05/08/2025
Some great tips for float training if your horse struggles getting on and off
Float Training – Balance – Activation of the Hind
Does your horse walk halfway into the float and then suddenly stop, just before the hind feet reach the ramp?
This is often related to the horse lacking full-body awareness. They consciously place their front feet but aren’t truly aware of where their hindquarters are. The hind end kind of just ‘tags along’— or perhaps they remember struggling with balance during float travel in the past.
Targeted exercises can help improve your horse’s body awareness, which in turn increases balance. This is not only important for float travel but also for your horse’s overall performance and well-being.
This article focuses on developing muscular balance, enabling your horse to remain steady and comfortable while the float is moving.
But First: The Basics
Keep in mind that a float is a confined space with no obvious exit, which can trigger your horse’s natural flight response. Before doing float-specific exercises, it’s important to first build confidence and trust outside the float.
A great place to start is by creating a narrow passage between a fence and a row of barrels. Lead your horse through the passage slowly (you are standing outside the passage). Start with a wider space, then gradually narrow it. Teach your horse to move through it calmly, step by step, and eventually to stop and stand in the middle—perhaps while being brushed for a few minutes.
Exercises to Improve Muscular Balance
Here are some ideas to help your horse become more aware of its hind end and build better balance:
Leg Awareness:
Stand next to your horse and gently tap one leg to encourage them to move just that leg, and just one step. Be patient and reward any try. Repeat this with each leg—first stepping forward, then backward, and eventually sideways.
This improves both communication and trust and teaches your horse to place each foot with intention.
Step Over a Log:
Ask your horse to take one step over a log. Practice moving forward, standing with the log between the front and hind feet, stepping backward, and moving sideways with the front and back feet on different sides of the log.
Controlled Narrow Spaces:
Use barrels or a portable yard to create a narrow but open-ended pathway. Ask your horse to walk in slowly, step by step, then stop and rest in the middle. Once comfortable, close off the exit and repeat the process. Eventually, ask your horse to back out, slowly and calmly.
Trail Training:
Go on trail rides over varying terrain—uphill, downhill, soft, hard, and uneven surfaces. Let your horse walk over tree branches, puddles, or steep inclines instead of going around them. This helps develop a wide range of muscles, strengthens tendons and ligaments, and improves balance.
TheraBand Training:
Using a TheraBand across the hindquarters—whether in-hand or under saddle—can help your horse become more aware of their hind end and naturally engage their core. Studies have shown that these exercises can reduce spinal rotation and improve stability.
Seesaw Exercise:
Start by having your horse walk over soft, giving ground—like a mattress without springs—to prepare for seesaw work.
Then, build a seesaw large enough to allow for a slight sidestep. Begin with some support under the ends so the movement is minimal. As your horse becomes comfortable with the shifting surface, reduce the support until the seesaw can fully tilt as their weight shifts from one side to the other.
These exercises are not only helpful for float confidence—they can also deepen the bond between you and your horse, build trust, and promote physical balance and self-assurance.
As always, take your time. Move in small steps and never ask more than your horse is physically or mentally ready to give. And most importantly—do it with friends! It’s more fun, and you can support each other along the way 😊
🔗 www.sonovettherapy.com.au
Visit our page for more articles, tips & ideas!
