ABSTRACT
"Western" style training has even spread to central Europe. American-style "cutting" has become extremely popular in Australia. Conditioning requires time, which is expensive; the more skilled the personnel, the greater the expense. The high degree of specialization of equine athlete precludes the use of unskilled personnel to exercise them. Conditioning of the equine athlete has taken on new emphasis; it requires time, consistency, close attention to detail, and bulldog persistence. Swimming can aid in conditioning of the cardiovascular system and to a lesser degree the respiratory system. It also will increase development of the pectoral and gluteal muscles. Conditioning is an all-encompassing term that indicates improved physical well-being, along with increased agility or coordination. Lunging has long been used for exercise and training. It may be one of the most poorly understood and most often abused forms of exercise conditioning. Mechanical walkers are primarily used for exercise to warm up or cool out horses.
