11/04/2026
This diagram is a great representation of a horse’s core welfare needs, most people would agree that movement and exercise sits right alongside things like foraging, social interaction, and basic care.
But this is where I think we miss something important in exercise.
Preparing and maintaining a horse for ridden work is more than just climbing on and riding.
I can't even count how many times I hear "oh I just want a horse I can ride".
In reality, how a horse moves and is conditioned is what determines whether their body can actually cope with carrying a rider long term.
Developing a strong, functional core, maintaining range of motion, and building progressive strength through things like stretching, groundwork, transitions, pole work, and appropriate loading isn’t “extra” it’s what makes that welfare component meaningful.
When horses are started this way, many of the back issues we see later are largely preventable. Not because we’re doing something advanced, but because we’re respecting how the body works.
What I find challenging is the perception that this approach is optional something “extra” you do if you’re particularly invested.
If we normalised this as the starting point, rather than the exception, we’d likely see far fewer horses struggling with the same preventable issues.
Then there's the importance of the rider being in riding condition, not just the horse (that's another topic). You want a horse you can ride, your horse wants a rider that is balanced 😌.
Personally I think its time we stop treating these things as optional.
Image adapted from Equitation Science International with AI.
