Building Strength Safely: The Step-by-Step Approach

If your horse is recovering from an injury, prone to stiffness if senior or arthritic, or just starting a conditioning journey, slow and careful strength work is the key.

Think about it like this: if you were unfit, weak, or recovering from an injury, you wouldn’t walk straight into the gym and start lifting heavy weights. The same principle applies to your horse — their body needs a gradual warm-up, activation, and gentle strength-building approach, both within each session and over time.

Why Take It Slow

• Protects vulnerable tissues and joints

• Prevents reinforcing crooked movement patterns

• Builds a solid foundation for long-term performance

• Helps your horse feel confident and comfortable during sessions

3 Simple Steps to Get Started

1. Mobilise
Warm up joints and muscles first — especially if it’s cold or your horse has been in the stable. Try:

• Walking over poles in-hand for 5 minutes

• Gentle stable-based core exercises to loosen the body

• Slow stretching and loosening movements

2. Activate
Engage the core and stabilisers with small, controlled movements:

• Lateral steps or serpentines in-hand

• Walk-halt-walk transitions

• Backing up steps to engage the hindquarters and core

3. Introduce Light Strength
Add strength without overload:

• Short trot or walk over poles

• Small, symmetrical challenges that focus on posture and core

• Always watch your horse — quality and control come first

Watch, Learn & Adjust

A key skill is observing how your horse responds. Notice:

• How their back and core engage

• Rhythm and relaxation

• Changes in posture and confidence

Use what you see to guide your next session — sometimes less really is more, especially when building a strong, injury-free foundation.

Take Your Training to the Next Level

If you want a structured, safe, and practical plan that builds long-term strength and straightness, my Strength & Straightness Programme is designed for horses of all levels:

• Step-by-step modules that follow the Mobilise → Activate → Strengthen principle

• Video demonstrations, expert guidance, and in-hand options

• Perfect for horses recovering from injuries, dealing with stiffness, or needing a confident, consistent routine

CLICK HERE for Strength & Straightness programme details.

You can also start with the foundation courses (both are included in the Strength & Straightness programme):

• Core Exercises for Your Horse — build posture, stability, and balance

• In-Hand Exercises — low-impact strength and body awareness