I will train for both codes and the horses I aim to take for training will have a similar range of target race distances and therefore comparable physiological profile. Adopting this general principle I aim to develop small training groups that can rationally be joined together. It is not my intention to train short distance (6 furlong and under) sprinters.

The question as to whether training racehorses is an art or a science is an interesting and relevant one when looked at in the context of optimizing their racing potential and keeping them injury free to realize that potential. Whether humans and horses be accurately compared with one another in the context of physical preparation for competition is an thought provoking debate. In human sport the greater depth of understanding of the multi-factorial nature of training has a great debt to the development of knowledge and understanding in science and medicine.

Drawing a distinction between training and merely exercising is important. Training involves a wide range of sport/discipline specific activities where the aim is to create improvements in performance. As a species it could be argued that horses are naturally fitter than the average 21st century Western World human; this may suggests that nothing more than regular exercise will make a horse fit enough to compete credibly against another. This leads to the question is an individual horse’s success on the racecourse due to its natural ability or as a result of their their training regime? Everyone will no doubt have an opinion!

When it comes to training for humans and racehorses my philosophy is no different and quite simple:
 
1 - Evaluate the specific physical demands of the sport/activity and structure a training regime around them
 
2 - Treat the body as a single entity and aim for a balanced programme that does not over develop one area at the expense of another
 
3 - Training should be multi-dimensional. Improving cardiovascular fitness, agility, muscle strength, speed endurance, a change of pace, proprioception and mental resilience all takes specific but joined-up applications.  

4 - Attention to detail. This has a wide span of activities and can make the difference between success and being an also-ran. This can emcompass things like diet, hydration regimes, warming up routines and sport specific skills.
 
5 - A training plan requires the application of several different and distinct phases building up to competition. The key phrase to them all is progressive overload with adaptation. The body needs time to respond to a training load and that load needs to be incrementally increased in tandem with the adaptation process
 
6 - Rest: Any training programme needs to have an element of down-time and the adage a rest is as good as a run is a wise one.
 
7 - Select the competition carefully. Peak performance can only last for a relatively short space of time so it is crucial to ensure that the window of opportunity is used wisely.