Description

🐴 Episode Summary:

Spring is finally here, and that means it's time to knock the mud off your boots and get back in the saddle. But is your horse ready? In this episode of Rochester Trail Riders, Lindsay walks you through the key areas to focus on when bringing your horse back into trail condition after a winter break. From rebuilding physical strength to improving coordination and mental readiness, this episode is your practical guide to making the transition safe and successful.

Whether your horse is acting like a sleepy potato or a fire-breathing dragon, this one’s for you.

🧭 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why a spring tune-up is essential—even for horses in light winter work
• How to gradually rebuild your horse’s strength and stamina
• Arena-based exercises to improve balance, coordination, and confidence
• Mental training strategies to ease spooky or distracted horses back into trail mode
• How to prevent injuries and monitor for soreness
• Real-life obstacle ideas you can set up at home or in the arena
• A weekly challenge to help you take action now

🏇 This Week’s Rider Challenge:

Pick one thing from today’s episode and put it into action. Maybe it’s:

• Setting up ground poles in the arena
• Planning a short conditioning ride
• Introducing your horse to a tarp, a bridge, or tying for a mid-ride break
• Doing groundwork or lunging before your next ride

Be intentional. Observe how your horse responds and make adjustments based on their needs. Tag @rochestertrailriders or share your story in the comments—we want to cheer you on!

📝 Resources & Links:

• Learn about all our local trails at https://www.RochesterTrailRiders.com
• Join the New York State Horse Council to support trail advocacy: https://www.nyshc.org

🐎 Subscribe & Share:

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a barn buddy and leave a review—it helps other riders discover the show and keeps the trail talk going strong.
 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates and extra tips.

Rochester Trail Riders
https://www.rochestertrailriders.com