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Mind, Body and Soul - What it Takes to Keep Your Horse Healthy and Happy

In many ways a horse is similar to a person, without challenges in their life they become stale, stagnant and soured on everything in life. In the stable or the pasture they start causing problems and develop bad behaviors, which is exactly the same thing that happens in the ring or out on a pleasure ride. Both physical and mental health and happiness for your horse is essential to keep the interested and challenged, striving to constantly improve and excel.

Many riders simply don't know how to spice up a training routine to bring both themselves and their horse out of the same old rut. Designing a new routine can be difficult and somewhat overwhelming unless you happen to know about horse gymnastics. Horse gymnastics is a specialized form of training work for the horse and rider to increase balance, responsiveness and teamwork while also increasing mental alertness.

The methods used in horse gymnastics also allow for an increasing physical demand on the horse, providing strength, endurance and flexibility regardless of the riding discipline. For those moving on to more advanced jumping training, this is also a great foundation that can be incorporated into the most advanced training programs as the horse develops.

Gymnastics for the horse and rider focuses on having the horse centered and improving the overall position of both the horse and rider over poles, low jumps and other types of obstacles. Selective spacing between obstacles forces the horse to think about strides and balance, while increasing flexibility and control. The rider improves his or her seat as well since working with the horse is the whole goal of the exercises.

Starting lower and slower is the key, with early gymnastic routines on the flat or with very low jump combinations. As horse and rider gain confidence alternative jumps and heights can be added for a bit more of a challenge. Although often used for jumpers, there is no reason why a horse used in any type of event wouldn't benefit from this simple yet highly effective training routine.



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