How to Tone a Horse

Having a fit horse is a must for the show ring or any professional presentation. If you are planning on placing your horse on public display or if you want to go on a long-distance ride, you must make sure your horse is in good physical condition and properly toned.

Things You'll Need

  • Round pen
  • Hose
  • Longe line
  • Longe whip
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
  • Blanket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Working your horse in a round pen or on a longe line is an excellent way to get it fit before working it under saddle. If your pen has deep sand, that is even better, as the substrate will require the horse to use its muscles more to move forward. Start easy, walking and trotting, then work up to a couple of minutes cantering, then back to the trot, then walk. Work the horse until it is lightly winded and then cool it down.

    • 2

      Increase the time of the workouts from 10 to 30 minutes. Be sure to cool the horse properly so that it is not heaving for breath and dripping sweat when you are done with the lesson.

    • 3

      Hosing down the horse after each workout can help massage its muscles and enhance toning. It is also excellent for the health of the animal as it rinses sweat and dirt from the horse's coat and skin.

    • 4

      Saddle and ride your horse once it is going well in the round pen. Alternate the round pen workouts with saddle workouts, as many as five days a week. Spend the first 10 minutes at a comfortable walk, then move into a trot, canter, back to trot, then finish with a walk. Start with five minutes at each pace, then work your way up. Gauge the time you work at each pace by how winded the animal gets while working.

    • 5

      Keep it interesting for your horse by alternating workouts and locations. A horse can get bored and cranky if it has to endure the same process over and over again in the same place. By keeping the workouts interesting, the horse will enjoy the process of getting toned. Alternate round pen or arena work with trail work and pasture lessons. A finished horse will be nicely muscled, well-fleshed, tight without being hard and have a healthy sheen to its coat, hooves and eyes.