What is the primary goal of conditioning in horses?

The primary goal of conditioning in horses is to bring a horse to a level of fitness appropriate for its job. Conditioning involves a systematic process that enhances a horse's overall physical capabilities, ensuring that it is well-prepared for the demands of its specific discipline, whether that be jumping, dressage, endurance, or any other equestrian activity. This process includes building the horse's stamina, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, all of which contribute to performance sustainability and efficiency.

While enhancing speed can be a component of a conditioning program, it is not the sole purpose, as speed without overall fitness can lead to performance issues and increased risk of injury. Similarly, while conditioning can help in the prevention of some injuries by promoting physical resilience, it doesn't guarantee the prevention of all injuries, as many factors can contribute to an injury besides fitness level. Increasing a horse's weight, on the other hand, is not a primary focus of conditioning; rather, conditioning aims to optimize a horse's body composition and fitness levels to fulfill its athletic needs effectively.