Quick version
- After the ride: 3 to 4 carrot stretches (dynamic mobility exercises), holding each for about 5 to 6 seconds.
- During the ride: ground poles, raised on one side if you want to work one side more.
- At the start of the ride: the Equiband system for 5 to 10 minutes as a warm-up, then take it off.
- Always listen to your horse and respond to what they tell you.
Why Should I Focus on My Horse's Core?
The core muscles support the neck, back and pelvis, so they play a big part in your horse's overall comfort and performance. A strong core helps your horse carry themselves, and you, in better balance. That's why it's my go-to advice whenever a client asks what they can do between visits.
Read: How do I strengthen my horse's core with belly lifts?
What Are Dynamic Mobility Exercises for Horses?
You probably know them as "carrot stretches". You use a treat (like a carrot) to guide your horse's head into a position and hold it there: round to the left or right hip, for example, or down between the front legs into a rounded position.
It's often assumed these are stretching the neck or back. They might lengthen those muscles a little, but there isn't much strengthening going on there. What is getting stronger is the core, because your horse has to switch on and "flex" those muscles to stay balanced.
Activate Your Horse's CoreNarelle Stubbs and Hilary Clayton
An excellent book with step-by-step instructions for lots of dynamic mobility exercises. As well as core strength, these exercises help your horse's posture, self-carriage and balance.
How Do Ground Poles Help My Horse?
In-hand and ridden pole exercises are a fabulous way to level up your horse's fitness, especially strength, stamina and agility. Raise just one end of the poles and your horse has to lift those legs higher as they walk or trot over, so you can strengthen one side more than the other.
Poles also get your horse thinking and problem solving. If you've ever had a horse duck around a set of trot poles on the lunge, you'll know what I mean!
Equine FitnessJec Aristotle Ballou
A full fitness program written for horses, with a variety of exercises and routines for strength, stamina and flexibility. An invaluable resource for the weeks between bodywork sessions.
How Does the Equiband System Work?
Two elastic bands attach to a saddle pad: one around the hindquarters and one under the belly. It works on your horse's proprioception (their sense of where their body is), a bit like kinesiology tape. Your horse feels the slight tension on their hind end or belly and switches on those muscles in response, the same way you might tighten your abs or glutes while you move.
The Equiband system
Designed to help your horse's posture, balance and core strength, and it works for any discipline. I like it on for the first 5 to 10 minutes of a ride, then off.
Photo: Amazon. The link is for the regular size. There's also an oversize and a western version.
How Do I Fit These Into My Horse's Routine?
Here's what I do. Always listen to your horse and respond to their cues; this is a starting point, not a rulebook.
At the start of the ride: the Equiband
Use it for the first 5 to 10 minutes as part of your warm-up, then take it off. It really gets your horse's core switched on.
During the ride: poles
Sprinkle ground or ridden polework through each ride. Trotting over raised poles, or a lunging warm-up on varied ground like a hill, is ideal.
After the ride: carrot stretches
I save these for after the ride and rotate through 3 to 4 exercises, holding each for about 5 to 6 seconds.
Want more ideas? Everything I use and recommend is in the tools I use.
Bodywork supports your horse's wellbeing alongside veterinary care. It is not a substitute for it. If your horse is lame, unwell or recovering from injury, please check with your vet first.
Want homework made for your horse?
Every session ends with a detailed session report and individualized homework, so you know exactly which exercises to do and how often.
