Conditioning properly

[Sam]

I am wondering how to properly condition a horse come spring. When I purchased my QH gelding last fall he had been used regularly for calf/team roping and occassionally on barrels. He was so nicely muscled and lean and I want to maintain him like that. Throughout the winter he has been out atleast once a month for a trail ride and that is it as I have no access to an indoor arena (I will be so excited when it stays light after work!!). Does anyone know how to properly start working him again to maintain and strengthen the muscles without making him sore?

[mollyr]

Trotting is really good to build muscle. I have been able to ride about twice a week and I have just been walking a trotting my horse and she has pretty nice muscles now.