Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloodstock.com