Why Hand Walking is Important for Conditioning Your Horse Especially in the Winter

Hand walking is an essential part of any training routine - especially in the winter.

Benefits include:

• Bonding time
  
• Reinforce ground manners
  
• Building confidence (think about going on a trail walk where you can help encourage your horse through new terrain by being at her side)
  
• Exercise! Horses are designed to move and nothing pleases them as much as doing what they are supposed to do. Wintertime hand walking is even a great alternative to lunging because you still get your horse moving and muscles activated without them getting into a sweat in below freezing temperatures
  
• Monitor pasture conditions. Hand walking in the pasture gives you the chance to check for fences in need of repair, holes that need filled and any other hazards.