Early morning rides in the summer time are not only a thing of great joy, they also help to maintain fitness (both ours and our four-legged-friends). Not only do you have the tranquility a 6am hack can afford you can also bask in the smugness of knowing you’ve ticked a big box off the to-do list before most have hit snooze for the first time.
However, this pretty picture isn’t so pretty when winter hits and it simply isn’t safe to be hacking that early. For those of us without a floodlit arena, what are the options and how can we keep our horses fit and sane when there are fewer hours of light during the day.
As we all know, horses aren’t robots and for many of us, our best friends are athletes. You wouldn’t expect a long-distance runner to gear up for the Olympics without any training . . . nor would we expect our horses to tackle a chunky cross-country course, or complicated showjumping class without the fitness to carry them safely through.
An established exercise routine is critical for those who have competition in mind, so here are some hints and tips to help keep the exercise programme running even despite the darkness.
Arena hire:
The majority of competition centres will hire out their facilities which offers the chance to practice on pro-level surfaces with top-quality jumps. Arena hire costs are generally around £20 - £25ph.
However, if you don’t have the cash to spend on weekly arena hires, there are alternatives to consider . . . Take a look closer to home and see if there are private arenas (with lights) that can be hired. Many owners will let you use their facilities for £10 per hour (or similar) which is a great way to make this a regular activity if you don’t have the endless funds to go to an established venue. Some people advertise through Facebook marketplace so this is a good place to start but talk to your horsey community or contact your local Riding Club to see if anyone can help.
Lunging:
If you’re short on time because of the light, a quick lunge can do wonders for developing topline muscle and overall fitness. Replacing one of your summer-time hacks with a weekly lunge will help maintain your horse’s condition and sanity.
Swimming:
Water treadmills and hydrotherapy pools are a super-efficient way to exercise your horse, improving muscle tone, balance and increasing core stability. Whilst this isn’t the cheapest option out there, so possibly not a replacement for a daily hack, there are SO many benefits it’s worth committing to a weekly or fortnightly session if funds allow.
A Sharer:
If you’re really struggling to find the time to ride, consider a sharer who can exercise your horse for you during the working week. You can expect a financial contribution as well which for many is a helpful addition to the budget. There might be someone trustworthy or experienced on your yard who is happy to help, or if money isn’t an issue, consider employing a freelance rider to come and take on the job of hacking 2-3 times a week to help keep those all important fitness levels up and those spicier horses a little calmer.
Riding/Pony Clubs:
Not only are Riding/Pony Clubs brilliant for meeting like-minded people, they also offer excellent opportunities to train as a group. With organised rallies throughout the winter months, you’ll get access to top-quality coaching, in a safe, lit arena for a fraction of the cost of a private hire.
Hopefully more than a polo’s worth of food for thought here, enough to keep the fitness up as the excitement of arena eventing arrives. As always, we love to hear your thoughts so if you’ve got anything to add to this blog please get in touch and we’ll happily add your tips.
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