How quickly can I safely increase my horse’s workload?
Short answer
Like with any healthy athlete’s growth, the safest and best approach is going slow and intentional. A general guideline is increasing total workload by no more than 10–20% per week, which allows connective tissue to adapt. Horses with a higher body fat need to start work more slowly and through gradual progression to allow their body condition time to improve. It’s also important that we address our own athletic capabilities, ensuring our fitness level matches what we’re asking our horses to do.
Real-Life Example
In early spring when horses may have had inconsistent work through the winter months, try starting with in hand work to gauge where both horse and rider are in their fitness. It’s okay to start slow and build up as long as it takes to get back to the place where both were at the end of last season. Remembering that pasture movement is not the same as sustaining rider load.
It Depends
Progression varies based on:
• Fitness level
• Age
• Prior injuries/history of lameness
• Current foot health
• Terrain - new or different than their daily lifestyle
• Nutrition - balanced appropriately and/or supplemented for increased energy output
When to Seek Guidance
Consult a professional before increasing intensity if you notice:
• New stiffness
• Swelling or inflammation appearing in the body
• Behavioral resistance or new training issues experienced
• Heat in tendons
• New areas of atrophy or heavier weight carried than prior season
Sources:
Pratt-Phillips, S., & Munjizun, A. (2023). Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses.
Jansson, A., Gunnarsson, V. Þ., Ringmark, S., Ragnarsson, S., Söderroos, D., Ásgeirsson, E., Jóhannsdóttir, T. R., Liedberg, C., & Stefánsdóttir, G. J. (2021). Increased body fat content in horses alters metabolic and physiological exercise response, decreases performance, and increases locomotion asymmetry.
