Equine Fitness: A Program of Exercises and Routines for Your Horse Kindle Edition

This book is really useful. I bought a horse that hadn't been worked in a long time and he had some man boobs going on. I started slow and steady and followed this book as a guide. The back of the book has cards you can punch out for each exercise. I laminated them on a laminator I got on Amazon and now they'll last longer at the barn. My only wish is that the book addressed some more specific issues, for example my horse has a Hunter's bump and not all exercises are appropriate for him. But other than that, great help.

I was searching for exercises that I could do with my cutting horse in order to strengthen all muscle groups. My past experiences have led me to believe that when a horse is used in one discipline on a regular basis year after year... You can expect that individual to encounter health/injury problems related to his particular sport. It has also been my experience that if you can divide that particular horse's time between his primary event and a different type of physical activity that involves other muscle groups...You will end up with a sounder horse. The book Equine Fitness offered specific exercises targeting specific muscle groups that any horse/rider any do. Equine Fitness is also an opportunity to freshen your horse's mind with a new activity, especially if your horse is nearing the burn-out stage!! I was very pleased with this book and I Especially love the "cheat cards" at the back of the book that you can carry out to the arena! Works for me, even in a western saddle!

This is a great book. It has cards in the back that you can laminate, put in a ring and take to your barn (or wherever you ride). It has chapters on the *why* of certain exercises. But it also has simple fitness routines that you can do. She makes it easy by having several sets of exercises to be done together in order to build fitness. I have a strong mule that nevertheless needs cardio and strength plans to keep looking good and not have a sagging topline. I have really enjoyed this book and will be using these exercises until his very senior years. Even then, she had modifications for older equine. It is a book anyone can use, whether a trail rider, dressage person, show rider etc. There is nothing in it that suggests it is only for dressage people. It is great for anyone!

I am a new horse owner, and am trying to plan lessons between my actual lessons with an instructor. I have found great exercises in this book, and love the little cards. I should probably get them laminated. I am not super excited about the on the ground stretches (pull the tail, flex the joints, etc), and this is probably because this is completely out of my comfort zone and I am worried I could do something wrong. I will check that with my instructor...But overall I would recommend this book.

Jec Ballou has written a Masterpiece work which is a cummulation of her studies, experience, equine knowledge, and love and respect for this wonderful animal. This book is a must for anyone, from beginner to experienced level, and will assist greatly in achieving a balanced, healthy horse who enjoys his/her work, and will enjoy years of soundness and athletic performance that can only come from a proper foundation. I found that the way she has written the book, the application of her program can be implemented at any stage, whether you are just starting a youngster, want to purify the movements of your horse, or keep your senior companion sound and willing. The pull out cards that you can take with you while working are great, too. I want to buy a second one just to save for my library.

One of the better horse books I’ve purchased. I seriously recommend

Having purchased a previous book - 101 Dressage exercises - by this author I expected something good & was not disappointed. Lots of clear activities and I liked the pull out card system which I could take to the arena for on the spot fitness training for my horse. That way I didn't have to take the book with me - just the summarised fitness activity. I liked the contributions from a variety of equestrians and the background explanations as to what we are trying to improve. Lots of very illustrative drawings.

I bought this book as I have a horse with a stifle injury and he also does not carry him self correctly due to the injury, so searched the internet to find help on how to get him sound again, I found a link on line that pointed to this book and they raved about it, I can report that the book is in deed a great find, had loads of interesting information, and the best part are the pull out cards, you can take to the arena with you and refer to them as you work the horse, the book is clear, concise and the drawings are great and show what you need to know, I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the fitness and conditioning of their horse.

Some good common sense advice. If you are inexperienced at conditioning a horse you will still need to get a skilled eye to assist you on your journey, but this book does give you some ideas to get there. I would have preferred more focus on ground work / in-hand work. This book focuses more on ridden exercises.

This is a superb book & helped me to understand why some things were happening with my horse ! The author's style is flowing - much like a friend chatting to you - and the information is easy to understand. I found myself having many "lightbulb" moments ! Wonderful section on stretching & bodywork with clear illustrations. Great inhand & ridden exercises too. And there's handy tear out cards at the back of the book as a quick memory aid at the yard or when riding. I can't recomend this book highly enough.

Great for planning a tailor made fitness programme. Love the little cards. Clear diagrams and instructions.

I would highly recommend this book, detailed illustrations and well written.

Lots of good advice and ideas