Spring Conditioning

We welcome the sudden transition from winter to spring and are excited to start regular riding or driving again. Unless you have access to indoor facilities most horse owners have not been able to ride or exercise their horses as much as they would like during the winter months.

A horse that hasn’t seen much exercise over the winter can be just as enthusiastic about heading out on that first ride as we are. Be sure to take it easy. If a horse is allowed to go at it to strenuously before they are conditions and their muscles are loosened they can easily become stiff and sore.

The best way to start is slow. Experts suggest your first ride after lengthy winter break should consist of 15 minutes of walking. I know what you are thinking; yeah right a Morgan who hasn’t been out all winter is going settle for just walking. Been there done that. Here is an idea my husband and I tried this spring. We had holidayed in Hawaii and gained a few pounds, interestingly so did our horses. So as a health benefit to our horses and ourselves we scheduled at 20 min walk every evening for the month of April. Gaging from the amount licking and chewing activity our horses enjoyed their outing and so did we.

You may find that you need to create a schedule to keep your reconditioning on track. After 5-7 days of the walking routine add in 5 minutes of trot work each day. After two weeks of solid walk-trot work you can gradually introduce the canter, again working up slowly from 5 minutes just as you did the trot. After a month of this type of conditioning you horse should be ready for more strenuous activity.

Spring into your exercise program for both you and your equine partners and enjoy the health benefits.