Table 1.

Summary of the fitness-training schedule for the Standardbred horse

Preparation	Weeks	Schedule
Jogging phase	0–2 3–4	Jog for 3 km per day working up to 9 km per day by the end of the two week period Maintain 9 km per day for a further two weeks
Fast work phase	0–4	Start slow pace work or cantering every second day, gradually building to half and ¾ maximum intensity; no full-speed work
	5–6	Speed work integrated every 3 days over 2.8 km for 3 min and 50 s to 4 min and 10 s, whilst wearing a trotting harness; 9 km jog on days in-between. One day off in seven
	7–8	Horse deemed ready for pre-racing trials by the end of week 8
Racing	9–19	Periodic hard-work sessions maintained 2–3 times per week integrated with racing