Warming up a horse is a vital step to achieving optimal athletic performance as it greatly reduces the risk of soft tissue injury. Although warming up for different disciplines varies there are some general guidelines to follow. Warm up activity should be completed prior to directed work in training and competition. Warm ups should also be built into the daily exercise regimen to enhance compliance. Ideally it’s convenient, practical and designed to prepare the relevant muscles and tendons for impending exercise.
Warming up increases body temperature, the muscle, tendon and ligament flexibility are increased as well as muscle fibre, nerve conduction velocity and muscle relaxation which aids in coordination.
There is also some non-temperature related effects including;
Ø Increased blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles due to an increase of heart and respiratory rate.
Ø Splenic contraction and increased muscle power.
Much greater force is required to injure a warmer muscle due to greater pliability of the muscle and greater range of motion. The period of time needed will vary, ten minutes should be the minimum and may be enough in warm weather. However in colder weather warm up may require up to forty minutes. Warm ups should be divided into specific phases such as flat work, jumping, slow work and fast work depending on discipline.
Horses expected to perform hard work in training or competition should have some degree of hard work at the end of the warm up prior to competing. These high intensity exercises should be quite short in duration so the horse’s energy isn’t depleted prior to competing. If you are in competition that has breaks in the performance, re-warm up is recommended before every event. This could be a continuous low grade activity or a period of rest and then rewarming up with the same initial routine.
If you have any questions about your horse please give our helpful team a call on 07 4982 2552 or visit our common conditions page on our website for more information.