Conditioning training for horses

Creating a balanced training routine for your horse that includes both conditioning and strength training is crucial for their health, performance, and overall well-being. Peder Fredricson, one of the world’s top showjumpers, shares his best tips on how to build a strong and well-trained horse through conditioning and strength exercises.

Why is conditioning training important for horses? 

Conditioning training for horses is essential not only for improving endurance but also for preventing injuries and promoting overall health. Peder emphasizes the importance of keeping your horse in good shape.

One of Peder’s go-to conditioning exercises for horses is uphill interval training. This method strengthens the horse’s heart and lungs while also building muscle. By trotting or galloping up a gentle hill about 500-700 meters long, followed by walking downhill for recovery, the horse gets an effective yet low-impact workout. The fitter a horse becomes, the faster their recovery time.

When conducting interval training, it is important to closely monitor the horse’s breathing and recovery capacity. If the horse is unfit, you should allow sufficient recovery time until their breathing returns to normal before moving on to more intense activity like trotting or galloping. This helps prevent overexertion and promotes safe, effective conditioning. Structured recovery intervals are a key part of building endurance in a safe, gradual way.

Effective conditioning exercises for horses

For those without access to hills, Peder recommends alternative exercises to improve your horse’s fitness:

• Free galloping in an indoor or outdoor arena:  Letting the horse gallop freely in short, controlled intervals helps build strength.
• Trot sessions on dirt roads:  Easy 20-minute trot sessions on dirt roads also contribute to improving your horse’s condition.
• Galloping in open fields:  Galloping in large spaces raises the horse’s heart rate and builds resilience.

If your horse is out of shape, you can start with free galloping in an arena. ”They can run as much as they feel like, so they get a bit winded,”  says Peder.

If you’re aiming to improve your horse’s conditioning, Peder advises making a plan regardless of the type of training. Here is a sample plan for free galloping:

• Start with  two minutes of galloping  followed by
• Five minutes of walking
• Repeat the two minute gallop, followed by
• Five more minutes of walking

It is important to adjust the training intensity, number of intervals, and difficulty level according to your horse’s individual capabilities. If you are unsure how to plan the training with your horse, we recommend talking to a horse trainer.

How often should you perform conditioning exercises?

Peder recommends conditioning your horse regularly, ideally once or twice a week. Maintaining a consistent training routine is more important than training too hard infrequently. You can incorporate conditioning into your everyday work by including short conditioning exercises, like riding at a higher canter pace on straight paths. Always vary the speed and avoid small circles to reduce the risk of injury. 

Strength training for horses

When it comes to strength training, Peder emphasizes that all riding involves some level of strength training since the horse is constantly working on carrying itself properly. The goal of strength training is to improve the horse’s ability to carry weight on its hind legs.

Peder often uses jumping series and bounce exercises, which train horses to push off with their hind legs. One of his preferred exercises is to jump bounces uphill. This strengthens the hind legs without putting unnecessary strain on the front legs.  

“Just make sure not to do too many repetitions. Often, the horse enjoys doing it two or three times if you are jumping a bounce,”  says Peder.

Riding on varied surfaces and terrains is another excellent form of strength training. It not only strengthens the horse’s muscles but also provides mental stimulation.  

Balancing conditioning and strength training

Finding the right balance between conditioning and strength training is essential. Peder recommends keeping the training light and varied but consistent. In general, it’s better to train frequently at a moderate pace rather than pushing for intense sessions less often. Including both conditioning and strength exercises in your schedule ensures your horse is well-rounded and prepared for various challenges. 

Recovery and rest

Recovery is just as important as the training itself. After every session, it’s crucial to assess how the horse has responded. It’s the rider’s responsibility to ensure the horse has enough time to recover, allowing it to build muscle and improve endurance without being overworked. One routine Peder follows is reviewing the condition of all his horses every Monday. He shares this “Monday routine” on Instagram, where he checks the horse’s legs, hooves, muscles and over-all condition to ensure no injuries or strain have occurred. 

Rest days do not have to mean inactivity. Peder suggests incorporating light work such as lunging, long-reining, or a relaxed walk to maintain mental and physical engagement.