Exercising the horse in winter

Exercising the horse in winter! I really need help. My horse loses muscle easily and needs to move so she doesn't get stiff, but in winter it isn't always possible to ride. She has both snow pads and studs so it's fine when it's frozen, but when it gets slushy our paddocks turn into swimming pools 😭 and hacking out is hard because we're a small yard and there aren't many of us who can hack out (I'm not allowed to hack out on my own). Have you got any good tips on how to keep going over winter? Walking in hand works but I'd love some variety.

Answers from HayHay's experts

Do you have a hill nearby that you can walk the horse to? Walking up a hill, or through the woods over logs and stones, can be really helpful for keeping muscle and is strengthening for the horse 🤗 Failing that, could long reining and work over cavaletti be an option? You can often do that in a smaller space, and it is also very strengthening for the horse. It is good mental training for them too.

Elise Lindman

Sports Psychologist