While some of us are fully immersed in Winter Circuit activities, others of us have been laid up for the winter. Bringing a horse back to work after having time off is tough. Whether due to cold temps or an injury, you have to work through some high energy and preventative recovery. Here are some tips to get you and your horse safely back into the ring this spring.
For a Calmer Tomorrow
The wind is blowing, it’s 40 degrees outside, and your horse is looking a little extra excited today. Calming supplements can help you avoid throwing in the reins until warmer weather. These supplements use specialized formulas to support your horse’s nervous system, contributing to a calmer and happier horse.
Calmers most commonly are found in pellets, powders, liquids, and paste. They can provide long-term effects or more immediate effects based on what your horse needs.
Calming supplements such as pellets, powders, liquids, and wafers are meant to be fed on a daily basis. Calmers such as EquiCalm Pellets or Perfect Prep’s Eq Training Day Powder help manage anxiety. They also maintain a calmer, more confident demeanor for everyday situations that could cause anxiety.
If your horse cannot be convinced that pellets and powders are a delicious addition to their daily meals, Majesty’s Kalm+ Wafers or T.H.E. Equine Edge Calming Cookies are a great alternative. No mess, no fuss, just the perfect amount of calmer in a daily cookie.
Supplements in paste form are perfect for occasional use. Pastes are quick-acting, equine calming support for increased focus during stressful situations. For example, the first ride after a long break or at a horse show. Synchill, Perfect Prep Supreme, and EquiCalm can help reduce anxiety for your horse within 90 minutes to 120 minutes.
No Pain, No Gain Doesn’t Have to be True
You can bet we will be sore when we get back in the saddle after time off. Just like us, our horses are going to be sore during those first few rides. Products such as supplements, liniments, and other therapies can help your horse recover faster.
Supplements such as Bute-Less, Bute-Like, and Total Equine Relief Powder help reduce inflammation and can help your horse feel less sore after their initial workouts.
In addition to initial soreness, it is important to consider long-term soundness by protecting your horse’s ligaments, tendons, joints, and more. Products such as Hyaluronex HA, Arti Matrix, and Majesty’s Flex Wafers help provide adequate nutrition to address persistent joint problems and help prevent future injuries in horses as they get back to work and into their regular exercise routine.
A liniment is a liquid or gel, applied to your horse’s body to help with cooling down, pain, stiffness, or soreness. Liniments such as Vetrolin Gel and Sore No More Liniment Spray are great for winter months when you don’t want to get your horse wet. During warmer weather concentrated liniments such as CoolDown can be added to water and given as a warm bath after a workout.
Add a Little Therapy
If you are looking for a little more to help your horse get back in shape or feel their best, heat or cold therapy can help. Heat therapy is best for chronic pain and injuries without swelling such as muscle pain or stiffness. Some popular heat therapy products are Vitafloor Solarium, Sport Innovations Pro Series 3-in-1 blanket, and Back On Track Quick Wraps.
Cold therapy is best for acute injuries or pain and with inflammation and swelling. Ice and cold therapy after a workout help to reduce inflammation whether you see it or not. Cold therapies such as IceAir Cold Therapy Boots, Ice-Vibe Hock Wraps, and Ice Horse Back Blanket can help you specifically target any acute injuries that have inflammation and swelling.
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Learn More
Did you know there are therapies to use during your ride too? Learn more about therapy you can ride in here.