Maximize Your Horse's Health and Performance with Equine Fitness: A Comprehensive Exercise Program

aj: 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

Australia on Sep 14, 2023

Leah Hickman: 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!

Canada on Jan 08, 2021

MRS CLAIRE L MCGONIGLE: Great for planning a tailor made fitness programme. Love the little cards. Clear diagrams and instructions.

United Kingdom on Jan 06, 2021

MarieClaudexyz: I am using the exercise cards, as a riding program.

Canada on Jan 03, 2020

Caring citizen: 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.

United States on Nov 13, 2017

Clairotte4: 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.

United States on Aug 06, 2015

Keith Binding: 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.

United Kingdom on Sep 29, 2014

Heidi M. Gotway: 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!

United States on May 05, 2013

cuttinup: 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!

United States on Mar 06, 2011

Linda Rose Schaap: 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.

United States on Feb 12, 2010