Every horse is individual and needs individual training and management programs, but it is of the utmost importance to start with a sound horse that has good conformation and an ability to do the job you require.

When talking of longevity, it’s most important to remember that a good competition horse takes many years to achieve a high level of competence.

In the early stages, thinking ahead to five years down the track can be a fleeting thought, but it should be a serious consideration. You must always look to the big picture. The care to train for a mentally and physically sound horse for tomorrow should always be a priority. The two go hand in hand.

Every rider has varying degrees of aspiration and, as a consequence, has to think logically and unemotionally about their goal. What discipline? The Olympics or adult riding? Pony Club or trail riding? No matter what the level you require, there are basic guidelines that you should always look to.

Too often we think of a horse as a means to an end. Put your horse in a human’s body and mind. Now look at him like you are going to make that human, your child, into an athlete. You may well chuckle right now! The rugby-playing diesel that is brave and chilled is not going to cut it as a sharp ballet dancer. The child that’s anxious and lacks self-confidence, has bow legs and a poor back isn’t one that you would push into gymnastics for top level and longevity, regardless if they have a great smile and figure.

Genetics will play a big part in longevity. Look to the parentage as a guide towards soundness. Dressage stallion Sandro Hit, for instance, is renowned for producing sound, good-limbed horses as a rule. Look to straight legs and good feet. Symmetry and a naturally well-balanced and muscled type for the job is a good start.

QUALITY TIME

Now for the most important things when you start to train your chosen horse for your job. Number one, always make sure that you have time to ride. This is essential. If you don’t have the time on a particular day, a day off is better than a bad day’s training. Trying to get your work done in a short time is always a disaster! From experience, you know that if you are in a hurry it will all turn to custard, and it is these days when you take shortcuts in warm-up and cool-downs that injuries happen. That injury could be career-ending simply because you were in a hurry and took a shortcut.

Lungeing certainly has its benefits but I believe that sometimes it is fraught with dangers. Whirling around on the lunge, with no gear to aid in balance and form, wears joints out. The shearing of the joint surfaces, due to small circles at speed while unbalanced, is a sure way to reduce the soundness. If you are going to lunge or feel the need to, a walker is probably better. If not available, then the lunge work must be in control with plenty of walk and steady trot. If your horse wants to run away on the lunge, stop and proceed slowly. Do not go jamming side reins on and gear that is suddenly introduced, as this can result in horrendous accidents and even death! Horses tip over on the lunge — and we need not think of the consequences here.

It’s in the early stages of training when the horse is young and exuberant that he needs the most correct schooling. This is a time when habits good and bad are formed and a time when horses are most prone to injury. It’s always good to give your horse time out in a yard or small paddock every day where he has room to move but not too much room to gain speed and do crazy stuff. Keep a routine as to the time he spends out and, in doing so, that he doesn’t get excited by changes of environment and routine until good basic balance and control are established.

BALANCE

Under saddle, there is one criteria that’s more important than any other, just as it is with a human athlete, and that is balance. If a horse is made to move when he is not balanced, he will be more prone to injury and wear and tear that will reduce his working life. Balance comes from core stability. This core stability allows the horse to use his back in a good way to carry a rider with confidence and strength.

A training day should always commence with a relaxed and stretching start to allow the horse to expand low, round and deep with the poll below the wither in a light seat, to permit the abdominal muscle to turn on and raise the back. If the horse is excitable and wants to work early and not relax and stretch, then there is no reason not to start with the horse in a round and deep and collected frame where the rider can have better control and feeling of a balanced horse that follows both reins and stays on a good line. When he is honest and mentally ready, then stretching longer and round is the way to go.

In the warm-up phase it’s important to ride equally on the left and right directions and not to ride small circles and deep corners. After a good warm-up, and once the horse is honest to the contact with the aids to go forward and back and turn on long flowing lines, then your training towards the higher degree of collection and control begins.

It is important to add here that surfaces play a huge part in the longevity of any horse, just as it is with humans. The surface should have some give, not be too deep and not hard. Of course, the angles of the foot to the pastern and fetlock too must be great, with attention to good shoeing to keep the balance of the limb to the best possible way.

THROUGHNESS

It cannot be stressed enough that deep and round, and core stability and use of the back to swing through from back to the front, is the most important factor of any training and produces a horse that becomes fit, strong and able to work. This ‘throughness’, as it’s known, is one of the most positive and essential parts of the training of every horse, no matter what the discipline or age or level.

It cannot be stressed enough that the core stability and confidence through this riding allow the horse to use his body to move the legs — not using the legs to move the body — and will ensure the best chance to keep a sound and happy horse for the years it takes to get to the top. When a horse is hollow and not over the back, it stresses the entire tendons and ligaments of his lower legs to support his body. To expect the tendons and ligaments to solely support the unbalanced horse is a precursor to injury and impediment to longevity!

Once the warm-up and the throughness are organised, take a walk break and then start the real progressive training. This always depends on the level you are at and is progressive and in keeping with the Training Scale and trajectory you are on. Never sustain a single frame for too long as the horse will become uncomfortable and show resistance. Always keep the balance and that feeling of correct poise. As long as the equilibrium and the straightness are always maintained, the progression will be easy. Of course, it’s always good to bring the horse’s frame up as you progress, as long the topline always remains plump and not hollow. If you don’t ensure the latter, you run the risk of straining joints and ligaments because they then have to do the holding power and are vulnerable to strain.

Just as there is a warm-up there must always be the cool-down phase, where again the relaxation of the body and mind is essential. Stretching the topline longitudinal and also on circles increases the lateral submission and suppleness. A good, relaxed walk at the end of work is always a sure sign of confidence and mental stability; even better is a walk away from the arena where the horse can enjoy the surroundings and cool down.

Here are some extra hints and ideas that can be incorporated to aid in keeping a sound and happy horse for the long term:

• Protective boots and bandages to protect against bumps and knocks that could injure tendons and ligaments. They are not really supportive but protective.
• Ice as a precaution to keep joint inflammation at bay. Use after work and for 20 minutes only. Lower limbs and even hocks, knees and the back/sacroiliac area can be iced.
• Regular physio to keep a check on muscle development, soundness and strength.
• Feeding and additives to help with general well-being, healthy limbs, joints and mind.
• Six-monthly trot-ups at the vet with constant attention to joints and changes of shape, swelling or heat, that have been monitored daily.
• Vary the work sessions and environment and never maintain a frame and exercise for too long.
• Always reward with praise and relaxed breaks. It’s always about positive reinforcement and quality, not quantity.
• Love to ride your horse and always listen to him. If he doesn’t want to try, work out why. Yesterday’s work too hard? Muscle soreness or mental fatigue? Analyse first and act accordingly. Get to know your horse and the reasons behind his attitude. Always be patient and consistent.
• Above all, find a coach that you get on with and who has a good eye, great experience and respect for you and your horse.

Lastly, athletes train hard and stay fit all year round. To give horses long breaks when they are fit and healthy is senseless. The muscle and topline fade and your horse loses fitness and then you have to waste precious time getting the fitness level back to where you can continue. Never let your horse get bored and make his work sessions appropriate to his feelings, fitness and level of expertise. It not always hard days on the flat or jumping. Remember that easy days follow harder ones, so vary workloads so that the horse doesn’t ever feel fatigued or struggles to perform. This will create negativity towards trying hard.

As they say, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Always think of your horse’s reaction first and then train him accordingly. Do not force things, take your time and enjoy the ride.

This article first appeared in Equestrian Life, March/April 2020. EQ

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