This is one of my favourite training routes from my parents house because it really does have a bit of everything. It’s about 17km long with some big climbs, around 400m elevation.
It starts off on quiet country B-roads for the first few km’s with a steady climb from the valley floor up to the local Forestry, there are some lovely off road grass/stone track sections which pass some old stone wales and run down stone cottages.
The first forestry track is all up hill and I choose to canter or trot most of it as the middle section is mostly walk. I then turn off the forestry onto open moor land at the top of the first mountain, this bit is great to teach them where to put their feet and flex at the hocks as it’s very undulating and soft in places, this grassy track meanders through forest along the mountain ridge so even in horrendous weather it’s always sheltered.
This then opens out into more forestry which is flatish (as flat as you can get in Mid Wales) and we have a good canter along here, it then turns onto the mountain road which gives you a great view down the valley with two majestic mountains flanking you on either side.
When I deem my horses balanced enough I trot down this road but Azid isn’t ready for that yet to we slowly walked back down to the valley floor. The last section turns off down stony track, through a wood, we cross the river and then come back down the lane to my parents house. I love that it’s a loop and you don’t repeat any sections.
The whole thing took Azid and I about an hour and 45mins in total with almost an hour of walk, 12minutes of canter and the rest at trot, it’s also great gate practice as we had 11 gates to open, and I’m pleased to say he hasn’t forgotten his training and we did them all mounted without any drama, apart from the odd temper tantrum about wanting to get on with it while I struggled with the clasp!
This was the longest ride I’ve done on Azid since his most recent accident (and since the two before that actually), it was so wonderful to ride him, spend the time with him and share one of my favourite routes through his little bay ears, I particularly love the little black border and tips he has around his tiny ears, they make an extra lovely frame for some pretty spectacular views.
Beth Endurance 