Once you are the owner of a horse, it is very important that you give him the proper amount of exercise to keep his strength up. Horses need to keep their muscles loose and limber and daily walks and rides are a great way to do it.

Many horses do not get enough exercise and on the occasions that they do, they get over-exercised which can lead to torn ligaments and bowed tendons. Also, all horses need different amounts of exercise. Young horses need more than older horses and the older horses need a little warming up in the form of walking before they are exercised.

Most importantly you need to design an exercise program for your horse's individual needs. Be sure not to overwork your horse. If he has been standing in a stable for the better part of a day, you don't want to run him immediately, start off walking and then trotting to get him warmed up. Horses that have been stabled or corralled for a number of days; they to will need warming up.

Work your horse daily and if you can't, find someone that can work with your horse for just a short period of time when you can't. Even an hour of brisk walking will do most horses good and work to help keep them fit and their muscles in good shape.