Are you starting to think about bringing your horse or pony back into work or have you recently done so?

It's the time of year where a lot of horse owners start to bring thrift horses back into work after a winter break. No matter how long they have had off, if it's been months or weeks you should introduce them back into work gradually and slowly to avoid injury. Starting with groundwork is a good place to start.

It is also a good idea to check all your routine check before starting like:
Saddle fit - do you need your fitter to check the fit and adjust if needed
Teeth and mouth - are the teeth sharp which could lead to sores when riding. Check your horse's mouth regularly for sores and signs of damage to the teeth
Check all tack for any damage and fit
Physiotherapy/Chiropractor/Equine Sports Massage Therapist - they will pick up on any pain or discomfort in areas that need addressed before starting work
Is your horse due their annual vaccinations? Are they are going to be competing - is the time frame correct under rules for your discipline/level
Do they need the farrier? - do they need shod after a winter holiday without shoes
Do you need to change their feed to cope with the change of exercise?
Do they need clipped?
Check their coat and skin - winter can be harsh and cause bacterial infections such as mud fever and rain scald
Check your horse’s legs - do this daily so you don’t miss any signs of injury or swelling

I advise regular body checks for horses or ponies throughout the year but when you are bringing them back into work it’s really important.

Here's why:
🐴You never know if the horse has maybe had a fall or a slip over the winter that you didn’t perhaps know about.
🐴Maybe they have a sore back or tight area that is causing them discomfort
🐴If they haven’t been doing much exercise over the winter, their posture can change as they lose
muscle and core strength. This can affect how comfortable they are throughout their body?
🐴If you have just been ‘ticking over’ and are about to increase exercise, is your horse strong enough to do that?
It’s worth considering all of these points, if you haven’t already!
A routine check will make sure your horse or pony is ready to be brought back into work or how intense you should be working them at this stage if you have already started. They can also help you with a work plan by recommending exercises and types of work you can do at each stage.
To book or if you just want to enquire about sports massage:
💌Send me a DM on here or Facebook
☎️07510 235339
📍I cover the following areas but I am always happy to travel a bit further for a few horses in the area so please send a message if you are interested but your area isn't listed!
📍Cumbria
📍Dumfries & Galloway
📍Northumberland
📍Lancaster
📍Scottish Borders

I hope you enjoyed this mini blog, there will be another coming in a few weeks which is a more detailed subject. Please get involved in the comments.
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