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

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.

An excellent book. In particular, the introductory section explains the principles of biomechanics and the need to regard a horse as a "whole system", rather than focussing on isolated parts of its physiology, if one is to approach fitness and conditioning in the right way. Most importantly, it cautions against assuming that because the horse looks fitter/stronger that its condition is as good as one thinks because sustainable, effective conditioning takes a long time. Very well written and well illustrated. It provides both guidance and clear strategies for conditioning your equine, however old and whatever discipline/activity you engage in. Highly recommended.

Really comprehensive book, it has made me much more considerate to my horses training and recovery patterns. It has increased my confidence in doing stretches and manipulation of muscle groups. The pull out cards are fantastic also!

Great book

Brilliant - fantastic advice on how to keep your horse fit and supple. I love the pull out cards which can be taken out on to the yard! Best book I've read around this subject.

Nice, structured programme that is simple to follow. I am finding it easy to use though I'm not sure my horse appreciates it!

Wish I'd found this book years ago, everything all in one place for training ideas (ridden and ground) and perfect cut out cards to take up yard. Well worth the price, and different routine schedules at the back - like having PT for horses :)

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

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.

Book is a wonderful resource with exercises from basic to more technical. Also purchased the accompanying 4 week training plan direct from Jec Ballou. Both are complimentary. Do recommend

As a physiotherapist, I found the information in this book to be excellent and well-researched. As a rider, I loved the practicality of the tear out cards. I have used a few of the exercises with my horse and we are both finding them challenging and helpful. Looking forward to seeing the results of incorporating these exercises and more regular “Strength and Conditioning” training into our routine in a few months :) GET THIS BOOK!

Fantastic book. Easy to follow and understand. love the pull-out pages in the back. Best equine training book ever.

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!