None ridden winter suggestions

[GinaGeo]

With the dark nights making hacking impossible. And frozen schools making schooling hard.

Thought it might be useful to brainstorm activities that we can do with our horses that aren’t ridden and don’t require facilities.

This is extra useful for me, as often have a small child in tow. So often need non riding activities smanyway. So extra points for activities that can be safely done with child strapped to back

Tonight, mine did some in hand flexions in the stable. Didn’t even have to take rugs off. Just pop a bridle on.

And they did some standing on balance pads. I’m quite new to these. So just playing really, but following physio advice.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I started this thread last week, some good suggestions…

Bad weather incoming…ideas for exercise?

Just thought I’d start a thread for ideas to keep horses exercised/active in bad weather… We are due another dump of snow at the weekend and icy conditions for the next week. Our arena usually freezes when it’s a few degrees below zero, YO does harrow it but it’s still quite hard so I’m not...

forums.horseandhound.co.uk

And this looks good fun too, someone suggested it https://my.operationdreamhorse.com/pp7-no-matter-the-weather
No arena needed!!

This week I’ve been doing stretches and core stability exercises in the stable for my horse who has some pelvic issues, we did in hand poles/raised poles too when the arena has been too frozen to use x

 

[GinaGeo]

I missed that one

Thank you

 

[Pinkvboots]

Lateral work in hand it can all be taught easily from the ground.

 

[Cloball]

Great idea

 

[Landcruiser]

Have a look at "Slow walk work" group on FB. There is a free resource to get you started. I only just started it myself and have only done one in-hand session so far, but it was beautifully positive so will be carrying on.

 

[daffy44]

If your on instagram, Kelly de Geus has lots of groundwork exercises.

 

[sbloom]

Have a look at "Slow walk work" group on FB. There is a free resource to get you started. I only just started it myself and have only done one in-hand session so far, but it was beautifully positive so will be carrying on.

Yep, Diana Waters has a fabulous approach. I'd add a few more, all of which will be focused on correct posture and movement, and not progressing competitive dressage per se.

Amy Skinner Horsemanship
Patrick King Horsemanship
Annie Dillon Horsemanship
Anything Legerete focused in the UK
Science of Motion
equitopiacenter.com may have some good stuff, as does Yasmin Stuart and VetPhyle.

Then horse agility and in hand Trec, plus what used to be Intrinzen though can't remember what it's called now.

 

[ThreeFurs]

There's also lots of groundwork exercises in Jec Ballou's book 'Equine Fitness'. At the back of the book all the exercises are repeated with diagrams on perforated pages so you can tear them out, laminate whatever, and keep in your pocket so you can combine them in different orders so workouts don't get dull.