Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
In SA, the sun has started shining again, the horses are shedding their coats and it’s time to bring them back into work after a winter break. The preparation work done throughout the off season and pre-season has a huge impact on your horses performance during the competition season. Here is how you can best prepare your horse for the up coming season!
Gradually build your horse’s workload: Resist the urge to go hammer and tongs back to a full five day a week workload full of arena work and jumping. Depending on your horse’s fitness level, aim for 3-4 rides a week on the arena with plenty of stretching work and walk breaks, adding 1-2 ‘slow’ days with low impact riding (think long walks and slow trots for recovery).
Focus on re-building topline, strength and conditioning: It’s pretty normal for horses to drop muscle when out of work, so focus on re-building their topline and core strength initially, utilising pole work, hill walking and DMEs to ensure they have the strength to perform at the level you require. Aerobic conditioning work can include long trotting/cantering out of the arena, utilising intervals to build their fitness.
Get your saddle re-fitted: If your horse has changed shape considerably, remember to get your saddle re-fitted. Yes, you will likely need it done again in three months when they have re-built their topline but a horse that isn’t comfortable in their saddle will (rarely) work well.
Recovery is key: including light rides (like trail riding) in between harder sessions will be more beneficial for recovery than a day in the paddock. Getting your horse moving in a low impact way helps to reduce muscle soreness and joint stiffness. And no, your horse wont take itself for a 40 min walk just because it’s in the paddock.
Nutrition: Even if your horse looking a little tubby coming in from their break, remember that they still need to reach protein targets to build muscle! There are a few ‘protein pellets’ on the market now which provides high concentrate of protein without adding calories to your horses diet. Micronised lupins can also be a great source of protein at around 34%, requiring a low feed dose (fed as part of a balanced diet).
Get a physio assessment from the start: Having your horse assessed and treated by a physio when they come back into work will assist in recovery, prevent pain from limiting your horse’s performance and you’ll get a tailored program for your horse to give them the best performance outcomes. Physio’s are experts in strength and conditioning and optimizing musculoskeletal health, so can provide exercises to target your horse’s weaker areas as well as provide advice on training splits, nutrition and injury prevention.
At Thrive Equine Physio, we offer both in person and online consults, to enquire about booking an appointment, please fill out the booking form HERE.