In order to keep your horse sound, it is important to maintain a good warm up and cool down routine.
Warming up refers to the initial work in a session, whether at home or at a competition. It allows the horse’s body to adjust to the work by increasing heart rate and circulation, helping oxygenated blood flow into the muscles. This loosens the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, prepares the body for the demands of exercise, and helps reduce the risk of injuries such as muscle or tendon tears from sudden fast work. It also gives the rider a chance to adjust and check the horse’s responses before starting the main work.
Ideally, a warm up will consist of five to 10 minutes of walk on a long rein, followed by the same at trot, before beginning canter or more complex work.
Cooling down usually consists of five to 10 minutes of walk (sometimes beginning with trot if the session involved fast work), on a long rein. This allows the heart rate and respiration rate to slowly decrease, helps the muscles clear lactic acid produced during work, and gives the horse time to stretch and loosen after exertion.
In very hot weather — particularly after galloping cross-country — it may be more important to begin cooling the horse immediately to prevent a rise in core temperature, rather than continuing to walk for several minutes.
This information is adapted from the Pony Club Australia C* / K Certificate Manual
