Development Conditioning

There are lots of reasons to invest in a structured conditioning routine for your horse, regardless of what their day job is:

· coming out of a slow season, e.g. from winter to spring

· rebuilding strength and condition after an extended period of time off, whether due to injury or circumstance

· improving and softening the gait, topline, pelvis or poll

· general athletic capacity

Whether a top-level athlete, trail buddy or retired, there are indisputable benefits to keeping a horse in good athletic fitness. Additionally, structured, consistent conditioning programs can help shed light on situations in which a horse just doesn’t seem right:

· sudden increased spookiness

· inability to perform specific physical asks, such as leads, lateral gaits or unidirectional traveling

· repeated injury

· postural issues

Any new fitness program should be designed appropriately and performed slowly and deliberately, with a focus on form over function. Much like a human training for their first marathon, horses can develop strains and injuries if we ask too much too soon. Many of the most effective exercises for developing strength are subtle, and it can be difficult to notice when they’re performed correctly, or even if a horse is unable to perform them at all.

A strong fitness regime should, in the first instance, include input from your veterinarian and, in some cases, your farrier. Once cleared for soundness and health to proceed, Skeleton Key Equine is able offer horses and their owners comprehensive suggestions for longer term fitness regimes. These curricula are performed either directly by Siv, or through coaching owners to perform exercise themselves. In some instances, these sessions can be provided via online classes. They incorporate proprioceptive groundwork, and proprioceptive bodywork, in-hand work, and ultimately, work under saddle*. They are designed for a minimum of four weeks depending on the initial state of the horse. Owners are asked to commit to an agreed length of time, and to sign a memorandum of understanding that effective conditioning can move slowly. After an initial assessment by Siv, curricula are tailored specifically to the horse’s needs. Clients are asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding before entering into a curriculum, an example of which can be found here.

Development Conditioning Curriculum:
Initial assessment (allow for 45 minutes to 1.5hrs):

$70 ($74.81 with GRT) within 20 miles of Santa Fe, NM

$80 ($85.50 with GRT) 20 miles+ outside of Santa Fe, NM

Curriculum design:

No charge

Classes:

2x sessions per week: $140 per week ($149.63 with GRT)
3x sessions per week: $195 per week ($208.41 with GRT)
(Contact me for pricing for more than 3 sessions per week)

n.b. I’m committed to keeping this work accessible. Please contact me if you need to discuss sliding scale or package prices.

Payment:

This is a mobile service and Siv will travel to your home, barn or local public arena. Owner is responsible for informing necessary parties that sessions will be taking place.

If you pay with cash or check, GRT will not be added as there are no processing fees.

Venmo: @skeletonkeyequine
Paypal: @skeletonkeyequine
If you prefer, I can also invoice you via your email address. 

*any provided saddle/equipment must be deemed to fit correctly and be appropriate for purpose before working under saddle