A Weekly Horse Training Plan to Keep Your Rides Structured & Balanced

Planning your horse’s weekly training in advance is one of the best ways to stay on track, build consistency, and ensure your horse gets a well-balanced workload. A structured schedule helps prevent overtraining, keeps things interesting, and supports your long-term riding goals—whether you’re working towards competition success or simply improving your horse’s fitness and wellbeing.

This week, I’ve put together training plans for Eventing, Show Jumping, Dressage, and Western riders so you can jump into your rides with a clear plan! Save this schedule and adjust it to suit your horse’s needs.

Eventing Training Plan

Monday – Flatwork for Suppleness & Connection

Work on serpentines, shoulder-in, and counter-canter to improve flexibility and balance while maintaining a steady contact.

Tuesday – Cavaletti & Grid Work

Set up a small grid or cavaletti exercise to encourage lift and engagement without over-jumping. Keep heights low and focus on rhythm and straightness.

Wednesday – Trail Ride & Strength Work

Go for a relaxed hack, using natural terrain like hills and uneven ground to build strength and endurance.

Thursday – Rest Day

Friday – Cross-Country Focus on Footwork & Adjustability

School over ditches, banks, and water, keeping fences small while focusing on straightness and stride control.

Saturday – Dressage for Power & Expression

Work on transitions within the gait (collected to extended trot/canter), engaging the hindquarters for more impulsion.

Sunday – Groundwork & Stretching

Spend time lunging, in-hand work, or using poles to encourage relaxation and engagement from the ground.

Dressage Training Plan

Monday – Straightness & Balance

Use centerlines, leg yields, and shoulder-fore exercises to refine straightness and self-carriage.

Tuesday – Raised Poles for Strength

Incorporate walk, trot, and canter poles to improve core engagement and hind-end activation.

Wednesday – Rest Day

Thursday – Test Riding & Accuracy

Practice riding through a dressage test, focusing on precision in movements and smooth transitions.

Friday – Trail Ride & Relaxation

A long, easy ride outside the arena to give your horse a mental and physical break while keeping them active.

Saturday – Lateral Work & Collection

Work on haunches-in, half-pass, and pirouettes to refine strength, balance, and collection.

Sunday – Groundwork & Body Control

Use lunging, in-hand lateral work, or pole exercises to improve suppleness and responsiveness.

Show Jumping Training Plan

Monday – Flatwork for Control & Adjustability

Focus on stride lengthening and shortening exercises, using half-halts and transitions to build control.

Tuesday – Trail Ride & Mental Reset

Go for a hack, including a mix of walking and trotting on different terrain to keep fitness up.

Wednesday – Rest Day

Thursday – Grid Work for Technique

Set up a bounce or one-stride grid to encourage straightness, quick reactions, and improved form over fences.

Friday – Dressage for Jumping

Ride a dressage-focused session with lateral work and collection to improve balance and rideability before jumping.

Saturday – Jump Course Practice

Set up a full course and focus on maintaining a steady rhythm, planning turns, and riding smooth lines.

Sunday – Groundwork & Mobility

Lunge with side reins or work on pole exercises to build strength and body awareness.

Western Training Plan

Monday – Suppleness & Softness

Use serpentines, bending exercises, and transitions to encourage looseness and better responsiveness to aids.

Tuesday – Lead Changes & Balance

Work on clean, smooth lead changes while maintaining control and straightness.

Wednesday – Rest Day

Thursday – Trail Ride & Confidence Building

Ride outside the arena, introducing obstacles like gates, bridges, and logs to improve focus and trust.

Friday – Pattern Work & Transitions

Ride through a reining or ranch riding pattern, refining turns, stops, and transitions.

Saturday – Pole Work for Strength & Agility

Set up trot and lope poles to develop stride control, balance, and coordination.

Sunday – Groundwork & Relationship Building

Use groundwork exercises like yielding, backing, and desensitization to refine communication and trust.

Why Pre-Planned Training Schedules Are So Important

Having a structured plan helps you:

✔️ Keep your training balanced and progressive

✔️ Avoid overworking your horse while building fitness

✔️ Stay motivated and consistent in your riding

✔️ Prevent mental and physical burnout for both you and your horse

A little planning each week goes a long way in keeping you and your horse on track!