Equestrian Advice - How to correctly train horses - By: Tammy Patterson

Horses are natural athletes and capable of great speed, scope over obstacles and stamina. However it is important that a horse is fully prepared for the work it is expected to do. If a horse does not have the level of fitness and training necessary for the discipline it is competing in you will find that they have abnormal physiological responses including greatly increased heart rate. They may show stiffness or injury which can cause lameness and they will almost always have poor performance. By taking a horse to a competition when they have not been prepared and fattened appropriately you are putting both the horse and rider at great risk. Regularly you see even the fittest of horses get tired and make mistakes towards the end of a cross country course; imagine the damage that could be caused by a horse that is not fit enough or underprepared.

Before looking at a training or fitness plan for your horse it is important to consider what you are trying to achieve with them. A dressage horse for example will need to use different muscles to an endurance horse and will need a very different training plan.

Successful training depends on progressive loading. The volume and intensity of the work should be increased gradually in initial stages, in latter stages intensity should be increased while volume decreases.

The first type of training is long distance slow work; this includes walking for long periods with increasing amounts of trot. For a young or previously untrained horse this can take 3 – 12 months depending on the goal. An older horse being brought back into work should have at least 6 – 9 weeks. This stage is crucial for the whole body fitness especially strengthening of the musculoskeletal system.

The next stage of intensity is strength conditioning work. The horse should be able to canter or gallop for up to 1.5 miles before moving on to the third stage. This second stage should include technical training such as jumping or schooling. Hill work is a good way of strengthening. Uphill work increases fitness and strength through the hindquarters. Downhill work will strengthen the forelimb and pectoral muscles. Even though you have stepped up a gear it is important to remember the long distance work in between strength work.

The final stage of training is anaerobic fast work. This is necessary for horses competing in sports such as eventing, racing etc. The most effective way of increasing power and speed is by galloping. Depending on the temperament of the horse this can be done by continuous galloping or interval training.

About the Author

Tammy is a passionate equine rider who wishes to promote the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in horse rugs as well as net-tex equine wear, pippa funnell range and riding jodhpurs in the UK. For more info, read our horse articles

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