One of the best ways to improve the horse’s longevity while promoting their well-being and soundness is by ensuring they are fit and developed well enough to support the weight of the rider while carrying themselves properly.

Horses that drop or hollow their backs, regardless of the reason, are at increased risk of injury in various ways. Back pain is almost certainly inevitable, and such posture discombobulates the entire musculoskeletal system, impairing movement, and can snowball into an avalanche of other issues if left unaddressed.

The exercises in this article are intended to strengthen the horse’s ‘core’ muscles and can be performed in-hand or under saddle.