Back to normal: helping sport horses recuperate after an intense effort

Of course, just like humans, equine athletes are exposed to different injuries and ailments depending on their particular physical exertion. A show jumping horse, for example, experiences a series of intense take-offs and landings in a short period of time, while another equestrian discipline might require more modest gestures sustained over a longer timeframe – raising the risk of cumulative damage, especially when exacerbated by ill-fitting horseshoes.

But some general principles apply across the board. For one thing, experts say, it is important to keep up (diminishing) activity after sport and before rest. As French stud manager Thierry Neuzillet told Grand Prix magazine this month, “After a ride, we often think that the horse has worked hard and can be left in peace. But that’s very inaccurate. Following a big effort, whether in competition or at home, horses need movement to recuperate. They have to get rid of the toxins in their muscles, and should not go back into the stall panting. If they’re really short of breath, it’s because they need a lot of oxygen for their muscles. So while they’re still panting, we don’t put them back in the stall.”

Louisa Williams, creator of the soothing Ice-Vibe horse boot at the Irish equipment-maker Horseware, echoes Neuzillet’s thoughts. “An intense effort can cause tissue damage in muscles and tendons,” she explains. “Things like micro-tears can cause pain and inflammation. And the lack of oxygen can also have real consequences. A good recuperation must therefore allow the organism to supply sufficient oxygen to cells, and also stop muscles and tendons from getting stiff to the point where blood flow is compromised.”

For her part, Florence Vlaminck of Swedish equipment maker Back on Track says that, “Just after an effort, you can keep trotting at a not-too-fast, not-too-slow rhythm for five to ten minutes depending on what the horse has done before. After that, you can walk them to allow them to get their breath back.” An important stretch to focus on is in the neck area, and one can check that the horse is back to a more normal state by looking at signs like the size of their nostrils (normal dilation) and urine colour.

Subsequently, after a competition, the diminishing period of activity can last 2–3 days, Thierry Neuzillet says, with a gradually decreasing intensity level that allows the animal’s body to stretch its whole muscle mass properly. Of course, massage as well as treatments like balneotherapy with water and algotherapy (seaweed) are also options depending on availability.

At the same time – in the spirit of ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ – a proper warm-up beforehand is essential for horses whatever the recuperation method chosen. “A good warm-up facilitates recuperation,” explains Neuzillet. “We have to take inspiration from high-level athletes. For example, 100-metre sprinters arrive at the stadium three–four hours before their race. So why don’t riders imitate that rather than just giving their horse a relatively short warm-up before their ride? That’s definitely not enough. We always say that our horses are elite athletes, but we don’t always treat them accordingly. And then we’re shocked when they’re stiff or get injured. So before they compete or train, they need to really prepare all their muscles.”

For a fascinating slow-motion look at sport horses in action in the three Olympic disciplines (and more), see this video with the prominent French veterinarian Jean-Marie Denoix (in French). And of course, another part of the recuperation process for horses is the replenishment of fluids lost as a result of exercise. As Canadian expert Gayle Ecker told Grand Prix this summer, the animals typically sweat five times as much as humans when exercising, and their sweat is much more concentrated. That means that – beyond the obvious necessity of cooling down their body – electrolyte supplements can be crucial to restore lost minerals like potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium. For more on that issue, see here.