Winter Training

Winter is a crucial time for sport horses and their riders. Less visible than the competition season, it nonetheless lays the foundations for performance, mental wellbeing and the horse's longevity. It is a privileged moment to work on fitness, suppleness, balance and relaxation, while respecting each horse's individual rhythm.

The different perspectives of our professional riders show that winter training is not a constraint, but a strategic opportunity: building strength, improving coordination, developing the horse-rider connection and preparing the horse for the demands of the season ahead, whether on the flat, over fences or out on course. Discover their advice, exercises and essentials for this very special time of year 👇

🔥 Winter training as seen by Gwnedolen Fer

For her, winter is a time of slowing down, or even pausing the horses' work. After the end of the season, she generally plans a month of rest. Depending on each horse's needs, this break may be complete or include a few outings to maintain muscle tone and mobility, while still being mindful of the horse's physical condition.

For her, winter is one of the most important seasons of the year. Winter training is not about immediate performance, but about the physical, mental and technical development of the horse, allowing for a calm and confident approach to the season ahead. It is a time to make progress without pressure, in a quieter environment.

A key period, not a constraint

When the competitions stop and the schedule eases, she can work without pressure, return to the fundamentals and observe her horse to adapt the training to his needs.

During this period, she focuses on:

The consistency and quality of sessions rather than their intensity
Mental work, with fewer competitions and more time to strengthen the horse–rider relationship

Progressive muscle strengthening

Muscle strengthening is approached in a thoughtful and progressive way:

Work over ground poles and cavalettis
Work in varied terrain, when conditions allow

The goal is to develop strength, stability and coordination, without overloading the horse. This work prepares the body to handle the more intense efforts of spring while reducing the risk of injury.

Maintaining fitness without overdoing it

Even when overall intensity is reduced, maintaining cardiovascular fitness remains essential. Sessions are adapted to the weather, ground conditions and the horse's mood, with comfort and wellbeing always the priority.

Building today to perform tomorrow

Winter training is often understated and less visible, but it is fundamental to everything that follows. A horse that is well prepared during winter becomes:

Physically stronger
More mentally available
More consistent in performance

Winter is therefore the time when she lays the foundations, and the competition season is when those foundations bear fruit.

The serpentine: a fundamental exercise in winter training

The serpentine is an exercise that looks simple, but proves extremely comprehensive when executed correctly. It fits perfectly into winter training, as it helps to develop suppleness, balance and straightness simultaneously. Accessible to both young horses and more experienced horses, it offers many variations to adjust the level of difficulty.

Exercise goals

Suppling the horse laterally, from the shoulders through to the haunches
Encourage balance and stability through changes of direction
Working on straightness, particularly through the transitions from one bend to the other

Technical breakdown 👇

The serpentine can be made up of three loops, but also four to five loops to increase the challenge
The curves should be smooth, with a clear, fluid and consistent line
The change of bend is made on the centre line, with a straight horse and without rushing

Throughout the exercise, the horse must maintain a steady, consistent rhythm.

Key points of the horse's outline

When a serpentine is ridden correctly:

The horse shows a slight bend adapted to the direction of the curve
The neck remains supple, without excessive bend
The shoulders remain in front of the haunches
The contact is steady and balanced on both sides, without pulling

The aim is never to force the bend, but to seek a progressive and natural curve.

Rider aids and common mistakes to avoid

The rider plays a key role in the quality of the exercise:

The inside leg supports the bend and encourages engagement
The outside leg controls the line and limits the displacement of the hindquarters
The inside rein follows the movement and supports the bend
The outside rein channels the shoulder and maintains straightness

The rider's eye and upper body follow the line and anticipate each change of curve.

Bear in mind that the serpentine quickly highlights imbalances. The most common mistakes are:

A horse that leans excessively on the inside shoulder
A bend change that is too abrupt
A loss of impulsion during transitions between curves
An imprecise or irregular line

These points should be corrected gradually, without seeking immediate perfection.

Variations and progressions

To develop the exercise further:

Introducing walk–trot or trot–walk transitions on the centre line
Reducing or enlarging the loops to adjust the difficulty
Adding ground poles on certain curves to increase engagement
Incorporating shoulder-in or haunches-in on the curves

These variations help maintain the horse's interest while respecting its physical condition.

The five-pole circle: a complete exercise in walk and trot

The five-pole circle is a highly relevant exercise for winter training. It helps to combine suppleness, coordination, engagement and regularity. Suitable for both walk and trot, it adapts easily to the level of the horse-and-rider partnership and makes an excellent muscle-strengthening exercise.

Exercise goals

This exercise aims to:

Improving the regularity of the paces
Encouraging hindquarter engagement
Developing coordination and proprioception
Working on balance along a curved track
Encouraging the horse's attention and focus

Setting up the exercise 👇

The setup consists of five poles arranged on a circle:

The poles are spaced approximately 1.20 m apart on the outer section and three feet apart on the inner section
Passes are made at walk on the inside of the circle and at trot on the outside

The circle line must be accurate to ensure fluidity and consistency throughout the exercise.

Execution at walk

In walk, the exercise allows for gentle work:

The horse maintains an active and regular walk
It teaches the horse to better control and break down its strides
Hindquarter engagement is developed progressively

Execution at trot

At trot, the exercise becomes more technical:

The rhythm should remain consistent throughout the circle
The horse must neither rush nor slow down as it approaches the poles
This exercise develops engagement and coordination
It also makes it easy to spot a horse that is drifting or losing balance through the turn

💡 Rider aids

For a good execution:

The inside leg supports the bend and the impulsion
The outside leg controls the hindquarters
The outside rein stabilises the shoulder and the line
The inside rein follows the movement without pulling

The rider's eye and upper body follow the circle to maintain a consistent line.

Key points to watch and common mistakes

Some challenges may arise:

A lateral or longitudinal imbalance
A loss of rhythm as the horse approaches the poles
An insufficiently precise line

Variations and progressions

To develop the exercise further:

Alternating walk and trot over the same set-up
Raising certain poles slightly to increase engagement
Adding transitions before or after the setup

🥰 Winter training through the eyes of Alexia Pittier

Winter training: her vision and how she organises it

Winter is an essential period in equestrian training. It is a unique time, free from the pressure of competitions, that allows you to build solid foundations for the season ahead.

1. Her approach to winter training

For her, winter training is above all a time to step back and reflect. Without the pressure of upcoming events, it becomes possible to observe, analyse and fine-tune the horse's work.

It's the ideal moment to check the fundamentals, revisit the basics and deepen certain areas.

The goal is not to chase performance at all costs, but to build: a stronger, more willing horse and a more harmonious working partnership. This quiet, sometimes unseen work is nonetheless what shapes everything that follows.

2. What is concretely put in place during this period

During winter, her routine and sessions are adapted accordingly:

Sessions focused on quality rather than intensity
A progressive approach, taking the time to warm the horse up properly
Particular attention to the physical: suppleness, balance, musculature
Increased recovery time and care, essential in cold weather

Exercise 1: Working on the horse's outline

The aim of this exercise is to vary the horse's outline over short sequences, without ever fixing it in a single position.

Setting up the exercise

You can start with simple shapes, such as a straight line or a half-circle.

For example:

A few strides in a long and low outline
Then 4 to 5 strides in an intermediate frame, with the head carriage chosen by the rider
Finally, a slightly higher and more collected outline

The key idea is never to remain too long in the same frame: four to five strides maximum. This alternation keeps the horse active, responsive and permeable to the aids.

Incorporating outline work into the serpentine

This work can be effectively incorporated into serpentines, which promote suppleness and connection.

On a three-loop serpentine, for example:

First loop in a long and low frame
Second loop in a higher, more collected outline
Third loop back in a long and low outline

This alternation allows the horse to naturally shift its balance while keeping a relaxed and supple back.

Stride variation

You can then enrich the exercise by introducing variations in stride length, always following the principle of short sequences.

On a straight line or a curve:

Four strides with more extension
Then four strides with a slight collection
Without ever losing fluidity or connection

The key to this exercise is the horse's responsiveness: it must remain attentive to the aids, free from tension or resistance.

Why this exercise is particularly valuable

This work allows:

To engage the horse's entire musculature
To improve connection and the quality of the back
To strengthen the quality of the horse-rider relationship

Simple in appearance, this exercise is in fact extremely comprehensive, particularly during the winter period.

Exercise 2: Adapting the work to the level of the horse-and-rider partnership

The work can be adapted to suit the level of both horse and rider, through a variety of lateral exercises:

Shoulder-in
Leg yield
Half-pass for more advanced partnerships

The goal is not the difficulty of the exercise itself, but what you are seeking to develop within it: short, precise and controlled variations.

Variations in stride length in lateral work

Within each lateral exercise, it is possible to incorporate variations in stride length over short sequences.

For example, in leg yield:

Asking for a few strides with greater extension
Then, in the same movement, collect slightly
Before asking for more extension again

Ground poles can be used as visual markers to help the rider structure the exercise.

This work can be carried out in walk, trot and even canter, depending on the level of the combination

Apply the same principle in shoulder-in

On a straight line, the principle remains the same. Between two markers, you can ask for:

A variation in stride length
Then a slight collection
Before asking for extension again

With highly trained horses, you can be more demanding. Otherwise, take more time to preserve suppleness, both in the horse and in the rider.

Playing with crossing and angle

In all lateral exercises, it is also possible to vary:

The degree of crossing
The angle of the movement

For example:

In shoulder-in: varying the angle
In leg yield or half-pass: more or less crossing, while maintaining a fluid and stable movement

✨ Alexia's 3 winter essentials

🧡 Winter training through the eyes of Clara Cazeneuve

Winter training: a key step in preparing for the season

Winter is an essential period in the preparation of a sport horse. Less visible than the competition season, it is nonetheless crucial for performance, longevity and the wellbeing of both horse and rider.

❄️ The importance of rest… for the rider too

Even before thinking about training, winter begins with a necessary pause.
During the season, the pace is intense and highly structured. She wears many hats: rider of young horses, competitor on the professional and international circuit with her top mares, coach to her students and support at their competitions.

The winter period is therefore essential for stepping back, taking time for yourself and returning with renewed energy and motivation.

She approaches winter training in three key phases, each with a clear objective.

1️⃣ Phase 1: the post-season break

After the competition season, the first step is the break.
Horses need time to recover physically and mentally after the sustained efforts of the season.

This phase includes:

Complete rest
Quiet hacks
A significant reduction in work intensity, tailored to each horse

The aim is to allow the horses to recharge, without excessive demands.

2️⃣ Phase 2: progressive return to work

The return to work is then made gently. Sessions are often long (over 40 minutes) but remain undemanding.

During this phase, she focuses on:

Plenty of work outdoors (walk, trot, hills)
Sessions focused on stretching and relaxation
An approach that is always positive, free from pressure or unnecessary constraint

The goal is to rebuild fitness and mental freshness, without chasing immediate performance.

3️⃣ Phase 3: returning to full training

In the final phase of winter, the demands increase progressively.

Sessions become shorter (around 30 minutes), but more focused and precise
More technical demands are reintroduced, along with greater engagement and specific preparation for the season ahead

This stage prepares the horses to meet the demands of competition again, while consolidating everything gained in the previous phases.

Two essential exercises for the winter period

1. Ground poles

Ground poles are essential tools for winter training, whether at trot or canter. They help to establish the horse's movement and work with precision on coordination, balance and hindquarter engagement.

How to ride it:

Set the poles on a straight line or a gentle curve, depending on the training goal
Varying the number of strides between the poles to work on extension or collection
Adjust the height or spacing of the poles according to the horse's level and physical condition

Benefits:

Develops coordination and regularity of the paces
Improves the horse's overall balance throughout its body
Builds engagement without causing excessive fatigue

The progressive use of ground poles keeps the work safe and motivating, even in short sessions.

2. Lungeing work

Lungeing is particularly recommended in winter, as it allows you to observe and understand the horse's movement from a different perspective than ridden work.

How to ride it:

Allowing the horse to move freely on a circle, at walk, trot or canter
Observe its movement, balance, and the relaxation of its back and neck
Using subtle aids to guide the horse without constraint

Benefits:

Helps to strengthen the horse-rider connection
Promotes a correct and relaxed way of going
Gives the horse the freedom to move with ease, while remaining attentive to the aids

Lungeing is an excellent complement to ridden work. It develops the horse's responsiveness, relaxation and muscular engagement, while respecting both physical and mental wellbeing.

✨ Clara's 3 winter essentials

😍 Winter training through the eyes of Marie Catrevault

For her, winter is an essential time to establish or strengthen the foundations of training.
Without the pressure of competition goals, it is the perfect moment to improve the horse's fitness, suppleness and balance, while protecting its mental wellbeing.

She favours a progressive, varied and quality-focused approach to prepare calmly for the season ahead.

What is actually put in place during winter

During this period, she tailors her sessions around a few simple principles:

Regular but shorter sessions
A focus on flatwork
A mix of ridden work, hacking out and groundwork
A longer and more gradual warm-up, essential in cold weather to prepare muscles and joints

The goal is to keep horses willing, relaxed and in good physical condition throughout the winter.

Exercise 1: Frequent transitions in a stable frame

Frequent transitions are a fundamental exercise in winter training. They maintain the horse's reactivity to the aids while building muscle, without excessive strain.

How to set up the exercise 💪

The exercise involves linking simple transitions:

Walk–trot–walk
Or trot–canter–trot

These transitions can be performed:

On straight lines
Or on large curves, to preserve the horse's balance and suppleness

The rider takes care to maintain a clear and consistent line, with a precise track.

🔥 Key points of execution

When riding the transitions, several elements are essential:

Maintaining a stable and consistent position, without constraining the horse
Maintaining straightness, particularly in downward transitions
Achieving clean but fluid transitions, without rushing or breaking the rhythm

The goal is not speed of execution, but the quality of the horse's response to the aids.

Benefits of the exercise

Close transitions allow:

To improve the horse's responsiveness to the aids
To improve the quality and precision of transitions
To engage the musculature in a progressive and balanced way

This exercise also encourages the horse's concentration and contributes to a more correct and stable way of going.

Exercise 2: Stride variation over ground poles

Combining stride-length variations with ground poles is a very comprehensive exercise, particularly valuable during winter. It allows you to work the horse effectively, even in shorter sessions, while remaining progressive and respectful of his physical condition.

Setting up the exercise

Set up two to three ground poles in a straight line or on a gentle curve, depending on the level of the horse and rider.

The distances between poles can be adjusted depending on:

The pace being worked
The horse's level
The horse's physical condition and natural stride length

How the exercise unfolds

The exercise consists of:

Alternating passes by varying the number of strides between the poles
Using the same set-up, ask alternately for more extension and then a slight collection

The rider adjusts their aids to guide the horse without restricting it, maintaining a fluid and consistent line.

⚠️ Key points to watch

The rhythm must remain consistent, without excessive acceleration or slowing
The horse must remain straight and balanced through the body
Variations in stride length must remain progressive and controlled

Benefits of the exercise

Stride variation over ground poles allows:

To engage the horse's whole body
To develop coordination, engagement and proprioception
To improve the quality of the paces and the horse's responsiveness

It is a particularly effective exercise for maintaining fitness and the quality of work, even in shorter sessions.

✨ Marie's 3 winter essentials

🚀 Winter training through the eyes of Maxime Livio

Winter training: the three key phases

Winter training is divided into three distinct phases, each with clear objectives to prepare the horses for the season ahead.

1. The rest period (4 to 6 weeks)

The first phase begins right after the last competition and lasts four to six weeks. It does not look the same for every horse: some enjoy complete rest in the paddock, while others follow a light programme including flatwork, hacks or short lungeing sessions.

The aim of these exercises is not to tire the horse or create tension, but to maintain the horse's muscle tone and mental wellbeing, while supporting recovery after an intense season.

2. The return to work (4 to 6 weeks)

The second period also lasts four to six weeks and corresponds to the progressive return to work.

It is built around:

Very simple flatwork exercises: fundamentals, impulsion, contact, straightness, simple transitions
Graded trotting poles, ranging from easy to moderately challenging
Jumping sessions over cavalettis or gymnastic exercises, keeping fences no higher than 1.15 m

The aim is to get the horses moving again, rebuild their foundations and gradually prepare their bodies and minds for the more demanding work ahead.

3. Building up (approximately 4 weeks)

The final phase of winter lasts approximately four weeks and is designed to prepare the horses for the first competition of the season.

During this phase:

Flatwork becomes more technical, with a focus on dressage
Jumping work increases in intensity, with slightly greater height and technical challenge
One session per week is carried out outdoors to vary the environment

For more experienced horses, outdoor sessions are often limited to the gallop track, whilst less experienced horses can alternate between the track and small cross-country courses, to rebuild confidence ahead of the first competitions.

Flatwork: true canter, counter-canter and lateral work

On the flat, work focuses mainly on canter. The exercise involves alternating between true canter and counter-canter, while varying alignments and bends. This work can be enriched by adding large leg yields, ridden with calm and fluidity.

The aim is to keep the horse balanced and responsive, whatever the bend or direction asked for. Alternating between true canter and counter-canter particularly challenges lateral suppleness, balance and the quality of hindquarter engagement.

This type of work also helps improve the quality of the canter and the horse's overall way of going, while giving the rider a wonderful sense of lightness and connection.

Jumping work: cavaletti circuit in a closed course

When jumping, the exercise is built around a closed-circuit cavaletti course. The setup is designed to be ridden in both directions without interruption, to encourage continuity of work.

The horse works through the course for around seven to eight minutes. The lines, turns and landings on both reins, combined with stride variations, gradually encourage relaxation and focus in the horse.

Repeating the exercise without chasing performance helps the horse release both mentally and physically. Gradually, it becomes more attuned to the rider's aids and grows in confidence, until it surrenders naturally into the movement.

✨ Maxime's 3 winter essentials

🤍 Winter training through the eyes of Mado Pinto

Winter training is a vital stage in the development of competition horses. For her, it spans an average of three to four months at the end of the season. It's a key moment to take stock of each horse: assessing their level and identifying their strengths, while determining the areas for improvement or new skills to develop over the winter.

Based on these goals, she puts together a tailored training programme to support consistent and lasting progress. This period also allows her to spend more time at the stables, providing the opportunity for more regular work with the young horses who are not yet competing.

Winter is also a time for recovery. The horses benefit from a few days of rest, particularly over the festive season. This break allows her to structure the work in two phases: reviewing the progress already made and defining the final goals to address before the new season begins.

✨ Mado's 3 winter essentials

Conclusion

Winter training may not be immediately visible, but it is fundamental to the success of the following season. It builds strength, develops suppleness and engagement, while protecting the horse's mental wellbeing and health.

A well-structured winter gives horses a solid foundation, greater consistency and the best possible preparation for the competitions ahead. For the rider, it is also a precious time to analyse, observe and refine their work, while deepening the relationship with each horse.

In short, winter is the season of quiet but essential groundwork, preparing both horses and riders to perform at their best.