Maintaining Connection Through Winter

by Trisha Wren

Winter is most definitely here, and the shorter days, hairy horses and horrible weather conspire to prevent many of us from riding and keeping our horses in peak condition. Whilst it’s a nice idea for our horses to have a holiday over winter, the reality is that come the spring you may have to start from scratch to get your horse’s fitness back.

The good news is that there are some simple exercises you can do with your horse to keep him ticking over, not just physically but mentally too, and no fancy facilities are required. If you have turned your horse out and don’t have the pressure of competition over winter, it can be the ideal time to work on attention, softness and suppleness, so that come the new season your horse is prepared and ready to go. These exercises are also a great way of maintaining – or improving – your connection with your horse. He’ll be pleased to see you, and consequently more trusting and respectful of you.

These exercises can be easily incorporated into your winter routine, even if you only have 10 minutes a few times a week with your horse. If you can only spend time with him at the weekend, he will still benefit, just spend a little longer. Some of you might only be able to do the body exercises, for instance while grooming or changing covers; others who can spend a bit more time should be able to do some of the leading exercises, or you could do them while leading your horse in and out of the paddock.

The same techniques are also beneficial for horses out of action due to injury. Back in Scotland one of my clients had a horse that had to be kept in a stable for 2 weeks. After the first week of confinement, with minimal attention or stimulation, her coat and eyes were dull and she was losing muscle tone, so I decided to help out by doing some of the bodywork each day for a few minutes. At the end of the second week the horse looked as if she had never been confined; her coat was shiny, eyes bright and alert, and good muscle tone – ready to be brought back into work.

Here are the first couple of exercises; more next month. As those of you who have attended a Connected Riding clinic will know, your posture throughout, and the way that you connect to your horse, is important. Stay soft, take your time, and remember less is more; make sure you give your horse breaks to process what he is feeling. All exercises should be done on both sides.

Cheek delineation Helps to release the poll, improving mobility and flexibility in the area, and to ensure that lateral rotation to both sides is equal. Stand on the left side of the horse, with your left hand on the bridge of the nose or ‘connected’ to the halter. Place the fingers of your right hand in the groove just below the ear, behind the cheekbone, and slowly stroke downwards following the outline of the cheekbone. What might happen? Sleepy eyes, head lowering, muzzle twitching, licking and chewing; overall softening.
Wither rock Helps to teach the horse how to rebalance from side to side, by releasing through their shoulders, ribcage, and base of neck. Standing on the left, connect your left hand either to the halter or the leadrope (leadrope would be clipped onto the left side of the halter.) Cup your right hand over the withers. Slowly rock your weight down and away from the horse, bringing the withers towards you, then slowly release. As you release, let your weight continue forwards, and with the heel of your hand press his withers away. Slowly release. Repeat 3-4 times. As the horse accepts the movement without walking off, you can rock him slightly faster. What to look for? Releasing and lowering the head and neck, more sway through the body, more rock from side to side.
S walking Connect with 2 fingers to the noseband of your horse’s halter; make sure you are using a snug halter that won’t swivel around on his head. Walk him in S shapes which will encourage him to release through his body, lengthening the head and neck and stepping his inside hind under him. Remember to maintain a soft connection with him; you should be sucking him along with you, directing him with your body, rather than pushing or pulling him. This exercise will keep your horse soft and attentive, and get him halting squarer.

I’d love to hear feedback from anyone who tries this over the winter!

For more detail contact Trisha about Connected Riding, or see ‘Connected Groundwork I’ by Peggy Cummings. Peggy Cummings will be conducting clinics in NZ in early March 2008.

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©Trisha Wren June 2007

as printed in: The Organic Equine magazine (July 2007)