10 min read Last updated: January 2026 Storms, sideways rain and frozen arenas derailing your winter schooling? Use this storm-proof groundwork plan to keep fitness, suppleness and focus ticking along with longer warm-ups and 20-minute, walk-based sessionsthink halts, rein backs and 34 pole patternsso you maintain strength and confidence without risking slick footing. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Walk-Based Groundwork What To Do: Switch to in-hand walk with clear halts, straight rein backs and gentle lateral flexions; add a few walk-over poles if footing allows. Why It Matters: Maintains fitness and focus safely when the ground is slick. Common Mistake: Using faster gaits or tight turns on greasy surfaces. Area: 20-Minute Routine What To Do: Do 20 minutes most days: active in-hand walk, lunge transitions, walk-over poles, then cool down with a couple of baited stretches. Why It Matters: Little-and-often preserves baseline fitness and posture. Common Mistake: Skipping all work until the weather improves. Area: Transition Training What To Do: Ride or handle frequent, crisp walkhaltwalk; add a few steps of rein back, then progress to walktrotwalk only on safe footing and reward promptly. Why It Matters: Builds strength, balance and attention without needing large spaces. Common Mistake: Rushing sloppy transitions or hauling on the reins instead of preparing the step. Area: Walk Pole Work What To Do: Use single poles, straight lines of 34 and fan poles in walk; keep it straight, slow and with a lowered neck, and keep reps short. Why It Matters: Challenges proprioception and core without speed-related risk. Common Mistake: Trotting poles or drilling too many repetitions on questionable footing. Area: Longer Winter Warm-up What To Do: Extend to 1520 minutes of progressive walk, large figures and easy transitions before asking for more; stay in walk if the arena is frozen. Why It Matters: Warms muscles and reduces strain in cold temperatures. Common Mistake: Limiting to a quick 510 minutes or sneaking in trot on hard ground. Area: Stable/Yard Exercises What To Do: In a stable aisle, practise rein back, thoracic lifts, ribcage bends, leg lifts, tail pulls and carrot stretches with calm, precise handling. Why It Matters: Keeps the horse supple and engaged when riding isnt possible. Common Mistake: Forcing range of motion or ignoring straightness and posture. Area: Route & Resource Planning What To Do: Pre-map firm, sheltered routes; book indoor arenas or horsewalker slots early; note which areas drain well after storms. Why It Matters: Solid plans keep training consistent despite foul forecasts. Common Mistake: Waiting for a storm before arranging alternatives. Area: Storm Kit & Gear What To Do: Keep a grab-and-go kit (headcollar, lunge line, two poles, hoof pick, low-value treats) and use hi-vis, a fitted helmet, suitable rugs and leg protection. Why It Matters: The right kit lets you pivot fast and stay safe in poor conditions. Common Mistake: Heading out without visibility or using the wrong rug weight for the weather. In This Guide When storms cancel your ride, do this today 20-minute sessions that actually maintain fitness Use transitions: your winter superpower Safe challenge on slick footing: walk pole work Warm up longer in winter Indoor, stable and yard options that work Plan UK winter routes and resources now Kit that makes stormproof training easier Storms, sideways rain and frozen arenas dont have to derail your horses progress. With a smart winter plan, you can keep fitness, suppleness and focus ticking along safely until the weather clears.Key takeaway: When storms cancel riding, switch to longer winter warm-ups and short, consistent groundwork especially walk-based pole work and transitions to maintain strength, suppleness and confidence without risking slick footing.When storms cancel your ride, do this todaySwitch to walk-based groundwork with halts, back-ups and stretching, because it maintains fitness safely when the ground is slick. Add a few ground poles at the walk for focus and proprioception without speed.Rain and blown-out arenas are a reality of UK winters. On wet or greasy surfaces, faster gaits and tight turns add unnecessary risk; the safer alternative is deliberate walk work. In-hand sessions with correct posture think clear halts, straight rein backs and gentle lateral flexions keep joints moving, core muscles engaged and the mind on you. If your yard has a strip of firm footing, lay down a few poles and step through in walk, letting the horse lower the neck and take a longer step. This is exactly the sort of day where little and often wins.Use the extra time under cover to groom and mobilise. Thorough currying and massage-style grooming support circulation and relaxation before you start. Our customers often combine bad-weather days with a deeper tidy-up using tools from our grooming range and finish with a few treat-led carrot stretches to release the topline.20-minute sessions that actually maintain fitnessYes 20 minutes of consistent in-hand conditioning, lunging or pole work on most days is enough to maintain baseline fitness until normal work resumes. The principle is little and often, not total rest.Even on the worst weather days, a focused 20-minute session adds up over a week. Aim for: 5 minutes: Active in-hand walk with changes of bend, large circles and a few quality halts. 8 minutes: Transitions on the lunge (walktrotwalk), prioritising rhythm, balance and prompt reactions; protect legs with appropriate boots from our horse boots and bandages selection. 5 minutes: Walk-over poles in hand, encouraging a long, low frame and deliberate foot placement. 2 minutes: Cool-down walk and a couple of slow baited stretches.Rotate this with a pure groundwork day (rein back, carrot stretches, ribcage bends, thoracic lifts and gentle tail pulls) in a stable aisle or firm yard. Over a fortnight of bad weather, youll see the difference in posture, attention and ease once youre back under saddle.Quick tip: Keep a storm kit by the door headcollar, lunge line, two poles, hoof pick, and a few low-value treats from our treats collection so you can pivot fast when the forecast turns.Use transitions: your winter superpowerTransitions build strength, attention and balance without needing large spaces, making them one of the most valuable winter training tools.Frequent, correct transitions accumulate strength in the hindquarters and improve self-carriage, even at the walk. Mix walkhaltwalk; add a few steps of rein back to re-engage; then progress to walktrot and trotwalk on the lunge or in-hand long reining if you have a safe, non-slip surface. This format keeps the brain busy and the body warm without long stretches of faster work on questionable footing. Suppleness is your foundation in winter. If the horse feels loose and relaxed, everything else becomes easier. Pauliina Swindells, via Horslyx guidance (read more)At Just Horse Riders, we recommend counting out even beats and rewarding each prompt, straight transition with a soft voice or a scratch clarity and calm repetition are your allies when the weather curtails bigger schooling plans.Safe challenge on slick footing: walk pole workUse ground poles at the walk to challenge proprioception and core strength while avoiding speed on slick ground. Keep it slow, straight and methodical.When the surface isnt secure enough for trot or canter, poles become your best low-risk gym equipment. Try: Single pole mindful steps step over, halt, rein back two steps, step forward and stand again. Three to four poles in a straight line walk through with a relaxed neck, then repeat on a shallow serpentine to change bend. Fan poles lead (or ride in walk if safe) through the wider arc first, then shorten the steps slightly by taking a line nearer the centre.Keep repetitions short and purposeful. If youre riding in walk only, use a neck-lowering stretch between efforts. Boots or bandages protect fetlocks and cannons if you tap poles; explore options in our horse boots and bandages collection.Warm up longer in winterIn cold weather, extend your warm-up well beyond the usual 510 minutes; take significantly longer with progressive walk work, circles and transitions before asking for more.Muscles and connective tissues are less elastic in low temperatures. A longer, layered warm-up improves comfort and reduces the chance of strains. Begin with purposeful in-hand or ridden walk on a long rein, add large circles and shallow loops, then sprinkle in lots of easy transitions before you think about any collected work. This approach matches British Eventing guidance that winter warm-ups should be notably longer, not just a quick 510 minutes. Signs youre there: a swinging back, freer shoulder, longer stride and a softer chew on the bit.Pro tip: If your arena is frozen and only safe for walk, keep it that way dont be tempted into trot. You can still achieve a productive session at the walk with poles, lateral positioning and frequent, precise transitions.Indoor, stable and yard options that workWhen ground is frozen or waterlogged, lunging, long reining, in-hand pole work and targeted stretching keep your horse supple and engaged without ridden work.If you have access to an indoor school, make it your low-impact headquarters for transitions, poles and long reining. No indoor? A stable aisle or covered yard is enough for: Rein back with correct diagonal steps and a light pelvic tilt. Thoracic lifts (gentle pressure behind the girth line to raise the back). Ribcage bends and neck extensions (carrot stretches to shoulder, hip and between the knees). Leg lifts and slow tail pulls for balance awareness.Many UK livery yards limit winter turnout; in those cases, a mechanical horsewalker is a useful tool for steady, low-impact movement on days you cant ride or lead out. Riding schools also commonly modify lesson timing, intensity and content in poor weather a sensible welfare-first model to mirror in your own plan.For stabled days, combine grooming with mobilising stretches for a double win on comfort and connection. A clean, comfortable horse warmed by a good groom generally offers better posture and focus once you begin. For warm, dry rest after work, consider appropriately weighted stable rugs.Plan UK winter routes and resources nowPre-plan rain-proof routes, indoor arena access and horsewalker options before winter hits; youll train more consistently when the forecast turns foul.Scout your area for firm tracks, lightly cambered lanes and sheltered bridleways that drain well; ask yard mates for those hidden dry options that only locals know. Keep roadwork slow and visible on gloomy afternoons with proper hi-vis for riders, pair it with a well-fitted riding helmet and supportive horse riding boots for your own grip and safety. If you must hack over boggy ground, limit it to once weekly to protect your horses legs and shoes, and prioritise a firmer route the rest of the time.Book indoor arenas ahead of weather bombs and pencil in alternatives (e.g., long reining or pole patterns you can do in a yard). If your yard or a nearby facility has a horsewalker, arrange access early winter slots go quickly.Quick tip: Throughout the winter, note which fields, lanes and arenas hold up best after heavy rain or a frost. Build a go-to list on your phone with conditions, daylight and travel time so decisions are easy on stormy days.Kit that makes stormproof training easierThe right kit keeps you safe, your horse comfortable and your sessions productive when the weather turns against you. Weather-ready rugs: Waterproof, breathable turnout rugs for sodden days; cosy stable rugs post-work to maintain warmth as temperatures drop. Leg protection: Brushing and overreach boots from our horse boots and bandages collection for lunging, pole work and horsewalker use. Visibility and rider safety: Stay seen in low light with hivis and protect your head with certified riding helmets. Grooming and massage: Use our grooming tools to warm muscles and support relaxation before groundwork. Training motivation: Low-sugar rewards from our treats selection make carrot stretches, clicker work and desensitisation sessions more engaging.At Just Horse Riders, we hand-pick winter essentials that endure UK conditions, from durable rug brands to protective boots that stand up to daily pole work. If youre unsure which weight rug suits your horse on a cold, wet day, our team can help you narrow it down quickly based on clip, condition and stable routine.Conclusion: keep the momentum when the weather wont playBad weather doesnt mean lost training. Shift to walk-first sessions, lean on transitions and poles, and extend your warm-up. Mix in stretching, desensitisation and grooming on stabled days and plan routes and resources before the next storm. With a consistent little and often rhythm, your horse stays fit, supple and confident ready to pick up right where you left off when the sun returns.FAQsIs it safe to ride in heavy rain?Yes riding in rain can be valuable real-world training, helping horses accept wet footing and unexpected conditions they might meet at competitions. The caveat is safety: if the ground is slick, skip faster work and stick to walk-based training and simple pole patterns. For roadwork in downpours or low light, wear proper hivis and a well-fitted riding helmet.How much exercise does my horse need when I cant ride?Any movement is better than none. Even 20 minutes of consistent in-hand conditioning, lunging or pole work done most days maintains fitness. Think little and often: two to three short groundwork or lunge sessions midweek and a longer indoor-school session at the weekend if available.Can groundwork really maintain my horses fitness?Absolutely. In-hand pole work, lunging with transitions, carrot stretches and correctly ridden rein back maintain mobility, core strength and attention. Transition work in particular builds strength, balance and focus without needing big schooling spaces.Whats the safest way to warm up in winter?Take significantly longer than the usual 510 minutes used in warm weather. Start with active walk, add large figures and gentle lateral positioning, then progressive transitions before any collected work. Watch for a swinging back and longer stride before you ask for more.Should I use a mechanical horsewalker in winter?Yes, when turnout is limited and hacking is unsafe, a horsewalker provides useful low-impact, consistent movement. Use protective boots from our horse boots and bandages collection and keep sessions steady rather than fast.Can I do meaningful training in the yard or stable?Definitely. You can practice rein back, pelvic tilts, thoracic lifts, leg lifts, tail pulls and baited stretches in a stable aisle. Add simple desensitisation (new objects and sounds introduced calmly) and clicker-style behaviours, rewarding with small treats from our treats range.What if a cool spell suddenly turns hot how should I adjust work?The British Horse Society highlights that when temperatures jump (e.g., 15C to 25C), horses need time to adapt; full acclimatisation to heat takes a minimum of two weeks of regular daily exercise. In a sudden warm spell, reduce intensity, ride earlier or later in the day, extend cool-downs and build back up gradually. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Boots & BandagesShop Grooming KitShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop Horse Treats