From the gym to the saddle: Fitness equipment that can be used in the stable

Pilates and exercise balls are probably not something you immediately associate with the stable. However, in reality, these – and many other items from the gym – can also be used in the stable. Read on and discover what and how!

Maybe you are already using the large Pilates ball when doing groundwork with your horse. But there is much more fitness equipment that you can use in the daily training of both you and your horse. Here are five suggestions for fitness equipment of varying difficulty levels that you and your horse can try to incorporate into your daily routine.

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When your horse is comfortable standing on the mat, you can gradually build upon it. For example, challenge your horse's balance on the mat by asking it to lift one leg or perform certain stretching exercises. Experiment with exercises that you would typically ask your horse to do from the ground. You can also try placing different numbers of legs on the mat, folding it completely or halfway to see how it affects the horse's body.

If the mat has a fun color, it can also serve as environmental training for many horses. Therefore, you can experiment with placing it in different locations around the arena or on the track while riding. This way, your horse will suddenly experience how otherwise familiar surroundings may look different, because of the mat. This can help strengthen your horse's focus and concentration once it realizes that the distracting element is not dangerous.

Proceed cautiously if you use a massage tool. If your horse shows any signs of discomfort, always stop and respond – and possibly have it checked by a veterinarian. Never massage – with or without a tool – on your horse immediately after training, as it can be painful for the horse's muscles.

If your horse is comfortable with it, you can try running the massage tool gently over the horse and see if you can activate different parts of the body through touch. Then try to get your horse to move. Watch for changes in your horse's movements. Perhaps the movements have become larger and more powerful – but the opposite can also be an option.

As with many other kinds of horse training, you should proceed slowly

• Let your horse sniff the aqua bag the first time and put it on without weight initially – possibly without a saddle as well. Remove the aqua bag when the horse is calm and comfortable with it.
• Hold onto the aqua bag all the time, and preferably have someone help hold the horse, so you can quickly remove the aqua bag and calm the horse if it panics.
• Once the horse is comfortable with the aqua bag on its back, you can try placing a saddle on and attaching the aqua bag to it, asking the horse to move forward and possibly fastening it loosely to the saddle.
• If your horse is comfortable with the above, you can repeat the same procedure with water in the aqua bag. You do not need to fill it up completely – especially not at the beginning. Experiment with what works for you.
• Be aware that your horse may react to both the feeling of weight and the sloshing sound of water in the aqua bag.

Once your horse is comfortable with the aqua bag on its back, you can start working with the horse and activate its back in the way you usually do. This could be through pole work or similar. Since there will be water on both sides of an aqua bag, it demands your horse's body awareness, abdominal muscles, coordination, and balance. Therefore, it can be a relatively challenging training for your horse. Thus, you should not train with the aqua bag for long intervals.

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