Small Daily Wins That Transform Your Horse’s Strength...(even through winter!)

Winter can make everything feel harder — the weather, the dark evenings, the mud, the lack of time.
And for many horse owners, this leads to one thing: giving up until spring.

But winter isn’t a season to pause your horse’s progress.
It’s a season to step back, simplify, and build strength in small, meaningful ways.

You don’t need long sessions, good weather, or perfect footing.
Short, thoughtful moments — even just a few minutes a day — can keep your horse’s body flexible, strong, and confident right through winter.

I learned this with Azuro after his kissing spine rehab. Some days the weather meant riding wasn’t an option, but gentle in-hand work, short walks, and simple core-focused exercises kept him progressing. It allowed me to notice where he was stiff, weak, or bracing — and help him move better from the ground, without the weight and restriction of a saddle (and me!).

These small daily wins stack up, and winter is the perfect time to use them.

Why small daily wins matter even more in winter

Winter training doesn’t need to be big or flashy.
Your horse benefits from:

🌟 1. Consistency over intensity

Short sessions fit around daylight, weather, and time pressures — and horses respond brilliantly to this kind of rhythm.

🌟 2. Strength without relying on ridden work

Groundwork, polework in-hand, backing steps, lateral steps — all build strength without adding rider weight.

🌟 3. Mobility that keeps stiffness at bay

Cold weather = tighter muscles.
Micro-movements like in-hand poles, gentle circles, or a hand-walk make a huge difference.

🌟 4. Body awareness and confidence

Winter is the BEST time to help your horse learn how to move well on their own body, without rushing or overloading.

Small daily wins you can start this week

👉 Walk over or around poles in-hand

Just a few minutes improve lift, coordination, and body awareness — ideal for days when you can’t ride.

👉 Lateral steps or backing steps

These switch on the core, mobilise the spine, and help horses with flexibility and posture.

👉 Short hand-walks (ideal for stabled or limited-turnout horses)

Even 10–20 minutes can loosen the back, warm the muscles, and keep the whole body moving.

👉 Slowing down and observing your horse

In winter, tension shows up quickly.
Notice where they resist, brace, or lean — these little clues guide your training more than you think.

How to make winter training work for you

• Keep sessions short + realistic

• Skip “perfect” — aim for consistent

• Focus on quality of movement, not quantity

• Adjust around weather, footing, and daylight

• Use groundwork on no-ride days

• Don’t be afraid to step back and work on the foundations of your horses strength and movement

Winter doesn’t have to be a backwards step.
With small daily wins, it becomes a season of quiet improvement and stronger foundations.

Want help building your winter plan?

Here are the courses that fit perfectly with this approach:

🌟 Core Exercises for Your Horse – stable based exercises Click Here

Your foundational winter strength programme.
Simple, safe, effective exercises ideal for cold-weather training.

🌟 In-Hand Exercises Course – set up effective 20 minute sessions Click Here

A full step-by-step system that teaches lateral work, balance, and straightness on the ground — ideal for winter or non-ridden days.

🌟 Winter Exercise Bundle – adaptable exercises Click Here

Polework + lunging courses that give you structure, variety, and confidence in your winter routine.

These small daily wins REALLY do transform your horse...

and winter is the perfect time to start!