How to Keep Your Horse in Shape When You Can't Ride.

The winter has rolled in with freezing force this year and that means hard ground, snow covered arenas, and ice on the road. If you're fighting the winter blues because you can't ride your horse -- I'm about to share my favorite in-hand winter exercises you can try with your horse to improve your riding and keep your horse strong. So bundle up and grab your halter!

In-hand work? It's like Pilates for horses!

WHY is in-hand work so important? If you have been my student for any length of time, you've probably heard my short monologue on why I think in-hand work is incredibly important for riding progression. Not only does it improve communication, but it builds a better understanding for the rider on HOW their horse moves, and how their equine partners learn. I myself have learned through experience in rehabilitating and conditioning horses that though it may seem like small potatoes to the untrained eye -- in-hand exercises are a must-have for any horseperson to keep in their toolkit, especially if their serious about a life with horses.

Core stability, strength and suppleness are as important to horses as they are to riders. Maintaining stability, posture, and balance contributes to more effective training and improved performance. Additionally, strength and suppleness can reduce the risk of injury. A horse with good core muscles, has good posture and a strong back which can better carry the weight of the rider. Included in these are the deep internal muscles of the abdomen, pelvis, thoracic sling, back, and the more superficial muscles of the trunk.

Today I will be explaining simple exercises to lift, supple, and flex the back. Everything listed here today can, and should, be done at the walk and in-hand and with a good warm up. These are perfect for horses that are out of shape, in shape, cannot be ridden, older and younger.

Note: Please consult your veterinarian before attempting these exercises if your horse has a serious injury, or is recovering from a serious injury.

WARM-UP | GET THE JOINTS MOVING

10 minute walk around both directions with backing-up and free-forward lateral focused circles. (Pro tip: a good time to practice vocal commands to your horse too, like 'woah' and 'walk on' while warming up).

As with riding, and especially when it's cold, we give our horses plenty of time to warm-up. Let's have a think about our warm-up routines; we all know that the walk is an essential part of preparing to work a horse in order to avoid soundness issues; but why?

Do you know that it's not only the soft tissues that needs time to warm up but also the synovial (joint) fluid within all your horses main concussive joints. When cold the synovial fluid resembles a thick gel or paste, and it needs time to warm up in order to become more fluid and function correctly as a lubricant and allow the joints to function correctly & without damage.

WARM UP | #1: Back it up!

Collection in reverse. Good for mobilizing the lumbosacral joint & muscles, as well as stimulating the sacroiliac region.

HOW TO:

1. Walk your horse forward into a positive marching walk in an area that they won't bump into anything .

2. Pause and apply gentle pressure to your horses chest and halter to encourage them to step back. Practice a slight release from the gentle pressure as soon as the horse responds and moves back -- the slight release from pressure will tell them they have done well. As your horse becomes more practiced, they will require less pressure.

3. Keep their head as low as possible to encourage the back to lift and the core to engage. If your horse tends to hollow their back and lift their head, use a carrot to encourage them to stretch down and back as they step.

4. AVIOD rushing your horse into short & hollow steps.

5. Back up at minimum 10 steps to allow the horse to get into a good rhythm.

WARM UP | #2 Circles with a purpose

Remember to circle evenly both directions. Encourages suppleness and strengthens haunches and relaxation through the back.

HOW TO:

1. Stand facing your horse at his girth area. You will need to stay just behind this area during this exercise to drive your horse forward. One may notice their horse will stop moving if they stand in front of the girth line, so be aware of your position.

2. Ask your horse to walk a small circle around you as you gently bend his head to the inside to encourage him to step across under his body with his inside hindleg. A common mistake is to allow your horse to pivot on the spot. To help avoid this focus on your horse’s front legs, and keep him walking forwards on a small circle. You need to stand still and let your horse walk around you.

3. Repeat this three or four times in both directions

Reminder: Body language and the energy you put out to your horse is immensely important and will straight away impact your communication, like electricity down a wire. Our horses are a direct reflection of how we feel inside, so if you are feeling unsure of yourself and nervous -- your horse will feel unsure about being around you and nervous. You are their leader! Practice using your breath to show calm, focused confidence and your horse will follow your lead.

EXERCISES | WHY THE WALK?

The walk is the most engaging gait of the horse. Completely unique to walk is that there is no moment of suspension -- there is always at least one hoof on the ground at any point in time. What this means is that you can't improve your horses walk by cheating and simply adding more energy; the quality of the gait has to be built on foundations of flexibility and range of motion within the hip-joint, pelvis and back (as well as a free & unrestricted shoulder). This gait involves more range of motion in the spine of the horse than any other gait and requires more flexion of the joints than trotting.

Starting any exercise "in-hand" is always a good option as it allows the horse to figure out the question and work out how to successfully navigate obstacles without any interference of the rider.

EXERCISE | #1 RAISED POLES

Now that your horse is well warmed up, let's jump into our first exercise; walking over raised poles.

HOW TO:

1. Place four to five poles on the ground spaced evenly 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet apart.

2. Walk your horse confidently and carefully through the middle of the poles to allow him to get into a rhythm before raising them. Remember to keep your eyes up and stand tall as you would when riding.

3. Gradually raise the poles until they are around knee height using jump standards or cavalletti blocks. Be aware that as you raise the height of the poles you may need to "shorten" the distance between them. If you can step over them, so can your horse.

4. Encourage the horse to lower his head to look at the pole.

5. Perform on a daily basis to see the best results. Increase the number of passes through the poles gradually over a few practices.

This exercise can be performed under saddle too.

If you do want to progress to riding I would suggest you walk over the poles on a loose rein allowing the horse to lower his head, don't be tempted to rush the horse, sit quietly and allow them to find their own way through.

EXERCISE | #2 THE MAZE

Encourages flexion, extension, and bending through the body.

HOW TO:

1. Using six poles, set up a maze (see above). Walk through the maze in a forward, balanced walk.

2. Encourage your horse to step under and over with the leg that is on the inside of the turn by guiding their head around the turn and maintaining a free flowing walk as they turn.

3. Avoid pivoting your horse around the turns. This can cause the shoulders and back to tense up, restricting movement and muscle.

This exercise can be performed under saddle too. As you turn each corner, open and guide your inside hand to encourage your horse to bend through his body in the direction he’s travelling. In the same motion, place your inside leg behind the girth, encouraging him to step under and cross over with his hindlegs.

FINISH UP | STRETCHING

Last, but certainly not least, is the importance of stretching. Just like human athletes stretch before, during, and after exercise our equine partners benefit from stretching too. Using these movements can help your horse to recover from exercise more quickly, and prepare them for movement through these exercises for better performance.

Stretching decreases the likelihood of muscle cramps from the build up of lactic acid that is produced in our muscles when exercising -- thus less stiff or sore horses. In cold weather horses, much like humans, are more tense as their body conserves heat. Stretching before working in the cold can encourage your horse to relax and therefore create suppleness during exercise.

Here are images and descriptions of common in-hand stretches:

Hungry for more knowledge? View this article by Gillian Higgins on the relation of your horses anatomy and how it impacts their performance: LINK HERE

Happy trails Walla Walla Pony Club!

-- Instructor Alanna

Sources: Kublox.co.uk, horsesinsideout.com, Equestrian Life Magazine