The following excerpt is from "Relaxation Exercises for Horses: A Guide to Soft, Supple, and Light," by Guillaume Henry, and published by Trafalgar Square Books.

Proper conditioning is a very important factor in getting the most out of a competition horse. There are two elements to fitness—cardiovascular and musculoskeletal. They are equally important. Both are ideally developed through long slow distance work (LSD).

Equine behavior expert and trained ethologist Hélène Roche provides practical, fair, and scientifically researched techniques for training horses to “cooperate for care.” This technique teaching horses to cooperate and stay still for x-rays is particularly helpful for sport horses.

We’ve all been there—on the horse who pokes his way around the warm-up ring, needs leg, leg, leg coming into the combination, or brings up the rear on every trail ride. None of us wants each and every ride to be a lower-body squeezefest, nor do we wish to do anything with our crop except...

The following is an excerpt from "Neuroathletics For Riders: Innovative Exercises That Train Your Brain and Change Your Nervous System for Optimal Health and Peak Performance" by Marc Nölke and published by Trafalgar Square Books/HorseandRiderBooks.com.

The following is an excerpt from 33 Strength and Fitness Workouts for Horses by equine training and conditioning expert Jec Aristotle Ballou. Strength routines and this workout are for horses and riders with a good existing level of fitness who are working toward increased strength and e...

You have to agree that when you arrive at the barn, you arrive at a place that’s more than just fences, paddocks, and arenas—it really is your happy place: the place you go to when you need a little positive distraction from the craziness of your crazy world. Unlike other sport venues, however, y...

Let me introduce you to a key building block for confidence in the equestrian athlete: Your Own Voice. This is the voice that’s with you 24/7, being fed by things you’ve done, people who have influenced you, and things that have happened to you. It provides commentary, opinions, and gene...

About halfway through my 2009 Florida high-goal season, Hale Bopp came up lame. At the time she was 17. Our team’s veterinarian assessed her, found degenerative changes in one front ankle, suggested injecting that joint with hyaluronic acid and cortisone, and said she’d be ready to go for our nex...