Although there is no official “off-season” for show jumpers, the winter months are often a time chosen to regroup physically and mentally. During this break, fitness and targeted practice are imperative to maintain your horse’s fitness, enhance their skills, and ensure overall well-being. Show jumping demands much of horse and rider — staying in top condition will keep you both at the top of your game.
A solid fitness foundation and low-intensity training will enhance a horse’s endurance and help to avoid injury. Plus, an exercise program motivates horses to perform their best for their riders. Aim for six days of exercise per week.
Here, we explore six strategies to maximize your horse’s success in ensuing events.
1. Physical Conditioning & Cross-Training
-
- Maintain Fitness: Low-impact activities like hacking, trail riding, and flatwork help keep your horse in shape without the strain of jumping. These somewhat leisurely pursuits are an enjoyable change of pace for both horse and rider.
- Cross-Training: Alternative disciplines such as swimming, lunging, and dressage help your horse stay active while minimizing stress on joints. Coordination is also improved without the repetitive impact of jumping.
- Strength & Endurance Work: Exercises such as pole work and cavalletti improve your horse’s suppleness and bring variety to their usual workout. Likewise, hill work strengthens hindquarters, providing more power inside the arena.
2. Addressing Weaknesses
-
- Skill Improvement: Whether balance, precision, or pace control, off-times are the perfect times to work on weaknesses. Emphasize lateral work, transitions, and collection to improve flexibility, responsiveness, and engagement of hindquarters.
3. Horse Care & Recovery
-
- Rest & Rehabilitation: Reduced intensity is key. Give your horse time off from hard training and instead do a light workout to reduce wear and tear.
- Therapeutic Sessions: Bodywork such as massage, chiropractic adjustments, and muscle recovery therapies are essential to prevent future injuries.
4. Nutrition Adjustments
-
- Diet Modifications: With a lighter workload, your horse won’t require as many calories, so maintain a healthy weight with an adjusted diet. Weigh your horse each week to take the guesswork out of making diet adjustments. Focus on a sensible balance of calories, nutrition, and supplements to support overall health and aid in recovery.
5. Mental Conditioning
-
- Prevent Burnout: Keeping your horse engaged with new environments and low-stress activities keeps their mind occupied and prevents boredom. Stimulation from trail riding, obstacle courses, and pole work exercises will keep them sharp and ready for their next arena event.
6. Show Preparation
-
- Plan for Upcoming Events: Eye the schedule for events that align with your goals. Look ahead to make adequate time for a training and conditioning plan.
- Practice Show Scenarios: In the heat of competition, it’s reassuring to know that you’ve prepared accordingly. Practice course simulations to prepare your horse mentally and physically for events.
Train Intentionally Between Events
Winter, or any span between show jumping events, isn’t a time to let all the hard work you and your horse have committed to fall by the wayside. Make a workout plan leading up to the next event, but don’t make it too intense until the run-up to the competition. Give time for recovery. Keep your horse mentally active with low-stress activities. Enjoy the lower-intensity workouts as you continue to build your bond, then ramp it up — and ride for the ribbon.