Time for a Fresh Start - A reset for me and my horses

I absolutely love this time of year. There’s something very exciting about a New Year, the sense of a fresh start, new possibilities and the opportunity to plan and dream a little. I’m also really enjoying the days starting to lengthen again. Just that little bit of extra daylight brings such a lift, for us and our horses.

It was straight back into work after the Christmas break with a demonstration at the Horse First Conference at Hartpury. I’ll be honest, it was a slight shock to the system after holiday mode! Christmas for me isn’t so much about resting as it is about a change of pace: lots of socialising, seeing friends and family, and enjoying being busy in a different way. So launching straight into a conference in early January definitely kick-started my year. But I loved it. The Horse First theme aligns so closely with the Horses Inside Out values, and it really got me thinking about my own horses and the year ahead.

That reflection is something I always enjoy at this time of year, and 2026 is something particularly special, as we celebrate 20 years of Horses Inside Out. I’ve spent some time recently looking back at how far we have come; who doesn't love looking back at old photos? It’s also a time for looking forward, not just in terms of work and business, but also with my horses. I find this incredibly motivating. I’ve got plans for each of them, and I thought I’d share them with you in this article, hopefully, it gives you some inspiration for your own horses too.

Why having a plan matters (but keeping it realistic matters more)

I’m a big believer in having a plan, but I’ve also learned not to aim too far ahead. It’s very easy to say, “By September I want to be doing X, Y and Z”, but horses don’t always work to our timelines. Bodies take time to change and strengthen.

Instead of long-term, rigid goals, I’m focusing on shorter-term plans. For each horse I’m asking:

• What are their strengths and weaknesses?

• How is their posture and way of moving?

• What exercises in-hand and ridden will help support and improve their bodies right now?

For me, it’s not really about competition. My priority is making them as healthy, strong and comfortable as possible. If I get that right, good performance and enjoyable outings and competitions will naturally follow.

I feel incredibly lucky to be starting the year with two horses I’m really enjoying. After a journey that’s included behavioural and soundness challenges with previous horses, I’m very grateful for where we are now.

George – building strength, confidence and connection

George is going to be eight this year, but he’s a big horse and a late developer. In many ways, I still think of him physically as more like a six-year-old. Compared to my older horse Toby, he doesn’t yet have the same strength, stability or power and that’s absolutely fine. It just means our focus is very clear.

Looking at this photo, taken on new year's eve, you can clearly see the need for more muscle development particularly over his top-line.

This year, strengthening work is key for George. Hill work and pole work are going to be a regular part of his routine. The aim is for one dedicated session on each of these every week. The pole work will be on the lunge and will incorporate multiple sets of poles - trot poles, canter poles, raised poles – to really get him using his body. Think of it like taking him to the gym: sessions can be relatively short but quite intense, which is perfect for winter when time, weather and daylight can be challenging.

Alongside this, I’ll be using lots of Pilates-style exercises including:

• Wither Rock and Hindlimb lateral sway. I explain how to do these 2 exercises in a previous article - Maintaining Mobility in Your Horse.

• Slalom pole exercise, fan poles and raised walk poles

• Regular carrot stretches (which he absolutely loves!)

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One thing that really resonated with me at the Horse First conference was a reminder from Gemma Pearson about the power of gentle stroking. Stroking the horse’s neck, rather than patting, can help lower heart rate and promote relaxation. This ties in beautifully with what we know about fascia and the skin’s nerve receptors (Meissner’s corpuscles) and how different types of touch affect the nervous system.

So basically showing love to your horse will improve training quality! Taking time to stroke, nuzzle and connect with your horse isn’t just nice for us, it genuinely benefits their learning and emotional wellbeing. That’s something I want to consciously include more of in George’s work this year.

From a ridden perspective, my main focus with George is harmony and understanding. We’re working a lot on transitions within the pace and improving communication through my breathing and body.

I use a simple checklist:

• For slowing down: breathe in, sit tall, engage my core, quieten my seat and squeeze knees, voice aid and then finally use my reins if needed.

• For going forward: breathe out, allow my seat to move, open my knees voice aid and then use a leg aid if required.

I’ve talked about this in a previous article – you can read it in full here.

The lovely thing is that George is really starting to listen and respond to my breathing. I breathe out and he goes forward; I breathe in and he comes back. That connection feels incredibly special, and it has been well worth taking the time to really focus on these basics and deepen that bond.

Toby – refining straightness and enjoying progress

Toby is feeling fabulous, he’s 14 this year – I can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone.

My aim for Toby is to get out towards the end of winter and do some Advanced Medium dressage, and to continue building confidence and consistency in show jumping at around 1.10m and beyond.

Ridden Exercises for Toby

Straightness is our big focus; he has a natural tendency for his hindquarters to go to the right. I’m using a number of exercises in all three gaits to improve this. I’m also finding the arena mirrors invaluable in helping me to check in on our straightness.

As I’m riding I’ll check that I can ask for inside flexion or outside flexion and his shoulders and hindquarters stay straight on both reins, in all paces whether I’m riding a straight or curved line.

This work underpins everything, especially advanced lateral work and flying changes, so it’s time very well spent.

Groundwork and Pilates Exercises The new year brings an opportunity for renewed focus with these exercises to support his body and posture. In particular:

• Regular massage over his back and hindquarters

• Back lifts

• Carrot stretches

• Raised poles

• Backing up, especially up a gentle slope, which is fantastic for strength and coordination

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Also, as with George, just spending time together, supporting his body while also reinforcing our partnership.

Choosing your attitude

One final thought that really stayed with me, came from Lucinda Green at the Horses First conference: “Choose your attitude.” I love that. It applies to business, to life, and to how we are with our horses.

As we head into a new year, we can choose an attitude of patience, curiosity, kindness and positivity. We can choose to focus on progress rather than perfection, and on supporting our horses’ bodies and minds as they develop.

Here’s to a fresh start, clear focus, and enjoying the journey with our horses; one step, one exercise at a time.