Horse Care and Exercise

Horse Fitness and Conditioning Program
I've been riding horses close to ten years and owned two of my own.

I believe that exercise strongly benefits each and every horse, giving them sleek, strong muscles and ensuring a functioning physical, mental and emotional system.

Having a horse in a consistent conditioning program can keep your pleasure horse ready to go when you need him or I can help you prepare for that long trail trip you want to do. We would never expect ourselves to do 3 hour hikes without being in shape and so it is unreasonable to expect such things from a horse.

I will work with you to create an exercise program that makes your horse a steady companion and allows him to thrive with the work you'd like to do.

Exercise programs range from working on hills, uneven ground, cavalletti, practicing turns, and much more.

Your horse will benefit from the variety I an provide, keeping him mentally stimulated for your adventures.

Depending on your needs, I can work him up to an event or help him maintain year round. I also do vacation exercising if for any reason you're leaving town and want him to get out of his paddock.

Gallop time

Does your horse need to kick up his heels? Would you like to have a pleasant calm ride, knowing your horse got out his bucks and farts beforehand?

Let me get your horse into some nice open space and let him blow it off.

Vets I work with recommend a 10-20 minute gallop 3 times per week.

I will play with your horse, encouraging every spook, bolt and leap he can muster. Your horse will be much calmer after releasing energy, adding to an enjoyable ride afterwards.

Grooming

• Flyspray
• Hoofpicking
• Rounding off hoof chips and cracks between farrier appointments
• Removing loose/dead frog material
• Strong currying and brushing
• Hot ragging - a practice originally from England to stimulate the oils to come back the coat. Hot towels are rubbed vigorously on the horse to cause circulation to the skin and pick up dirt.  Optional conditioner can be added into the rub
• Fly treatment/gooping for sores -The sheath and udders of horses often need protection. Let's protect your horse with the product of your choice (often a thick ointment or MTG) while keeping your hands clean
• Bathing
• Leg massaging - Particularly helpful if your horse is bad with the farrier. By having a positive experience, your horse can start to associate hoof handling with rubbing
• Fecal testing - picking the poo for a fecal test and delivering to a vet along my routes