Jec Ballou Equine Fitness Blog

What Type of Exercise Suits Your Horse Best?

This allows muscle fibers and energy systems to be recruited, taxed, and then recover. The body absorbs the exercise stimulus this way as opposed to just tolerating it. There is a big difference betwe... ...more

Horse

December 10, 2024•4 min read

Horse Heart Rates and Training

While dressage— and other arena sports— places relatively low aerobic demands on horses, emerging studies have shown that occasional exercise at higher heart rates may improve muscle function. ...more

Horse

February 18, 2024•3 min read

How to Keep You Horse Fit Without Riding

How to Keep You Horse Fit Without Riding ...more

Horse

January 08, 2024•0 min read

Ground Reaction Forces: you can’t avoid them

Depending on the speed and gait, not to mention how much suspension your horse has, ground reaction forces can be a big problem. ...more

Horse

December 19, 2023•3 min read

Healthier Afoot: A Lifestyle Guide for Better Hooves

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Horse

October 14, 2023•5 min read

Why a Longe Cavesson?

Since I have written about cavessons frequently in my books, many readers have contacted me to ask about design, uses, and buying resources. In this post, I will answer several of the most frequent qu... ...more

Horse

August 11, 2023•3 min read

All About Respiration

At some point, most riders aboard a horse that is breathing heavily will draw a conclusion about its fitness. Respiration, though, can be a fickle fitness marker. And it might sometimes tell you more ... ...more

Horse

June 19, 2023•5 min read

How Long Should I Train My Horse Daily?

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Horse

April 17, 2023•6 min read

The Case for Lightness

While it might often be spoken about in artistic, aesthetic, or even philosophical ways, lightness — both of movement and also of communication with horses — is more than an abstract ideal. In many wa... ...more

Horse

November 21, 2022•6 min read