An integral part of any athlete’s program is rest. Our horses are no different. They need to be able to rest and recover, mentally and physically. They need time to be a horse. I usually give my event and dressage horses a few days off after every event or show and a lighter workload the remainder of that post show week. My hunters, jumpers and equitation horses would get longer times off after several weeks of showing. The horses always have 1 or 2 days off per week depending on the fitness requirements of their level of sport. The young horses end up having time off throughout the year when they stay home while we are at shows. I also give the non show horses about 10 days off around the holidays and small breaks throughout the year.

At the end of the show season the horses get a longer time off. I usually do 14 - 21 days totally off. Our current show season goes from late March to mid November. When you have a show season that starts in December or January you have to manage the time a bit differently. When I’ve gone to Florida for the season my horses would get a few weeks off after Florida.

Some horses need to be kept ticking over a little bit. Especially the older ones. This can be a great time for a little ground work or light lunging. Many horses appreciate being totally left alone to be a horse. Let them be dirty and furry. It is imperative that this off time is not spent in a stall. As much turn out as possible is a must. This is a perfect time to pull shoes for the winter if that is part of your program.

Depending on the horse and the turn out situation I’ll start messing with them after 2 to 3 weeks. I like to ease them back into work. They’ll get 2 weeks of ground work, long lining, or lunge work 3 or 4 days a week. If it is nice out and they are sane some light trail rides are good too. I do like them to have plenty of time with no rider though.

After this 4 to 5 weeks of no work and then light no under saddle work, the horses will start to flat more. I’ll still keep it to about 4 days per week. Trail rides or hacking out is great at this time. Their work consists of lighter flatwork, long lining, and work on the line. Pole work is great at this time too. Their work remains light or even some extra couple days off over the holidays. Then January begins with vet checks and winter homework sets in!