By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
As temperatures drop this week, many horses are spending extended periods in their stables with reduced exercise. While daily exercise and turnout are encouraged for all horses, weather conditions or injury recovery can sometimes make this difficult. January also marks the time when many horses come off their winter break and begin transitioning back into regular work.
A common question I receive is how to safely reintroduce horses into work without feeling like you're riding an “unexploded bomb.” The reality is, for performance horses, it’s unrealistic to expect perfect behaviour after a prolonged rest or time spent in the stable. However, there are several effective management strategies that can help reduce undesirable behaviours and ensure a smoother transition back to work.
Performance horses are akin to the Ferraris of the equine world—highly sensitive, reactive, and bursting with energy. While behaviours like bucking or leaping can sometimes indicate pain, they are more commonly the result of overexcitement and pent-up energy, particularly at this time of year. If you’re ever concerned about your horse’s behaviour or suspect pain, it's essential to consult a veterinarian.
When horses are on reduced exercise, it is vital to ensure they have access to adequate forage. Fibre-rich forage is fundamental for maintaining a healthy digestive system and reducing the risk of gastric ulcers or other gastrointestinal issues. Providing constant access to high-quality forage helps keep horses content and healthy during periods of limited activity.
It’s also crucial to feed according to the work your horse is currently doing—not the work you anticipate in the future. A competition horse returning to work after a break has different energy requirements compared to one in full competition training. Horses returning from a winter break may need sufficient protein and nutrients, but they often return a bit rounder or fluffier than usual.
Keyflow’s One Scoop is an excellent choice for providing balanced energy to horses returning to work during the winter months. It is also suitable for horses on box rest, offering essential nutrients without excess calories.
If you have a competition horse that has been in full work but is temporarily unable to exercise due to weather conditions, you may need to adjust their diet. Reducing the volume and caloric intake of their feed can help prevent the buildup of excess energy, which can lead to unwanted behavioural issues. Slow-release energy options, such as low-starch and high-oil feeds, are ideal for this purpose. Once again, One Scoop provides a convenient solution in such situations.
When bringing horses back into work, safety is paramount. A few minutes of lunging before riding can help to take the edge off, while wearing a back protector during the first few rides may also be a sensible precaution. It’s essential to reintroduce work gradually. Horses that have been stabled for long periods and are suddenly returned to hard work are at a higher risk of developing conditions such as tying up (exertional rhabdomyolysis).
Now is an ideal time to review your horse's diet and overall management in preparation for the busy competition season ahead. If your horse has been on extended box rest, it’s worth consulting with a nutritionist to create a tailored plan that supports their recovery and maintains optimal health.
By carefully managing forage, adjusting diets according to workload, and prioritising safety during the return to exercise, you can help your horse stay healthy, happy, and ready for the challenges of the season ahead.
The Keyflow Range
International Stockists
United States
Ireland
