How to exercise your horse for strength and flexibility

As an equine massage practitioner, I encounter horses with problems that, in my opinion, might be minimized through proper exercise and warm up. I would like to introduce some of the basic principles of gymnasticizing and warm up to you in this article.

Many good books have been written about the topic of exercising your horse for strength and flexibility and I will simply echo here in a brief summary what are considered to be the basic strengthening and flexing exercises (for details on how to perform these and many more exercises and how to apply which aids properly, please refer to an experienced trainer and to respective horse literature).

Carrying a rider is a most unnatural activity for our horse and we must ensure that he is physically capable of doing so comfortably and in balance.
This must be learned! No matter what your area of specializiation is, whether it’s dressage, eventing, trail or western pleasure, you must create the physical foundation to build on to keep your horse sound and healthy.

Exercises that strengthen the muscles of your horse and promote flexibility will result in less injury, less strain on tendons and ligaments, prevent dislocated ribs etc. and keep your horse fit for the task:

1. Warming up your horse before exercising

Give your horse sufficient time to warm up. Read the article How to warm up your horse before exercise and competition.

2. Building your horses‘ strength and flexibility

After your initial warm-up you will want to add a few rounds of relaxed canter. Still on the long rein, your horse is further encouraged to stretch the head downward and round his back.

Now your horse should be relaxed and moving forward willingly. You can commence your exercise, pick up your reigns to gain soft contact and incorporate some of the following movements to build strength and flexibility in your horse:

a) Trot over ground poles

Start by walking over ground poles. The distance between the ground poles should be about 5 feet, depending on the size of your horse and the length of his stride. You will want to start with 3 ground poles and work your way up to 5. Trot over ground poles and stay in a two point seat to make it easy for your horse to round his back and move freely. Be sure to give enough rein to enable the horse to stretch his neck.
What this will do for your horse: Trotting over the ground poles will encourage rounding of the back and therefore strengthening of the abdominal muscles. Your horse will learn to pick up his feet, stay in a rhythm, be coordinated and learn to negotiate obstacles at his own pace.
Note: If this is difficult for your horse or he shys away from the ground poles, have him do this exercise on the lunge first. Build up his confidence and coordination and praise him for a job well done, then call it a day. Then try it again mounted during your next session.

b) Riding Transitions

Ride transitions to encourage your horse to bring his hind under and carry himself better and rounder. Depending on the skill level of your horse, ride trot/walk/trot transitions or canter/walk/canter transitions. Be sure to pay attention to the quality of the transition and to your own balance and riding technique to precisely encourage the desired effect.
What this will do for your horse: Riding transitions encourages your horse to bring his hind end under and get him to carry himself in a rounder frame.
What to avoid: Pay close attention to your own riding skill. If you are heavy on the hand, this will have the adverse effect of either the horse hollowing his back and lifting his head during downward transitions, avoiding your heavy hand by coming behind the bit or developing a dull mouth. Have a light hand, ride with your seat and reward by giving in, taking off the pressure. Do not rush, but rather stay in a relaxed, forward tempo and pay close attention to a steady rhythm.

c) Lateral exercises

Lateral exercises strengthen and stretch muscles that are usually underexercised and help the horse develop balance, coordination and a round frame.
However, lateral exercises must be approached with patience. It takes years for a horse to get to the point of perfection, where lateral exercises can be performed with the ease and precision we see at top international dressage shows etc.
Set realistic goals, evaluate the skill level of your horse and your own riding skills and get assistance and advice from an experienced trainer, if needed.

Start easy with Shoulder Fore and Shoulder In

Shoulder fore and shoulder in are your basic starter lateral exericses. Start practicing these exercises in hand. You will have one hand on the bridle or on the reign close to the horse’s head, the other holding your riding crop with the grip pointing towards the horse. The grip of your riding crop will simulate your leg and you will give the respective ‚leg aid‘ with your crop.
In the beginning, be satisfied with a few correct steps. Then praise and move on to something else.
Once the horse grasps the concept, he will be more than willing to give it a good try when you are mounted.
What to avoid: Do not overdo lateral movements. At first, a few steps each session suffice. When the horse grasps this and is comfortably able to perform a few steps, move on to a short side, then to a long side. One long side in each direction per exercise session is sufficient. Too much lateral moving at an early stage can sour the horse.
Note: shoulder in in the walk is actually harder for the horse than shoulder in in the trot. Due to the 2-beat nature of the trot, the horse does not feel like ‚there is a leg in the way‘, as he does in the walk. When your horse is ready for this exercise in trot, you should preferably ride it in trot.

d) Turn on the forehand

Turn on the forehand is a wonderful exercise that is quickly learned by the novice horse in one or two sessions and is tremendously helpful by stretching and exercising muscles that are otherwise underused as well as encouraging your horse to carry himself in a rounder frame.
Practice the turn on the forehand in hand first, as described above, with the riding crop as your ‚leg‘. Once the horse perfects it in hand, move on to ride this exercise.
Note: Pay attention to your own riding skill. Be sure you fully understand the aids, so that the horse can benefit from the exercise by stepping over with the hind legs and rounding his frame.
What to avoid: Do not overdo this exercise. 2 x on each side during each training session is enough. You don’t want to turn a happy volunteer into a sour recruit... Don’t underestimate the ‚boredom factor‘!

c) Gymnastic Jumping

Once your horse trots over ground poles in a coordinated and willing fashion, add a small jump to it.
Your horse will strengthen abductors and engage his abdominal muscles, which in turn will strengthen and round his back.
Gymnastic jumps can also be used in different ways on the longe and in all sorts of set ups.
Be sure to educate yourself or get the aid of an experienced trainer in order to develop a suitable and successful gymnastic jumping program for your horse.
What to avoid: Done right and appropriately, gymnastic jumping can benefit any healthy horse. However, you will need to educate yourself in order to apply the correct exercises or injury and discouragement can easily result.

This list is by no means complete, by I do hope it will encourage you to investigate further into the subject.

Remember: Training – for horse and rider – never stops! Keep it interesting and diverse, keep your horses best interest in mind and have fun with it!

Also read:.

How to warm up your horse before exercise and competition

Horse grooming 101

PLEASE NOTE
Equine Massage is NEVER a substitute for proper veterinary care. If you are in doubt about the physical condition of your horse, please consult a veterinarian.