02/23/2025
It has been a very long winter here in Central PA—and in many parts of the country! We are still battle ice but hopefully the temperatures this week take care of all of that. As you look to recondition and leg you horse up for spring and summer be mindful of the work it takes.
Long rides with a horse dripping in sweat is not conditioning.
Short, consistent work is more beneficial than long rides.
Long, intense work after time off increases the risk of injuries.
When a horse has had 3+ months off, it is considered completely de-trained from a conditioning standpoint. The re-conditioning process should follow a 1:1 ratio with the number of weeks spent progressively conditioning equal to the number of weeks taken off.
The challenge here is that, depending how we go about the conditioning, we sometimes create a turbo charged engine on a weak frame. If we over-prioritize metabolic gains over strength development, the fitness journey takes many detours. In this early season, each horse requires a unique balance of stability, strength, and cardio. If you're feeling a little lost and need help, my 10-Week Horse Fitness Schedule leads you through a day-by-day buildup.
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