Many of us are emerging from wooly layers in to an active riding season aboard horses that have stood through varying levels of dormancy the past months. A little prudence during this phase goes far. Not only will you avoid injuring or souring your horse, but by following my tips below, you will most effectively bring his body back in to full condition.
These sessions should involve exercise at a low heart rate (brisk walking with mellow trot segments interspersed). In the second and third week, keep two sessions per week at 25 minutes and increase the remaining sessions to 35 minutes. In week four, one of your sessions can be 45 minutes to one hour; all others should remain shorter. Be sure that at least one-third of your workout is still done at a walk.
Liked this article? Here are others on conditioning your horse: Start Your Horse’s Spring Training Video: Riding in Different Frames
Jec Aristotle Ballou is the author of 101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider.
good info
This would also help the rider.
The best method is not to stop for the winter.
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