6 week equine fitness program
- maxine cooch
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
Has your horse had some time off over winter?
This program is designed to be gradual to ensure the horse develops the necessary physical and mental skills without risk of injury. Always monitor your horse closely for any signs of fatigue, discomfort, or stress. This program is most suited to horses that have been out of work through no fault of their own and is not suited to horses that have sustained an injury. If your horse has been off due to injury, please get in contact for a bespoke rehab plan.
Week 1: Foundation of Groundwork and In-Hand Work
Focus on building trust, improving the horse's flexibility, and introducing basic movements on the ground.
Day 1-3: Basic In-Hand Work & Leading Exercises
- Exercises: Leading in a straight line, halting and backing up, turning in circles at a walk, and halting on command.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes per session.
- Objective: Establish a connection, build trust, and improve responsiveness to commands.
Day 4-6: Ground Poles & Transitions
- Exercises: Walk over ground poles, work on transitions (walk/trot/walk) from the ground.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes per session.
- Objective: Improve balance, coordination, and responsiveness.
Day 7: Rest Day
- Let the horse rest and recover.
Week 2: Progressing Groundwork & Long Reining Introduction
Introduce basic long reining with some additional groundwork to enhance flexibility.
Day 8-10: Long Reining Introduction
- Exercises: Introduce the horse to long reining with the lines attached to the halter or cavesson. Start in a straight line at a walk, practicing stops, starts, and turns.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes.
- Objective: Teach the horse to move forward and respond to pressure from the long reins.
Day 11-13: Long Reining at Walk and Trot
- Exercises: Continue long reining at walk and introduce trot for short distances. Practice halts, turns, and figure eights.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes.
- Objective: Improve balance, control, and coordination.
Day 14: Rest Day
- Let the horse rest and recover.
Week 3: Strengthening and Building Stamina (Groundwork and Long Reining)
Continue to build strength and flexibility, focusing on correct form.
Day 15-17: Long Reining at Trot and Introduce Canter
- Exercises: Increase the duration and intensity of long reining at trot. Introduce a few short canter strides if the horse is physically ready.
- Duration: 30-40 minutes.
- Objective: Build stamina, strength, and responsiveness.
Day 18-20: Transitions with Long Reining & Pole Work
- Exercises: Practice walk, trot, and canter transitions on the long reins. Incorporate ground poles or small cavaletti. You can start using your saddle to help reintroduce it to your horses routine and help them become used to carrying the weight again.
- Duration: 30-40 minutes.
- Objective: Improve transition smoothness, rhythm, and balance.
Day 21: Rest Day
- Rest and recovery.
Week 4: Introduction to Ridden Work & Ridden Transitions
Transition from groundwork/long reining to ridden work gradually.
Day 22-24: Ridden Walk & Trot Transitions - can be completed in the school or out hacking
- Exercises: Start with walk and trot transitions under saddle. Keep it simple with a focus on softness, responsiveness, and correct rhythm. Add in shallow loops and serpentine's for increased suppleness.
- Duration: 30-40 minutes.
- Objective: Establish a solid connection and control at walk and trot.
Day 25-27: Continue with long reining and pole work
- Exercises: Practice walk, trot, and canter transitions on the long reins. Incorporate ground poles or small cavaletti. Incorporate surpintine's over poles and varing size of circles.
- Duration: 30-40 minutes.
- Objective: Improve the horse’s core strength and global suppleness.
Day 28: Rest Day
- Rest and recovery.
Week 5: Progression to Ridden Work with Increased Intensity
Incorporate more complex movements and lengthen ridden sessions. (can be in the school or out hacking)
Day 29-31: Trot and Canter Transitions Under Saddle
- Exercises: Practice smooth trot and canter transitions, focusing on the horse's balance and engagement.
- Duration: 40-45 minutes.
- Objective: Build strength and stamina in transitions.
Day 32-34: Long Reining & Ridden Work on Circles and Transitions
- Exercises: Long reins at a walk or trot for straight lines and circles, then transition to ridden work at walk, trot, and canter. Focus on circles and bending.
- Duration: 40-45 minutes.
- Objective: Improve balance and flexion through circles, as well as control of the transitions.
Day 35: Rest Day
- Rest and recovery.
Week 6: Advanced Ridden Work & Conditioning
Focus on strengthening and fitness building.
Day 36-38: Canter and Lateral Work
- Exercises: Start canter work with more advanced transitions, and introduce lateral movements such as leg-yield or shoulder-in at the walk and trot.
- Duration: 45 minutes.
- Objective: Develop strength and suppleness.
Day 39-41: Ridden Work with Obstacles or Cavaletti
- Exercises: Add ground poles, cavaletti, or small obstacles to the ridden work. Practice riding over poles, through cones, and focusing on straightness and balance.
- Duration: 45-50 minutes.
- Objective: Build coordination, flexibility, and strength.
Day 42: Rest Day
- Rest and recovery.
Program Notes:
- Each session should start with 5-10 minutes of walking warm-up.
- Always focus on clear communication, patience, and consistency.
- Allow the horse to cool down after each session with a 10-minute walk.
- Adjust the duration of each session according to the horse's fitness level and progress.
By the end of the 6 weeks, the horse should have developed a stronger foundation in both ground and ridden work, with improved fitness and responsiveness. Transitioning to more complex movements and longer periods of work can happen beyond this initial 6-week program.
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