While some aches may be unavoidable, making sure
your horse has had a slow, gentle warm-up, and proper period of cooling down after exercise or an intense workout can help prevent muscle stiffness and soreness. A veterinarian can help with advice on how to treat
sore muscles and infl ammation, and may prescribe cold therapy, wrapping and support bandages or medica- tions if these symptoms are troublesome.
Tender feet A pasture- or stall-kept horse may not be used to a
sudden change in terrain or footing, so watch for signs of tender feet. Just as your feet are swollen and sore after a weekend of taking the grandkids to a theme park, your horse’s hooves may be a bit tender follow- ing a few days on rocky trails or concrete. Severe problems can develop if foot problems are
ignored or overlooked. A veterinarian or farrier should be consulted if symptoms persist or lameness and ten- derness continue beyond a reasonable length of time.
Keep hydrated It’s an often-overlooked danger
in the heat: keeping hydrated. If you and your horse have traveled to a different climate, dehydration could become a problem. The weather may turn more humid, conditions could be less than ideal for acces- sible water and cooling shade, and you’ve both been working hard. Don’t forget to water your horse at regular intervals to keep him on his feet. Signs of dehydration can in-
clude lethargy, eye dullness, thick or sticky saliva and higher than normal heart rate. Ask your veteri- narian about what signs to look for and how to test your horse to see if he is getting enough water.
Recovery After you return home and have
him back in the barn, keep an eye on your horse for a few days for signs of continuing discomfort or infl ammation. You’ll both likely need a bit of rest before your next bout of activity.
tscra.org November 2016 The Cattleman 83
Horses that seem depressed, cranky or not quite
themselves, may be feeling the effects of their weekend activity. A call to the vet or farrier may be required if you suspect more serious problems than a few days of soreness.
Continued activity If your horse hasn’t been active in a while, avoid
longer periods of intense activity or a heavy workload until he has had a bit of time to ease into that heavier schedule. Leave the longer events and heavier chores until a later date so you can both get up to speed. Plan ahead and make it a priority to get your horse
ready for a busier time on the ranch before he’s asked to pull a full load. It could pay to give him a bit of time to build up his muscle strength and get over the initial soreness. With a little planning and a bit of care, your horse
will be as ready as you are for whatever your to-do list has in store.
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