Whether you’re injured, your horse is coming back into work, the weather is awful, or life is simply chaotic, there will be times when riding isn’t possible. The good news? Your horse’s fitness doesn’t have to disappear. With the right groundwork and low‑impact exercises, you can maintain (and even improve) strength, balance, and suppleness from the ground.
1. Why Groundwork Matters
Groundwork keeps your horse:
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Fit
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Focused
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Balanced
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Responsive
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Mentally stimulated
It’s also safer and easier to fit into busy schedules.
2. Walking In‑Hand
One of the most underrated conditioning tools.
Benefits
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Improves fitness
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Builds topline
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Strengthens core
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Encourages relaxation
How to Do It
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Walk for 20–30 minutes
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Include hills
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Add poles
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Practise transitions (halt–walk–halt)
Perfect for horses returning from injury.
3. Polework Without Riding
Polework builds strength and coordination from the ground.
Try:
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Single poles
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Fan poles
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Raised poles
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Simple grids
Benefits
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Engages the core
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Improves balance
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Encourages rhythm
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Builds hindquarter strength
Use a mix of straight lines and curves.
4. Lunging for Fitness
Lunging can be brilliant — when done correctly.
Benefits
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Improves suppleness
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Builds muscle
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Encourages engagement
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Helps with transitions
Tips
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Keep circles large (15–20m)
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Use side reins only if appropriate
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Avoid overworking one direction
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Keep sessions short (10–20 minutes)
Quality over quantity.
5. Long‑Reining
A fantastic tool for building strength and straightness.
Benefits
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Mimics ridden work
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Encourages self‑carriage
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Builds confidence
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Improves steering and balance
Exercises
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Serpentines
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Transitions
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Polework
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Straight lines
Great for young horses and those needing variety.
6. Liberty Work & Free Schooling
Let your horse move freely with purpose.
Benefits
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Encourages natural movement
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Builds confidence
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Improves body awareness
Tips
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Use a safe, enclosed arena
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Encourage forward movement
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Reward calm, balanced work
Avoid letting them rush or run wildly.
7. Stretching & Mobility Exercises
Simple stretches improve flexibility and reduce injury risk.
Try:
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Carrot stretches
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Neck flexions
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Back lifts
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Tail pulls
Do them slowly and gently.
8. Hill Work In‑Hand
One of the best strength‑building exercises.
Benefits
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Hindquarter power
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Core strength
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Cardiovascular fitness
Walk up hills slowly and in a long frame.
9. Mental Fitness Matters Too
A mentally stimulated horse stays calmer and easier to bring back into work.
Try:
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Obstacle courses
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Desensitisation
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Target training
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Trick training
Short, fun sessions keep your horse engaged.
10. Weekly No‑Riding Fitness Plan (Example)
Monday: In‑hand walk + poles Tuesday: Lunging (light) Wednesday: Rest Thursday: Long‑reining Friday: Hill walk Saturday: Liberty/free schooling Sunday: Stretching + short in‑hand session
Adjust based on your horse’s fitness and temperament.