Posted 2015-01-22 3:35 PM Subject: Anyone have some good drills, exercises, etc to get horse in good shape after winter?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 442
Hi, I have been riding my mare for the last 5 weeks getting her back in shape before the winter races. I was just wondering if any one had any tips or exercises that would help her get in the best shape so she is ready to run. She is 15 this year and I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep her in good shape to avoid any injuries. Any ways to build her topline and strengthen her hind end? I love learning new drills! Thanks!
Posted 2015-01-22 4:15 PM Subject: RE: Anyone have some good drills, exercises, etc to get horse in good shape after winter?
Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651 Location: Alberta
The book 101 Arena Exercises by Cherry Hill is a great resource! While I have a English background so it interests me I also put up obstacles cone, poles etc when I can to work my horses around.
Posted 2015-01-23 7:49 AM Subject: RE: Anyone have some good drills, exercises, etc to get horse in good shape after winter?
Expert
Posts: 1611
If she's 15 I'd be ponying her at a trot and lope. Walk to warm up and cool down. Might breeze her out once every two weeks and find you a hill for under saddle work. On an aged open horse I wouldn't be doing any drills or exercises unless they had a problem or was one that required tuning to run a time. Doing drills or exercises can just cause problems if you don't understand what the drill is trying to accomplish. You can frustrate your horse and yourself in the process. Plus those hard moves and stops will take a toll and your conditioning routine does the opposite of what you wanted: it'll just make her more sore for your runs.
Posted 2015-01-23 5:55 PM Subject: RE: Anyone have some good drills, exercises, etc to get horse in good shape after winter?
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981 Location: North Dakota
Mine has had the last 4ish months off. I am just starting to get him in shape again. I started with lunging him in a Chambon, then just getting on and walking for about 10 minutes. I'm alternating lunge sessions in the Chambon and riding, slowly building up the time and intensity-especially long trotting. I also like to use poles and I have a western dressage exercise book so I plan to work on some exercises from that.
Anyone have some good drills, exercises, etc to get horse in good shape after winter?
