What does an exercise rider do?

A typical day for an Exercise Rider often starts early in the morning, as most training rides take place during the cooler hours before the main stable activities begin. You'll usually be responsible for warming up, exercising, and cooling down several horses under the direction of trainers, following each horse's unique training regimen. The role requires close collaboration with trainers, grooms, and sometimes veterinarians to relay information about a horse’s condition or behavior. Exercise Riders typically work outdoors in all weather conditions, making adaptability and resilience critical. Over time, proven skill and reliability can lead to riding more valuable horses or advancement to senior rider or assistant trainer positions.