Why You Should Never Rush a Horse Back Into Work

Building Lasting Strength and Symmetry Through Patience and Practical Exercises

Bringing a horse back into work—whether after a break, spell, or injury—can be an exciting time. But it’s also a period that demands patience, thoughtful planning, and a gradual approach. Rushing a horse back into work can lead to setbacks, soreness, or even long-term issues. Taking it slow might not feel as thrilling as cantering on the beach, but your horse’s strength, comfort, and future performance depend on it.

The Role of In-Hand Straightness and Strengthening

Before you even think about hopping back in the saddle, it’s crucial to focus on in-hand straightness and strengthening exercises. These are the foundation stones for a resilient, healthy horse. In-hand work allows you to observe your horse’s movement up close, helping you spot any stiffness, unevenness, or compensation patterns early on. Straightness work—such as leading in straight lines, gentle turns, and basic lateral steps—encourages even muscle development and helps realign the horse’s body. This gentle groundwork builds strength in the core and supporting muscles, setting your horse up for success once you return to riding.

Important to note, this in-hand work is not about lunging in a gazillion circles. It can be done just like the image above, where your body and energy help shape the horses movements and shape. The whip is only used as an extension of your arm, using a gentle touching hand feel.

Say no to lots of lunging in circles! It's all about strength, balance, and softness. However, there is a time and place for introducing lunging.

Introducing Lunging into In-Hand Work

Lunging can be a valuable addition to your horse’s return-to-work program, but it must be approached thoughtfully and with purpose. The main aim of lunging at this stage isn’t to tire your horse out or drill them in endless circles, but to gently observe and influence their movement from the ground. Short, focused lunging sessions allow you to see how your horse carries themselves, spot any signs of bracing or tension, and help them develop better balance without the added weight of a rider.

It is preferable to use a cavesson and no other pieces of equipment on the horse during this time. This is so you can see what the horse is capable of and its ability to build strength and straightness without relying on equipment. Here is an example of a cavesson (there is not bit):

Observing Your Horse’s Movement on the Lunge

As you introduce lunging, pay close attention to the following:

• Rib Cage Movement: Is your horse’s ribcage swinging freely with each stride, or do you notice any stiffness or restriction? Ideally, the ribs should move softly side to side, showing suppleness through the body.

• Stride Length and Regularity: Watch for even, flowing steps. Is there any shortness or hesitation, particularly on one rein compared to the other? Uneven stride length can be an early sign of discomfort or compensation.

• Neck Position: Does your horse carry their neck high and tense, or are they reaching forward and down in a relaxed, telescoping manner? A low, reaching neck usually means the back is loose and the horse is moving well through their body.

Checklist: Walk, Trot, and Canter on Both Reins

It’s important to check your horse’s movement in all three paces, and in both directions:

• Walk: Look for an even, swinging walk with a relaxed topline.

• Trot: Observe the rhythm and whether the horse tracks up evenly. Are they stepping under with the hindlegs?

• Canter: Is the canter balanced and soft, or rushed and tense? Does one rein feel stiffer or heavier?

Take a moment on each rein to reflect on what you notice. Are there differences in movement from left to right? Do certain spots in the arena cause more tension? Jot down your observations to track progress over time.

Questions to Ask During Lunging

• Is there any bracing through the back, neck, or jaw?

  • Can you point your finger or whip gently towards the area where the brace is seen to encourage the horse to bring awareness to that part of their body and release the brace/tension (ensure you don't touch your horse with the hand or whip during this process)

• Are the strides regular and even, or is there short stepping?

  • Can you influence this with finger or whip points, and their timing of the leg in the swing phase to encourage positive change?

• Is my horse’s breathing relaxed, or are they holding their breath?

  • If they are holding their breath, I find getting them to do 1-2 circles of canter will help unlock the diaphragm function in the horse

• Does my horse respond to changes in my body language and aids, or do they tune me out?

  • Take a note of their eyes, where they a point/flicking to or from. Are their eyes soft or hard and is their nose/mouth relaxed?

Using Aids to Influence the Horse’s Body

As the handler, you can gently influence your horse’s body parts while lunging by using your position, energy, and the whip as an extension of your arm (never as a tool for chasing or punishment). For example, stepping slightly toward the horse’s shoulder can encourage them to yield or soften through the forehand, while positioning yourself closer to the hindquarters can encourage more engagement from behind. Use voice cues and soft, rhythmic movements to guide relaxation and focus.

Keep Lunging Brief and Purposeful

Remember, less is more. Lunging sessions should be kept short—just a few minutes on each rein at walk, trot, and, if appropriate, a gentle canter. The goal is observation, gentle strengthening, and building a positive association, not drilling or fatiguing your horse. Always finish on a good note and adjust future sessions based on what you observe. Thoughtful lunging, when combined with in-hand and ridden work, will help your horse return to exercise stronger, more balanced, and more confident.

Starting with Ridden Work at the Walk

The first days and weeks back under saddle should centre around walking. Walk is the most honest pace for developing your horse’s fitness and flexibility. It gives you time to assess their body language, check for symmetry, and make small adjustments without overwhelming their muscles or joints. At walk, both horse and rider can focus on fluidity and evenness—essential qualities for all future work. Can you get the horse to move slower than a snail's pace? Yes, that slow! Quality over quantity here.

Rider Self-Assessment: Is Your Horse Moving Evenly Without Brace?

It’s easy to get caught up in the routine, but taking a few mindful moments in each session can make a world of difference. Ask yourself:

• Does your horse’s ribcage swing evenly from side to side, or is one side stiffer/more braced?

• Do their movements feel or appear soft and loose, or is there tension or bracing through their back and neck?

• Is the stride length the same on both reins, or do you notice a difference? Is there any shortness in their stride?

Training yourself to observe these details helps you tailor exercises to your horse’s needs and prevents minor issues from becoming major ones. It also promotes your ability to recognise compensation patterns more effectively and help the horse create healthier patterns with their body.

The Influence of Rider Aids: Subtlety Matters

Your seat, leg, and rein aids are powerful tools—but their timing and feel are what really count. At walk, focus on how your aids influence stride quality. Try adjusting the pressure or timing of your leg and see if your horse steps through (not faster) more actively. Notice how a soft, following seat can invite relaxation, while a restrictive seat might make your horse feel tight or resistant. Gentle, consistent rein contact helps maintain straightness and encourages the horse to seek a connection without bracing. This is the perfect time to refine your communication and develop trust.

I try to use the visualisation and feel that the horse's spine should move like a fish swimming:

It should flow like water. If not, you have found some tension/brace. Start playing with how you can help your horse unlock their ability to move like a fish. I often think, especially when riding, "am I moving my body flowy like a fishy" (and repeat the word fishy over and over to create a new healthy habit in my body) and help the horse match this pattern.

Progressive Walk and Trot Exercises

After a few weeks of solid walk work, you can begin to introduce short bouts of trot. Here are a few exercises to gradually build softness, strength, balance, and quality:

• Walk-Halt Transitions: Encourage your horse to step under with the hindleg and stay attentive to your aids. Even better if you can get the horse to lift their thoracic sling before stepping off from halt!

• Serpentines and Large Circles: Promote suppleness and even bend through both sides of the body.

• Pole Work at Walk: Step over ground poles to engage core muscles and test straightness.

• Short Trot Intervals: After warm-up, introduce 1-2 minutes of trot on straight lines or gentle curves before returning to walk.

• Long and Low Stretching: Allow your horse to stretch down and forward, promoting looseness and relaxation.

Keep sessions short and sweet—20 to 30 minutes is plenty in the early days. If your horse feels tired or starts to lose form, it’s better to end on a good note than to push for more.

Sample Weekly Schedule for Returning to Work

The table below outlines a simple, progressive schedule for bringing your horse back into work. Adjustments may be needed based on your horse’s age, fitness, and any veterinary recommendations.

Week	Walk (min/session)	Trot (min/session)	Canter (min/session)	Sessions per Week	Type of Work
1	20–30	0	0	4–5	In-Hand
2	25–35	2–3	0	4–5	In-Hand
3	20–25	5–7	1–2	5	In-Hand (80%) & Ridden (20%)
4	15–20	10–12	3–4	5–6	In-Hand (70%) & Ridden (30%)

 Note: Adapt these guidelines as needed—if in doubt, consult your vet or an experienced trainer.

Conclusion: Patience Pays Off Long-Term

Bringing a horse back into work is a journey, not a race. By focusing on straightness, symmetry, and careful progression, you’ll build a horse that’s not only stronger and more supple, but also happier and more willing. Remember—patience, observation, and a gradual increase in workload are your best allies for your horse’s long-term health and performance. Take it one step at a time, celebrate small wins, and enjoy the process together!

Does any of this resonate with you? What do you do when you bring your horse(s) back into work? Is there anything in this post that you want to dive into some more - let me know in the comments.