With all the holiday festivities, it may be difficult to stay focused on a riding plan and to set meaningful goals. In this issue, riders, trainers and veterinarians share simple conditioning exercises to help get you and your horse through the winter season so you can more easily step into spring.

Maintain conditioning by:

• activating your horse’s back and neck muscles with carrot stretches.
• strengthening your horse’s stifles through stretching.
• hand-walking your horse up and down hills.

PLUS, Emma Ford, professional groom and co-author of World-Class Grooming, shares 10 blanketing tips to keep your horse warm and safe in winter.

This Practical Horseman Extra is brought to you by