Horse performance is not solely based on the quality of training, genetic aptitude or technical skill. It is part of a holistic approach in which physical, mental and emotional balance play a decisive role. Today, the concept of equine wellbeing has become a central pillar of sustainable performance. In this context, equine wellbeing professionals have become key players in supporting horses used for sport, leisure or work, working alongside veterinarians, farriers, osteopaths and trainers. Their work has a clear objective: to enable horses to reach their full potential, while respecting their integrity and longevity.
Preserving physical integrity and quality of movement
The first lever of performance is based on the horse’s body itself.
Muscle tension, stiffness, postural imbalances or fascial restrictions can quickly impact movement and, ultimately, athletic ability.
Equine wellness professionals use a variety of appropriate manual techniques, such as massage, myofascial release and gentle mobilisation, to restore harmony to the body.
Their actions help to promote: • greater range of motion,
• smoother and more symmetrical locomotion,
• better posture under the saddle,
• the prevention of muscular compensation,
• a reduction in the risk of injury.
A horse freed from physical tension gains flexibility, propulsion and physical availability. It can then respond more precisely to the rider’s demands and optimise its performance, whatever its discipline.
Understanding how a horse’s muscles work is essential for adapting care, work and recovery. For professionals and owners alike who wish to deepen their knowledge, the study of equine myology provides a valuable foundation. Julia Prével’s book on equine myology explores in detail the muscular anatomy of the horse and its implications for locomotion and performance.
Optimising recovery and supporting sporting longevity
Like any athlete, horses suffer the effects of repeated exertion: muscle fatigue, micro-trauma, congestion, soreness, etc.
Without appropriate support, these imbalances can become permanent and harm their sporting career. Equine wellness sessions play an essential role in post-exercise recovery.
They help to:
• improve blood and lymphatic circulation,
• promote the elimination of toxins,
• reduce muscle tension,
• accelerate tissue regeneration,
• limit premature wear and tear on the body.
By incorporating these treatments into the horse’s regular care routine, we optimise its ability to perform consecutive training sessions or competitions, while preserving its physical capital. This preventive approach directly contributes to prolonging the horse’s sporting career and maintaining its performance level over time.
Supporting mental and emotional balance
Equine wellbeing is not limited to the body. A horse’s mental and emotional state greatly influences its behaviour, concentration and learning ability.
A horse that is physically uncomfortable may develop:
• irritability,
• defensiveness under the saddle,
• loss of engagement,
• attention disorders,
• or even oppositional behaviour.
The work of an equine wellbeing professional has a profound effect on this overall balance.
Using relaxation and release techniques, they help to:
• reduce stress,
• ease emotional tension,
• improve mental availability,
• reinforce the horse’s sense of security.
A relaxed horse that is comfortable in its body becomes more consistent in its work, more attentive and more cooperative. The horse-rider relationship is also strengthened, promoting more subtle and harmonious communication.
Working in synergy with other equine professionals
Equine wellness professionals never work in isolation.
They are part of a collective approach to promoting the health and performance of horses.
Their complementary perspective allows them to observe subtle signs that are sometimes invisible to the untrained eye:
• localised stiffness,
• muscular asymmetries,
• areas of sensitivity,
• changes in attitude,
• decreased locomotor engagement.
These observations can be shared with other professionals: veterinarians, osteopaths, equine dentists, saddle fitters or trainers.
This coordination makes it possible to:
• refine the monitoring of the horse,
• adapt workloads,
• ensure safe preparation for competitions,
• intervene early before the onset of pathologies.
Equine welfare then becomes a real team effort, in the service of reasoned and sustainable performance
Promoting sustainable and ethical performance
Expectations in the equestrian world are changing.
Performance is no longer measured solely by sporting results, but also by how they are achieved. Respect for the horse, its pace and its physical integrity is now a given.
Equine welfare professionals actively contribute to this more ethical approach to riding, which seeks to:
• prevent rather than cure,
• listen to the horse’s signals,
• adapt the work to its abilities,
• preserve its long-term health.
In this modern approach, performance stems from wellbeing: it is no longer achieved at the expense of wellbeing. A horse that is comfortable in its body and mind is naturally more efficient, more consistent and more durable in its discipline.
In short
Equine wellbeing professionals are now essential players in the overall performance of horses.
By working on:
• physical comfort,
• quality of movement,
• recovery,
• mental balance,
• prevention of disorders,
It allows the horse to express its full potential, while respecting its health and longevity.
Integrating equine welfare into the regular monitoring of a horse means choosing sustainable, responsible performance that is aligned with the current values of the equestrian world.