Last updated on December 31, 2024

5 Ways to Improve Your Horsemanship During the Off-Season

Are you one who likes to ride horses all year long or do you prefer to take a break when the weather is less than favorable? Whether you are a “fair weather cowpoke” or an extra tough son of a gun who rides every day all year long is up to you. However, if you choose to take the more extreme weather seasons off from riding, there are still several things you can do to grow as a rider and improve your horsemanship.

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Grow Your Horsemanship Skills with These 5 Things

1. Commit to reading or watching good training material

No matter how long you’ve been riding, or how many disciplines you know, there is ALWAYS room for growth! Equine sciences have improved so much over the past few decades that it doesn’t hurt to brush up on your knowledge of biomechanics, training techniques, or nutrition. If you feel pretty solid on those topics, you can find YouTube videos or webinars on different training methods, or exercises in your event.

2. Get in better shape for riding!

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If you’ve spent all year working on your horse’s fitness, winter is the perfect time to focus on YOUR fitness. A strong core makes for a better rider…and almost everyone needs to work on their core muscles! Feeling healthier and stronger will make the upcoming competition year easier on you physically and mentally.

If you can’t (or don’t want to) spring for a gym membership, there are still dozens of ways to get in better shape without leaving your house. You can invest in a weight set (check out Facebook Marketplace first!), subscribe to a yoga YouTube channel, or make your own workout plan with the aid of personal trainers on Pinterest and Instagram!

3. Set goals and make a plan to achieve them in the upcoming year

Whether it’s just to improve your overall horsemanship or shave time off your run, now is the time to set goals! In your downtime, set attainable goals and then create a plan to achieve them. Keep them realistic, but not too easy, and as specific as possible. Write them in a journal, on a calendar, or on a whiteboard so that you have a visual reminder throughout the year of your goals.

4. Work on your mental game for competition

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Just like our physical muscles need to prepare and train for exertion, our mental toughness and ability to stay calm under pressure increases with preparation and practice. Many top competitors across multiple disciplines swear by tactics such as visualizing the perfect run, having a consistent pre-competition routine, and practicing breathing techniques to get their heart rate down. The book “The Inner Game of Tennis” is one that also comes highly recommended by many competitors.

We talked to Ali Armstrong about how she stays mentally sharp in this blog.

5. Enjoy just spending time with your horses as you care for them each day

Chores can get mundane, and sometimes downright unpleasant during the cold winter months. But this can be precious bonding time spent with your horses. There’s nothing more intimate between a human and their horse than the daily act of caring for them: feeding, grooming, and cleaning their living quarters. If possible, take your time while in the barn. Talk to your horses, give them extra love and pats (and maybe a treat or two). Without the grueling schedule of competition season, you and your horse now have extra time to relax together and strengthen your bond. Observing their personalities, how they move and interact with other horses, and what they do in their “free time” can give you a deeper insight into what makes them tick, and in turn, strengthen your horsemanship skills.

Good Horsemanship Doesn’t Stop When the Competition Does

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Even if you plan on spending the winter months OUT of the saddle, you can continue to hone your horsemanship skills by brushing up on knowledge or skills, planning out your goals for next year, and getting yourself into shape. Sharpening your mental focus and spending chore time to bond with your horse are other ways to improve as a horse owner and rider.
A good horseman knows that high-quality supplements are the KEY to a healthy and happy horse in any season. Foundation Daily Detox and NuTrack Digestive Support will help keep your horse healthy from the inside out, even during the most severe winter weather. Contact your local dealer or order straight from our website!