A Gentle End-of-Year Reset for You and Your Horse 💖

As we head towards the end of the year, many horse owners feel a quiet tension.

The weather is unpredictable.
The days are short.
Motivation comes and goes.

And often the question becomes:
“What should I actually be doing with my horse right now?”

Winter — especially the Christmas period — doesn’t ask you to push.
But it does ask you to choose how you support your horse, rather than drifting into doing nothing or feeling guilty for not riding.

Winter doesn’t mean stopping — it means choosing how you work

For some of us, keeping our horses moving over winter is non-negotiable:

• rehab and post-injury horses,

• senior horses,

• horses building strength after time off,

• or horses who stiffen quickly without regular input.

But winter training rarely looks like summer training — and that’s where many owners get stuck.

Instead of thinking ride or don’t ride, winter works best when you think in options.

❄️ Winter option 1: When you have time… but don’t want to tack up

This is where in-hand work becomes incredibly valuable.

On days when:

• the weather is on and off,

• the arena feels heavy,

• or you simply don’t want to saddle up,

working in-hand allows you to keep your horse moving without adding weight or restriction.

In-hand work lets you focus on:

• straightness,

• posture,

• balance,

• and core strength,

all at the foundational level of the body.

Slowing everything down on the ground often reveals things we miss when riding:

• where your horse braces,

• which rein feels stiffer,

• where they struggle to organise their body.

This is exactly how I deepened my understanding of my own horse’s body during his kissing spine rehab — by stepping out of the saddle, slowing the work right down, and learning to feel where he needed support.

Winter is actually the perfect time to address these basics.

❄️ Winter option 2: When you don’t want to “train” at all

Some days, riding or formal exercise just doesn’t feel right — and that’s okay.

If you don’t want to exercise your horse in the traditional sense, you can still:

• support their body,

• help them stay comfortable,

• and spend meaningful time together.

Two powerful winter options here are:

✔ Core exercises

Short, controlled exercises that gently mobilise and engage the back and core help:

• maintain muscle tone,

• reduce stiffness,

• and support posture — even in non-ridden horses.

They’re ideal for:

• cold days,

• stabled horses,

• rehab or senior horses,

• or when daylight is limited.

✔ Massage and body awareness

Massage is another way of helping your horse through winter:

• increasing circulation,

• encouraging relaxation,

• and helping tight areas soften.

This kind of work builds trust and connection, especially during quieter months.

Winter success isn’t about intensity — it’s about intention

Instead of asking:
“Am I doing enough?”

Try asking:

• Am I supporting my horse’s body today?

• Did something feel easier afterwards?

• Did my horse relax or move more freely?

Winter rewards small, intentional input far more than sporadic big efforts.

A different way to see progress this time of year ✅

Progress in winter often looks like:

• one softer step,

• one calmer transition,

• one small release of tension.

When you slow down enough to notice these moments, you start to see just how much your horse is trying.

This mindset shift:

• strengthens your connection,

• builds your horse’s confidence,

• and lays the groundwork for stronger work later on.

If you’d like structure without pressure 🐴

If winter feels unstructured or uncertain, gentle guidance can help — not to add more to your plate, but to make things clearer.

Many owners use winter to focus on:

• Core Exercises for Your Horse ✅
  A calm, foundational programme to help your horse engage their back and core safely — ideal for short, winter-friendly sessions. And you can add on the massage course for an effective winter package for your horse. CLICK HERE

• Exercise Bundle (Polework + Lunging) ✅
  Flexible options that can be adapted to weather, energy levels, and available time. Can all be done in walk if needed. CLICK HERE

• In-Hand Exercises Course ✅
  A step-by-step system to develop straightness, posture, balance, and lateral control from the ground — perfect when riding isn’t appealing. CLICK HERE

You don’t need to do everything.
Just choose the path that fits this season of your life and your horse’s needs.

Winter isn’t a pause — it’s a reset.
And how you use it quietly shapes what comes next.