In order for a horse to be able to slide, spin, or rollback safely, it is necessary for the horse to be in peak physical fitness. Matt Mills, a reining horse trainer from Arizona, builds a horse’s physical fitness by conducting conditioning sessions that focus on enhancing the horse’s cardiovascular capacity, endurance, and its ability to execute the maneuvers required to successfully finish a reining pattern.
When it comes to the 39-year-old World Equestrian Games Team gold medalist, the focus is not solely on training the horse during every ride, but rather on periodically evaluating the well-being of the horse both mentally and physically.
According to him, it is not necessary to overtrain. The crucial aspect of conditioning for reining horses is not to constantly perform spinning and stopping, but to ensure that the horse is in excellent physical condition. One should never underestimate the overall health of a horse, which includes being injury-free and having cardiovascular fitness, as well as well-toned muscles for performing the tasks.
Mills gained knowledge on when to exert pressure on a horse and when to ease off, ensuring that the horse does not reach its breaking point. This knowledge is particularly crucial during the training of horses for futurities, as they approach their third year. With his Equi-Stat earnings surpassing a million dollars, Mills has almost perfected his training regimen, which involves four distinct methods of evaluating his horses and detecting any potential issues.
In the first part of this two-part training series, Mills explains the initial two steps: His approach to commencing each training session and his observation of a horse’s well-being during the process of enhancing their fitness.
1. START FISHING
Mills aims for his horse to perceive his gentle rides as an uncomplicated and calming experience. However, Mills personally prioritizes thoroughly monitoring each individual step taken by the horse as he stays attentive to his companion.
He will walk for a period of 5 to 15 minutes before proceeding to trot with the horse.
When I am trotting around, I focus on observing a horse’s gait. I am attentive to any slight imbalances or deviations to the right or left. A skilled horseman will perceive an irregularity in a horse’s gait before a veterinarian can diagnose it. Instead of waiting, I rely on my instincts to address any concerns that arise. Ultimately, the horse’s well-being remains my top priority.
By observing the horse’s response to his leg and spur, or the rein cue, he evaluates whether the horse is mentally disconnected or experiencing a physical issue, indicated by the horse’s ear-pinning or tail-ringing behavior.
He explained that he engages in bending and performs lateral exercises. Although it may appear straightforward, these exercises can provide valuable insights if the horse doesn’t respond as expected. Ultimately, he is simply testing to ensure that everything feels alright.
Mills carefully observes the horse’s breathing as he exercises it, particularly during longer trotting sessions.
He says that it is important to observe if a horse becomes excessively exhausted. Similar to humans, horses also need to gradually build up their stamina and rest. On training days or less strenuous days, he has become more adept at recognizing signs of a horse being out of breath. He believes that continuously pushing a horse to work when it is unable to breathe properly will only lead to difficulties and negative consequences. If a horse is physically incapable of performing the requested tasks, it should have more days with less intense exercise in order to improve its cardiovascular condition and endurance.
2. FIND CRUISE MODE
Trotting is an effective method for developing a horse’s muscles with minimal stress on its limbs, whereas a reining horse must have sufficient fitness to perform multiple loping circles. The trainer carefully observes the horse’s response to the cue to begin loping, and then attentively tracks its rhythmic circles and straight lines. Instead of forcefully directing the horse, Mills allows it to find its own pace and skillfully observes its movements.
He explains that he lopes the horse in circles to assess if it maintains the same posture on both the right and left leads. During this process, he asks the horse to bend and respond to pressure. Generally, horses have a better side, but if there is a noticeable disparity between the two sides, it is likely indicative of an underlying lameness issue.
By going through these check-in sessions, Mills is able to address a potential issue that could result in a more serious injury later on. Moreover, if the horse can only gallop for a limited number of circles before showing signs of fatigue, Mills understands that the horse requires additional training prior to participating in a horse show.
Mills says that if you compare your horse to an NFL athlete, and the horse has been inactive for a month before being put into a game on Sunday, it is highly probable that the horse will get injured, just like the athlete.
To have a strong barrel horse, it is necessary for the horse to possess the muscles and balance needed for the sport. The specific muscles to focus on will differ for each horse, as no two horses are identical. Consequently, it is impossible to determine a single method. Nonetheless, there are numerous exercises that can be attempted, both on the ground and while riding, to aid in the development of the horse’s topline, hind end, abs, and back.
If you decide to attempt these exercises, keep in mind that developing muscle in your horse necessitates focusing on their flexibility too. This is because a horse that is strong but lacks flexibility can potentially inflict discomfort and harm to their body. Be sure to avoid repeating the same exercises excessively in order to prevent your horse from becoming disinterested.
BONUS: EXERCISES TO BUILD YOUR HORSE’S MUSCLES FOR BARREL RACING
- Exercises for the hind end
To assist your horse in developing their hind end, the initial step is to focus on working in an engaged and collected manner, with impulsion, in order for the horse to engage their hind end at each pace. To improve impulsion and enhance the horse’s hind end engagement, one can attempt to establish three different speeds at each pace and incorporate numerous transitions. To establish the three speeds, simply utilize the horse’s natural pace, accelerating and decelerating to generate the additional two speeds. This process, although straightforward, holds significant importance. By adjusting the horse’s speed during training, slowing down and speeding up, they will utilize their hind end to regulate their pace. Likewise, incorporating transitions will also prove beneficial, as a well-balanced and collected horse should engage their hind end when transitioning from trot to walk, or walk to trot, as well as at other paces.
- Exercises for the abs
When engaging in exercises to strengthen your horse’s abdominal muscles, it is primarily done on the ground through stretching. You can achieve the desired outcomes by applying pressure to the girth area to raise their back, encouraging them to lower their head between their legs, or using a carrot to promote neck bending.
One way to build your horse’s core is by working long and low. This can be done through neck extensions and working at different gaits. By doing so, your horse will be able to engage their abs. To make the session more intense, you can also incorporate poles. This can be done by having your horse go over them with their neck extended or by riding in a circle on the ground or over poles.
- Exercises for the back
The first step to enhance the strength of your horse’s back is by engaging in activities such as traversing hills and working on uneven terrain. This straightforward yet highly effective approach can be easily implemented. Engaging in trail rides and participating in obstacle courses are both excellent ways to achieve this objective.
In addition to abs exercises, working in a long and low position can be beneficial. Similarly, working collected and engaged, as mentioned for the hind end, can also be effective. Transitions and backing up can also contribute to working the back muscles.
During other training sessions, the back naturally develops itself; however, it is crucial to remember and consider it occasionally while riding, ensuring that the horse’s topline remains in excellent condition.
- The importance of the topline and how to improve it
The muscles on your horse’s topline are of great importance to their physical condition. Essentially, the topline serves as the foundation for a horse’s strength and balance. It is futile to attempt to build muscle on a horse with a weak topline, so it is crucial to ensure that the muscles on the topline are well-developed and that the spine processes are not easily noticeable.
The first step is to ensure that your horse’s feed is checked, so that they receive sufficient nutrition and adequate protein. It is advisable to consult with a nutritionist to ensure that the feed is suitable for your horse and that the quantities are accurately determined.
Properly fitting saddle is of utmost importance, particularly for horses with subpar toplines. However, even horses with well-developed toplines can suffer from the negative effects of an ill-fitting saddle. This can result in muscle tension, pressure, and ultimately muscle degradation.
To improve the topline, consider maximizing the amount of time your horse spends outdoors and feeding them at ground level. This encourages the horse to extend their neck while eating, aligning with their natural feeding position and facilitating a natural and effortless enhancement of the topline.
