Now that the barns are slowly and cautiously being allowed to open during the Covid-19 crisis and people are starting to ride their horses again, how do they bring their athletes back into shape safely and happily?

According to rider, trainer, and coach Janine Little of Little Dressage in Brockville, ON, “Fitting your horse back up post-Covid19 is going to be similar to fitting your horse back up post-winter holidays or post-injury. Many riders out there (maybe not in current times, but certainly somewhere in our riding past) have dealt with not being able to afford an indoor facility over the winter months and have had to fit their horses back up in the springtime. Many riders have also dealt with a horse that sustained an injury and had to be brought back to fitness slowly as well, so this situation will be very similar.”

Here is her systematic plan for a return to show-ready form.

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