How long should a typical warm-up last for a horse?

A typical warm-up for a horse should last about 10 to 15 minutes. This duration is considered ideal as it allows the horse’s muscles to gradually increase in temperature, enhancing flexibility and reducing the risk of injury. During this time, you can incorporate activities such as walking and trotting, allowing the horse to loosen up and prepare for more intense work.

A warm-up that is too short, such as 5 to 10 minutes, may not sufficiently prepare the horse’s body, potentially leading to stiffness or higher chances of strains. While a warm-up that stretches to 15 to 20 minutes is beneficial in some cases, especially for more intense training sessions, the 10 to 15 minute mark generally strikes a balance between enough preparation and maintaining the horse's energy levels for the work ahead. Too long of a warm-up, like 20 to 30 minutes, may lead to fatigue before the actual training or competition begins.