There are few things more invigorating than feeling the benefits of quality training and enjoying the results, but sadly, many horses’ careers are put on hold due to respiratory problems like heaves (aka Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, or COPD). I suggest a few exercises here that you can work on during the bad spells that exercise the mobility and encourage the engagement of a horse without stressing the lungs. (Also, these work well in winter time to prevent sweating up and are great for warm-ups before going in the show ring without tiring them out.)

These are exercises I use on my own horse, for he, too, is a horse with an upper-respiratory problem whose condition can rear its ugly head so bad so fast that it devastates our progressive training schedule. His coughing sounds painful and the debilitation that has ensued leaves him short of breath far sooner than any average horse.

As hopeless as it feels, there are ways to work around mild to moderate cases using low-impact exercises that encourage flexibility and suppleness at the walk so that no matter how short the trot work-out may be, you will get more out of it without stressing the lungs.