Cross Training for Horses
There’s that one saying about how variety is the spice of life, but when it comes to working with horses, variety isn’t just an added bonus, it’s imperative to wellness and injury prevention. Even when you have a set discipline, goals, and training focus, cross training is one of the best things you can do for your horse’s fitness and overall wellbeing.
What is cross training?
Cross training in the equestrian world would look like someone with a jumper working on dressage movements. Or at a more basic level, someone who needs a fast horse working on control and pace. Or even just galloping your horse in a field when they’re usually strictly ridden in an arena. Cross training essentially means that you’re getting out of the box that you’re usually in, and doing something different. And it’s an absolutely critical piece of training and working with horses.
Why bother?
Without the variety of cross training, your horse is susceptible to injury, boredom, lack of engagement, weakness, and poor cardiovascular health. It’s also just straight up boring to do the same shit day in and day out! Cross training allows you to engage your horse’s mind, body, and nervous system in a new way. It helps with stability - both mental and physical. It means that new things won’t be as scary when they’re encountered in a serious setting like a show. And it makes being with you more fun for your horse.
What are some benefits of cross training?
There’s no denying the benefits of cross training for horses. In fact, the concept of laser focus on one discipline and strict arena-work is detrimental to their health and longevity. This is why you see athletes cross training. It’s important to have ATHLETES playing sports, not just football players playing football. You don’t need a dressage horse for dressage, you need a well-rounded horse that’s really good at dressage. That way, the horse can maintain its health and sanity while having a long career. So, what are some benefits of cross training?
A well-rounded horse
Increased stability
Improved cardiovascular fitness
More strength and stability
A better connection between you and your horse
Mental stimulation and engagement
Increased proprioception
Decreased risk of overuse injuries
What happens if we don’t cross train?
If you only train to do one specific thing, and constantly do that one specific thing, your body is really good at doing that one specific thing, right? Well, then what happens when something goes wrong? When the person who trains to run in straight lines has to veer around another runner? Ankle sprain. Sort of like how jumping horses who constantly school jumps at a certain height, decide to move up, and constantly school a new height with no warning, and now their horse blows a suspensory. It’s not actually a “sudden” injury, it’s an overuse injury that was triggered by a change in the routine. What happens if you don’t bother?
Greater risk of injury
Boredom
Ring-sour behavior
Poor reactions to change/newness
Anxiety
Tension
Compensatory issues
A shortened career timeline
How can you cross train easily?
Ease of incorporation is something that I focus on in my work with clients. It’s SO important that the things I’m asking them to do will easily fit into their schedules, lifestyle, routine, whatever. For change to happen, it’s best to remove as many barriers as possible. So, start small. Work in one day per week of cross training. Then make it two. Then maybe reassess what the routine as a whole looks like. If you’re a jumper - what can benefit you in the show ring that you can work on without jumping? If you’re a dressage rider, what would benefit your horse’s brain or body and make them better equipped to execute this level’s movements? There’s always something you can do outside of drilling the show ring requirements that will benefit your horse so much more. Some of my favorite all-around cross training ideas:
Groundwork
Riding in the field
Trail rides
Galloping
Cardio conditioning in the field
Incorporating natural elements into training - logs, branches, hills, water, sand, etc.
Getting out of the arena and into nature
Getting out of the discipline box and trying basics from other disciplines/methods
A horse’s fitness and longevity rely on us being knowledgeable about fitness and injury prevention. We have to be willing to step outside of what we usually do and make changes. We have to focus on creating fit, well-rounded horses rather than laser focusing on the discipline and creating a dressage machine, or whatever the case. In order to keep our horses engaged, happy, and healthy for the long run, we have to put in the work and get creative. Try it out, I bet they’ll love it.