Bringing a horse back after a break: restarting training

After winter, an injury or a long rest, owners often want to continue right where they stopped. The horse cannot do that. Muscles, tendons and fitness are lost faster than they come back.

For the first two weeks I work almost only from the ground and at the walk. Short walks, leading, light bending exercises. I watch how the horse breathes, how quickly it calms down and how it moves.

Then I gradually add trot, but in short sections with lots of breaks. Only when the horse easily manages half an hour without fatigue do I bring back ridden work and more demanding exercises. After an injury I always consult the vet first.

A break is also an opportunity. Horses often come back more relaxed after rest, and we get the chance to fix habits that did not work for us before.