After a work session, a competition or even a more sustained ride, your horse may show signs of stiffness or discomfort. Like us, he may suffer from soreness.
These benign muscular aches and pains are commonplace, but they can impact on his well-being and performance if not properly managed. So how can you recognize them, prevent them and, above all, help your horse recover well?
What is muscle soreness in horses?
Muscle soreness is due to small lesions in the muscle fibers, often caused by intense, unusual or ill-prepared effort.
They result in:
– muscle stiffness ;
– reluctance to move or perform certain movements;
– a change in behavior (nervousness, slowness, refusal to work);
– muscles that are tense or painful to the touch.
Be careful not to confuse them with a more serious injury (muscle strain, tear). If the pain is severe or persistent, it’s best to consult a vet.
Why do they happen?
The most frequent causes:
– too intense an effort, without progressive preparation ;
– a sudden change of pace, after a rest period for example;
– poor adaptation of work to the horse’s morphology;
– insufficient warm-up or cool-down.
In other words, even with good training, errors in effort management can lead to soreness.
How can we promote muscle recovery in horses?
Recovery is essential to prevent soreness from setting in and to enable the horse to regain comfort.
Active rest
Positive reinforcement is an eZective approach to building a healthy relationship with your horse. The idea is to reward desired behaviors instead of punishing bad ones.
This can be achieved by :
– treats (in moderation and adapted to the horse’s needs) ;
– petting and scratching in places he likes;
– a soothing voice and encouragement.
In this way, the horse assimilates the experience as a positive sensation and understands what is expected of him.
Warming up and calming down
Always start each session with a progressive warm-up (walk, light trot, easing). And
finish with a few minutes of gentle work to relax the muscles.
Hydration and nutrition
A well-hydrated and well-fed horse recovers better. Water must be available at all times, and the diet balanced, with a good supply of proteins, magnesium and potassium. Supplements can be useful as needed.
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Massages and stretching
Massage helps relax muscles and boost circulation. Gentle stretching (guided by a professional or after training) is also highly beneficial after
exercise.
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Thermotherapy
Heat, used wisely, can help release tension.
Be careful, though: not right after exercise. We wait several hours, or even the next day, before applying heat (hot bath, heated blanket…).
Support from the equine veterinarian
If soreness is frequent or severe, a veterinarian can suggest a suitable treatment (anti-inflammatories, electrotherapy, osteopathy…).
Horse soreness: prevention rather than cure
Progressiveness
Increase the intensity of training gradually. Introduce new exercises gradually, and alternate demanding sessions with lighter outings.
Warm-up routine
Never neglect the first 10 to 15 minutes of each session. This is when you prepare your muscles for the effort involved. Similarly, don’t stop a session abruptly.
Watching your equipment
An ill-fitting saddle or unsuitable irons can generate muscular tension. Equipment adapted to the horse’s morphology and discipline is essential.
Well-managed rest
Horses need to recover. Incorporate rest days or “relaxation” sessions into the week to avoid muscular overload.
Horse myology, to go further
Want to know more about muscular well-being, recovery and natural care for your horse? Julia Prével’s book is packed with practical information, advice and explanations to help you better understand and accompany your horse in his daily life.
In a nutshell…
Aches and pains are not inevitable. By understanding their origin and adopting a suitable routine before, during and after work, you can effectively prevent them and offer your horse the best possible conditions for recovery. This requires listening, observation… and a healthy dose of kindness.