Striking the balance between peak performance and soundness

In a world of precision breeding, state-of-the-art conditioning, and elite-level competition, equine athletes are arguably fitter than ever before. But a growing number of veterinarians and riders are asking: is there such a thing as too fit? And could over-conditioning be quietly compromising the long-term soundness of our sport horses?

With increasing evidence of micro-injury, burnout, and soundness challenges in high-performance horses, the spotlight is turning to how we condition — and whether our current systems are tipping the balance from preparation into overtraining.

This article unpacks the science of equine conditioning, the dangers of overtraining, and how top riders and vets are learning to toe the line between performance and preservation.

What is conditioning?

Conditioning is the strategic process of developing a horse’s cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal strength, and mental readiness for sport. But it’s not just about doing more — it’s about doing it right.

Effective conditioning follows key principles:

• Progressive loading: increasing intensity gradually to allow tissue adaptation
• Specificity: tailoring the programme to the demands of the discipline
• Recovery time: essential for tendon, ligament, and bone regeneration
• Variation: reducing repetitive strain through cross-training

“Tendons take six to nine months to fully adapt to new loads. It’s easy to build muscle faster than the supporting structures can cope,” explains Dr. Kevin Haussler of Colorado State University.

A well-conditioned horse is not just fit — he’s resilient. Over-conditioning, however, pushes a horse beyond healthy adaptation and opens the door to injury.

Conditioning vs. over conditioning

Conditioning is the process of preparing a horse’s body for the demands of its discipline. Done correctly, it improves cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal strength, and mental focus. But over conditioning occurs when the physical preparation exceeds what is beneficial, leading to strain, stiffness, or subclinical injuries.

“Too much conditioning without adequate recovery increases the risk of repetitive strain injuries, especially to tendons and ligaments.”
— Dr. Hilary Clayton from the lecture series, Equestrian Sports Science, and FEI educational presentations

Did you know?

Fitness can mask injury.

Elite horses are masters of compensation. Their high level of conditioning can actually conceal lameness or discomfort.

“We are seeing horses that are lame but are still competing successfully because they are so fit and have adapted their way of going,” says equine lameness expert Dr. Sue Dyson.

In such cases, adrenaline, muscle tone, and sheer willpower allow the horse to power through until the problem becomes undeniable. This is especially common in showjumpers and eventers, where speed and intensity can override subtle physical cues.

The science

Emerging research suggests that:

• Excessive repetitive exercise, particularly on hard or deep surfaces, increases the risk of microdamage in tendons and bones.
• High-speed work done too frequently contributes to subclinical injuries, which may not show up until a horse becomes lame.
• Horses undergoing constant high-intensity training may experience chronic, low-grade inflammation, which can delay recovery between sessions.

“Elite horses can compensate well and hide signs of fatigue, but repetitive microtrauma is a big risk when they’re overworked.”
— Dr. Kevin Haussler, 2019, AAEP Convention presentation 

Discipline-specific demands

The demands of the sport vary according to discipline, and overtraining tends to take different forms depending on the ultimate goals.

In the case of showjumpers, fitness is often maintained at a high level year-round with a heavy emphasis on strength and coordination. Overtraining in the showjumping context tends to be a function of too much jumping and too much gymnastic work, which can lead to sore backs, bones and tendon and ligament strain.

On the other hand, dressage horses tend to be less aerobically fit but are subjected to significant repetitive loading, especially in collected work and lateral movements. Overtraining in these horses tends to involve too many high-level movements being practised too frequently or on less-than-ideal surfaces. These horses are particularly vulnerable to suspensory ligament injuries.

Finally, in the context of eventing, especially at the top levels, riders must walk a fine line between cardiac fitness and soft tissue breakdown due to the long gallops and harder ground.

“Subchondral bone fatigue is a silent but significant problem in over-trained horses, and fitness does not prevent it.”
— Dr. Chris Whitton, University of Melbourne 

Spotting the signs of over-conditioning

Signs of over-conditioning include:

• Decreased performance despite intense work
• Stiffness or reluctance under saddle that lingers after the warm-up
• Slower recovery after work (increased heart or respiratory rate)
• Chronic low-grade inflammation in the form of heat and swelling that comes and goes
• Tendon or ligament sensitivity
• Loss of muscle tone or topline (due to fatigue, not low work levels)
• Behavioural changes including resistance, dullness or increased spookiness

Rider perspectives

Top riders are increasingly aware that more is not always better:

“I never work horses for more than 45 minutes. They don’t need to be drilled for hours — you get a fresher, happier horse when you don’t overdo it.”
— Carl Hester (GBR – Olympic Dressage Rider) from FEI interviews and Horse & Hound masterclass coverage

“We’ve all made the mistake of trying to get one ‘extra bit’ of fitness into a horse that was already ready — and it backfires more often than not.”
— Andrew Nicholson (NZL – Olympic Eventer), Eventing Nation interviews

“Our job isn’t just to get them fit for the next competition — it’s to keep them sound for the seasons ahead.”
— William Fox-Pitt (GBR – Olympic Eventer), Burghley Horse Trials commentary

One of the best ways to prevent over-conditioning is to introduce variety into your horse’s programme. This reduces repetitive strain and keeps the horse mentally engaged.

Effective cross-training options include:

• Hill work (for hind end strength without joint stress)
• Pole work and cavalletti (coordination and balance)
• Liberty or groundwork sessions (for mental stimulation)
• Aqua treadmills or swimming (cardio without impact)
• Long hacks or pasture rest (recovery and relaxation)

“It’s not just about making them fitter — it’s about keeping them sound,” says Ingrid Klimke. “That means variety, recovery days, and listening carefully to small changes.”

Rider responsibility

Sadly, in the high-performance world of equestrian sport, it’s easy to get caught in the mindset of ‘more is better.’ But increasingly, top riders are recognising that restraint in training can be just as important. Horses don’t have the voice to say when they’re sore or mentally tired — and that’s where rider responsibility becomes critical.

“The older I get, the more I realise that keeping a horse sound is about what you don’t do as much as what you do,” says Olympic showjumper Beezie Madden, echoing a sentiment shared by many top professionals.

Riders must learn to interpret subtle changes in behaviour or movement, and to resist the temptation to push a horse that’s already prepared. That means prioritising long-term soundness over short-term results, advocating for recovery time, and tailoring each training plan to the individual horse, not just the competition calendar.

At its core, this responsibility is about empathy and horsemanship. Conditioning must serve the horse, not override it.

Have we changed too much too fast?

Twenty years ago, horses competed less often, spent more time turned out, and had longer off-seasons. Today, many sport horses live in stalls, train year-round, and are expected to peak repeatedly over a season.

The result? Higher levels of fitness, but potentially more wear-and-tear, stress injuries, and shorter careers — unless managed with care.

As sports science has improved, so has our understanding of how to build an athlete. Now the challenge is to use that knowledge to also protect the horse, not just push performance boundaries.

Balancing act

A four-part approach to designing a training programme is recommended:

1. Train to the individual – not all horses need the same volume.
2. Use objective monitoring – like heart rate recovery and gait analysis to assess readiness.
3. Factor in footing – deep sand or hard ground adds strain even at low speed.
4. Listen to the horse – behaviour and subtle changes in performance often speak first.

The bottom line

The modern sport horse is a remarkable athlete, but it’s up to us to make sure their fitness enhances longevity, not shortens it. The smartest conditioning programmes are those that combine science, sensitivity, and rest, keeping horses not just at the top of their game, but there for years to come.