By sticking to a regular conditioning schedule, this mare's body fat will be replaced by muscle in the coming weeks.

Sometimes we just get busy and riding regularly isn’t at the top of our to-do list. Sometimes we simply like to give our horses a rest break. At other times, there are just no events to go to, so we’re not as motivated to keep our horses in tip-top shape.

Regardless of the reason, in most cases, a time-off period is a good thing. Horses appreciate the mental break, and it gives minor aches and injuries time to heal. Generally, horses and riders benefit from a lay-off, and come back to competition refreshed.

But even though the calendar says it’s time for show season, most horses are far from competition-ready after a lay-off. Getting them back into good physical shape is your first priority. However, it’s probably going to take longer than you first imagined. In fairness to your horse, you’re going to need a good plan, plus some kindness and consideration.

Conditioning Prevents Injuries

Timed-event horses must be in top athletic condition for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, they must have sufficient muscle strength to minimize strain so they do not get hurt or sore when making a run.

Look at it from the horse’s perspective. What happens when you jog or exercise for the first time after a long lay-off? You’re sore, you’re cranky, and you don’t feel well. It’s the same with horses.

Now, imagine if you had to do something extremely strenuous in the same out-of-shape condition. You might pull a muscle, get sick to your stomach, or something even worse, because you do not have the muscle strength or the air to perform at that level.

In timed events, ground conditions, weather and other factors can work against your horse. You put him at a disadvantage if you ask him to work all-out without being conditioned for the task.

So how do we go about getting a horse in shape? It’s a little different for each horse, but there are some general rules.

First, plan to go slow. It’s not fair to pull an out-of-condition horse from the pasture two weeks before a big event and expect him to run his best and be competitive with other horses that are in shape.

A good rule of thumb for coming back after a lay-off is to realize it takes just as many weeks to get a horse back into shape as it did for him to get out of shape, up to 12 weeks. In other words, if he’s off for eight weeks, it will take that long to get him back in competition-ready condition. If he’s off for five months, it will still take three months to get him back in shape.

At a minimum, you’ll need to plan on four to six weeks of consistent work before you can reasonably expect your horse to be in condition to compete. By consistent, we mean that he’s getting exercise an average of five days a week.

We start the first week of work with a simple program of walking, trotting and loping. The workout is likely about 40 to 45 minutes long, but of that time, only a small portion is trotting and loping, and there is a good deal of walking sandwiched between the faster paces.

That’s because if your horse has been turned out or kept up in a stall, chances are he hasn’t done much to build his wind. Working him too much at this point will make him sore and can adversely affect his work ethic.

We’ll begin the workout walking—working on the basics, flexing at the poll, bending from side to side, and moving off the leg. Chances are that the horse will be a little rusty and have some resistance. This is the time for patience and repetition. You’re asking for a response, and he’s thinking he’d still like to be on vacation, so just correct, and ask again. Don’t get mad or frustrated; these behaviors will likely be much less evident in about a week.

After we’ve walked five or 10 minutes, we’ll trot around the arena long enough to get his respiration rate up, and we’ll likely see a little bit of sweat behind his ears and on his shoulders. Then we’ll walk again until his respiration goes back to normal before repeating the process in the other direction. After the second cool-down, we’ll likely lope a few times each way around the arena, separated by some more walking. Then we’ll end walking again to cool him down, or even taking him on a trail ride while he cools off. As he rejoins the workforce, we want him to look forward to being ridden.

Each day, you’ll increase the strenuous workout time by adding a little more trotting or loping to his workout. But keep one important thing in your mind. You’re working him "out" then cooling him "down." If you’re workout is "working your horse up" and he’s getting more excited, you’re doing too much fast work.

After the first few days, you might want to start letting him trot and slow lope through the pattern, but please do not go any faster at this point. You’re simply rehearsing the basics with him—collection, flexion and the proper route through the pattern.

Continue to increase the workout through the first month, then find a balanced routine that continues to build your horse’s wind and muscle strength.

Also, since his muscles are still weak, he may be clumsier during this early conditioning time, or he may just take a wrong step. Either way, he is more prone to injury now. Take care of his legs by using leg protection, such as wraps or support boots, on him when you’re working.

If you changed his feeding routine during his lay-off, gradually change his diet to accommodate his training and competition needs. You want to do this slowly, so you do not cause laminitis or colic from the dietary changes.

These guidelines are also applicable to a horse coming back from an injury. You want to go slow.

Also, the level of competition will make a difference in how much conditioning is enough for your horse. If your kids are using him for playdays and he’s going to be loping slowly through a pattern, then he obviously does not need as much preparation. If your horse is going to be running at pro rodeos, then he’ll need a lot more time to get to his peak performance level.

However long it takes, be fair to your horse. Be conscientious and consistent about providing your timed-event horse with the exercise and training he needs to be fit to run.