How to recognize weak core muscles in your horse and strengthen them
Valérie De Clerck
Last updated: 21/10/2025
You know your horse better than anyone. So, when something feels “off”, shown with a hollow back, stiffness in transitions, or resistance under saddle, it’s easy to worry. Often, these signs point to a weak core, a hidden culprit behind many movement and posture problems.
The good news? With the right exercises, you can help your horse develop a stronger, more supportive core, in turn improving posture, movement, and overall well-being.
Key Signs Your Horse May Have a Weak Core
Your horse can't tell you that its core is weak, but its body language can when paying close attention. By tuning into their posture, movement, and behavior, you can spot the red flags early.
These are some of the common signs of a weak core:
Posture
Sagging or “hollow” back, loss of topline, the spine becomes visible
Movement
Stiffness, difficulty collecting, loss of balance in turns or transitions
Stance
Difficulty standing square, sinking away on one hind leg
Behavior
Restlessness when saddling/grooming, signs of pain or resistance under the saddle
These aren't signs of defiance, but a way of your horse saying it needs help. If you’re unsure whether it’s muscle weakness or actual pain, the Sue Dyson Pain Scale can be a useful tool to help distinguish between resistance and discomfort.
Keep in mind, however, that these are only guidelines and not a diagnosis: always consult your veterinarian to rule out pain or lameness before starting targeted training exercises.
How do I train my horse's core
Training your horse’s core goes beyond simple fitness, it’s about building stability, balance, and body awareness. The goal is to activate deep stabilizing muscles that support the spine and pelvis, improving your horse’s posture and movement from the inside out.
Here are some examples of exercises to build your horse's core strength:
- Pole work: walking and trotting over poles encourages abdominal lift and rhythm.
- Hill work: slow, steady walking up and down slopes strengthens both the back and hindquarters.
- Groundwork: exercises like backing up or yielding the hindquarters improve balance and proprioception.
- Balance pads: by asking your horse to stand on an unstable surface, you gently challenge coordination and strengthen deep stabilizers, much like physio exercises for people (Clayton, 2016; Dyson, 2021)
With consistency, you’ll notice real improvements: smoother transitions, a stronger topline, better posture, and a horse who feels more supple and willing under the saddle.
