For many of us, springtime heralds the beginning of warm, sunny days and the start of the competition season. As you plan your spring and summer training schedule, keep in mind that your horse’s body will need time to adjust to new demands. The way his body adapts to exercise will be affected by seasonal conditions.

Common sense and a little bit of experience can go a long way toward keeping your horse fit and sound. Monitoring your horse’s fitness and well-being by keeping track of his vital signs, weight and water consumption is a good way to gauge how well he’s responding to his training regimen. In this article we’ll explore how your horse’s body adapts to exercise training, how he acclimates to spring and summer weather conditions, and what you can do to help him perform at his best.