Horse Guides – Ask the Expert

Dear Louisa,

Your 3 year old horse will continue to grow, possibly until it is 6 even 7 years old depending on his breed.  With that in mind you  need to allow his bone, muscles and tendons  to strenghthen especially  in his  early years of  3 to  4 and though regular exercise for a short period of time is good, don't over do it! Turning your horse out and allowing him to move in a field in a natural way encourages suppleness in his body and allows him  some time to strengthen naturally to meet your training requirements.  In the long term, it will help to keep your horse strong and sound! . . The turn out regime should be a  month  out in a field where he or she can move around but with lots of handling, grooming, picking up  feet etc.  Then, gradually, start to add some work,  beginning once a week with to lunge and hack, then twice a week adding a light training session .  This will keep your horse familiar with you while gently stimulating his growing body as he returns  work.  Allow 2 months to get him back into full work after his month out. You should be aiming to exercise them  4-5  times per week with a combination of flat work, lunging, hacking and poles or small jumps.

Good luck with you training!

Rhegan