How to bring a horse back into work

Horses’ fitness levels often drop over the winter months, and the same is true of their riders. Muddy fields, short days and bad weather can make it tricky to stick to a routine. But as spring approaches, with better ground and events on the horizon, it’s worth taking time to prepare your horse properly for the months ahead.

To ensure horses are fit for their intended workload – the intensity of work should be increased gradually, with varying exercises to keep things interesting. It’s also essential to remain flexible, rather than sticking rigidly to a plan. This applies whether a horse is coming back after a winter break, recovering from injury or returning after time off for other reasons. Pushing too hard too soon is one of the most common causes of strains and injuries in spring.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to bring a horse back into work.

Assessing your horse’s fitness

How fit a horse needs to be depends entirely on what you ask of them. A top-level event horse has very different requirements from a happy hacker. But the same basic principles still apply: start slowly, build endurance over time and watch carefully for signs of fatigue.

If a horse was fully roughed off over winter, fitness must be rebuilt from the ground up, and those early weeks look much the same for everyone, regardless of level. The priority is reconditioning the heart and lungs while allowing muscles, tendons and ligaments time to adapt.

Petplan Equine ambassador and vet Juliette Edmonds stresses that before starting any fitness programme, it’s important to take time to prepare properly. “It can be helpful to get a vet check before you get started. Make sure the tack is all fitting well and get the vet to look at the teeth. Make sure the horse is completely sound and comfortable before you start working.”

This is also the ideal time to review your horse insurance policy, especially if you want to compete or significantly increase your horse’s workload. Plan to reassess saddle fit midway through the programme, too, as a horse's topline and muscle distribution will change as they become fitter.

Step-by-step fitness plan

Returning a horse to work after a break should begin gently, gradually increasing the duration and intensity over several weeks. A typical programme for a completely unfit horse might look like this:

Weeks 1–4

Stick to walking and low-impact trot work three to four times a week to begin with. Slowly build from around 45 minutes to 60 by the end of week four. A horse walker can be a good alternative when hacking isn’t possible due to bad weather or soggy ground conditions. Long reining is also a good way to see how your horse is working and flag any asymmetries, so you can adjust their programme accordingly.

Weeks 5–7

Riding four to five times a week. Light schooling and short canters can now be introduced, alongside longer hacks. Poles and simple grids will help improve coordination and encourage muscle development without placing too much strain on the joints.

Weeks 8–10

Riding five to six times a week. Canter work and more gymnastic grid exercises can be stepped up, with many horses ready for moderate competition by this point.

Plans should always be adapted for horses returning from injury or laminitis, with vet advice guiding progression. Horses that were not fully let down over the winter may be able to start partway through this process, but an honest assessment of fitness levels is essential.

If there are any signs of soreness or discomfort, it’s better to ease off for a while and reassess than to push on. Delaying a first competition by a couple of weeks is far preferable to creating a longer-term problem.

For more information, check out this interview between international event rider Lucinda Green MBE, and Petplan Equine ambassador and vet Juliette Edmonds, on how to bring a horse back into work.

Building strength and engagement

Even in the early weeks of a fitness regime, every step should be purposeful. An active walk, where the horse is engaged and marching forwards, does more for the topline than a miles-long amble on a loose rein. Variety is also key to keeping horses mentally engaged and interested in their work while encouraging balanced muscle development.

Hill work is excellent for building strength and cardiovascular fitness but should only be introduced when the horse is ready. Early sessions are best mostly kept on level surfaces with some give underfoot, though some roadwork can help strengthen bone and tendons, especially after a winter on soft mud.

Adapting plans for different types of rest

Horses may have time off for many reasons:

• Winter rest: Typically requires gradual reconditioning to rebuild fitness and strength.
• Injury recovery: It’s important to understand how to bring a horse back into work after injury, gradually building fitness in line with veterinary advice to avoid setbacks, focusing on gradual increases in workload.
• Laminitis: Knowing how to bring a horse back into work after laminitis is crucial. Correct farriery and strict diet management will allow the hoof to heal and regain strength. Start by walking in-hand on soft surfaces and progress slowly.
• Owner absence or illness: Begin with a gentle reintroduction to routine. Keep work interesting and varied to keep the horse engaged. Assessing your own fitness after time off is also key, so don’t forget to ease yourself back into the saddle too.

No matter the reason behind your horse’s time off, the same rules apply: assess fitness, increase workload gradually and watch for signs of fatigue. Riders should also pace themselves – a tired rider can put extra strain on a horse.

What to feed a horse coming back into work

Ensuring your horse’s routine and diet are suitable is just as important as their exercise plan. If your horse is carrying a few extra pounds after time off, resist the temptation to add hard feed in the hope of giving them more energy. Losing weight is a better way to improve stamina and movement than eating extra calories, and unnecessary feed can lead to digestive upset or weight-related strain.

For horses returning to work, consider small adjustments such as:

• Offering high-quality hay or haylage throughout the day to maintain gut health and steady energy.
• Avoiding sudden changes to feed type or quantity to prevent colic or digestive issues.
• Monitoring body condition regularly and adjusting forage intake according to work levels and fitness goals.

A consistent, fibre-based diet combined with a gradual reintroduction to work helps your horse regain fitness safely and supports overall health and wellbeing.

Monitoring progress and safety

Signs of pain, stiffness or behavioural change should never be ignored. Lameness, reluctance to work or ongoing soreness are all reasons to pause a programme and seek professional advice.

Pushing through discomfort rarely saves time in the long run and often leads to further setbacks. A horse that’s been brought back into work properly should feel keen and willing, not tired or resistant.

By building fitness gradually, feeding sensibly and listening to what your horse tells you, you’ll both be ready for the season ahead – whether that means a demanding competition schedule or just enjoying longer hacks in the sunshine.