Conditioning the Sport Horse

Equestrians know that it takes months to prepare for a competition. Whether that preparation is spent in the saddle or at the gym, it takes dedication and commitment both physically and mentally to be ready to compete. Likewise, our equine partners need to be touched up here and there to be show-ready. Even if your horse is in steady work and is fit enough to jump around at home, you need to ensure that he can handle a week (or more) of classes, and also know when to draw the line and protect your horse from overwork.

At a typical hunter/jumper show, your horse might go in anywhere from one to four or more classes a day, depending on the duration of the event and the difficulty of the classes. Three flat classes and a 3' hunter course are not equal to four 3'6" jumper classes with jump-offs in a day; you have to realize what you are asking your horse and factor in his fitness and natural ability to perform the task at hand. During a week-long show, one or two classes a day are a good rule of thumb for any horse, although more or less may be sufficient depending on what the level the horse is performing at.

The show hunter should be fit enough to maintain his ideal form and carriage throughout the show you wish to attend. It's a horrible feeling to canter down the first line in a pivotal division-ending class late in the week and realize that your mount has reached the end of his rope and likely won't finish up with the same ribbon-winning brilliance he started the week with. It seems that many hunters are plump and under-worked, getting perhaps a light hack each day and a jump school now and then. Overwork is never the answer, but hunters are athletes, and should be treated as such, with workouts geared not only towards schooling and training, but towards building fitness and stamina, which in turn supports the horse's natural form. A horse with the endurance to canter around a Regular Working Hunter course a few times will not have to worry about tiring, and can instead channel his energy towards lifting those knees high above the rails and ensuring that his hind end follows suit rather than draping lazily over the back of an oxer.

Even more important is the fitness of jumpers, who must rely on quick reflexes, explosive muscle action, and tidy form to make it around big, technical courses. Jumpers need a more intensive form of conditioning, one geared toward quick bursts of speed and endurance to maintain a swift pace. Additionally, they must be able to deliver powerful bursts of energy on takeoff to carry themselves safely over jumps; even if a horse is comfortable at a given level, if he is overly tired he won't be as springy on takeoff and risks pulling rails.

Any show horse should be fit enough to perform beyond their abilities at a show. Even if they are entering a new division or competing at a championship height, they should be conditioned properly so that they have the endurance and reserves to do what is asked of them. For a new height, this is especially important, as a horse with enough energy and muscle to complete a course can focus on the task at hand rather than his flagging stamina or labored breathing. Not to say that every course should be easy, but it simply isn't fair to campaign a horse who has been in light work in the weeks leading up to the show.

Every horse is different and requires its own training regimen, but a simply trotting and cantering schedule, mixed with regular schooling and occasional jumping can give your horse the conditioning to perform at his peak at shows. Speak with your trainer to determine the best way to build up your horse's endurance and muscle performance. This may be as simple as cantering ten extra minutes each day or doing extra collected trot to enhance balance and strength. Be sure not to overtax your horse; going from light hacks to intense works will only tire your horse out before a show. Any conditioning schedule needs to be planned out a few months in advance, and undertaken consistently to acheive the desired results. The week before a show, the horse should wind down gradually to a light tune-up hack the day before, so that he is fit and rested enough to perform the task ahead.