Ep 215: The Importance of Conditioning
Conditioning, both physically and mentally, is one of the most pivotal things we can do to improve our chances of being successful inside the arena. In this episode, I’m sharing more about the importance of conditioning and how being disciplined in this area can create huge changes in your performance.
Conditioning in the Equation of Success
Success is where preparation and opportunity meet, and conditioning our horses and ourselves is part of this preparation process. If we are missing the conditioning piece, we will not be fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself.
Taking Control of Your Commitment to Conditioning
There are many factors within the horsemanship journey that we cannot control, but we have 100% control over our conditioning program. It costs us nothing but time, discipline and commitment. If we are disciplined and make that commitment to our conditioning program, we can show up with the most physically in-shape horse there.
Soft v. Hard Conditioning
Horses are just like athletes–they need a regular conditioning program. There is a difference between a “soft” conditioning program and conditioning for a competitive event.
Soft conditioning = regular maintenance and sustaining daily training
Hard conditioning = peak performance and sustaining high-level competition
Both types of conditioning are beneficial, but you need to make sure that your conditioning program fits the level of performance you are striving for. You can’t expect to compete at the highest level with a horse that is in mediocre shape.
The 100 Day Conditioning Challenge
We talk a lot about habits in the horsemanship journey, and conditioning is just that–it’s a habit you have to create. A great place to start with this is a 100 day challenge – disciplining yourself to improve your physical condition for 100 days. At the end of this 100 days, you are a different person physically, mentally and emotionally. Your condition changes. Your self awareness changes. Your self image changes. And, the same is true for your horse.
When a horse is physically tough, they become more mentally tough. When we are committing to improving that horse’s condition, we improve the feel, timing and balance we share with that horse as well. When strength and stamina are not a concern, we can put more attention to the little details that really matter.
Committing to Continuous Learning
“If you’re not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you’re determined to learn, no one can stop you.” – Zig Ziglar
This quote is hanging up in my office, as well as the bunkhouse, as a reminder to never stop learning. Learning is all about implementing changes based on what you’ve learned before. Conditioning is one of those areas of my horsemanship journey that I have not been excellent at in the past, but as I get older, the importance of this–both for myself and my horses–is becoming more and more evident each day. It’s an investment in yourself that has a high return, as long as you stay committed to it.
“Be Your Best Horsemanship” is brought to you by Silver Lining Herbs, Classic Equine, Martin Saddlery, Better Horses Network, Purina, Healthycoat, CINCH, Starbar, and Clarifly. These brands have been part of the Phil Haugen Horsemanship team for many years, and their products continue to play an integral role in the success of our performance horse training program. To support these brands, visit our Sponsors tab.
