Routine for horses performance is very important. We all know the importance of routine within our horse’s life, and how it can benefit their mental and physical wellbeing. However, have you ever thought about how you could optimise routine to improve your horse’s performance?
Consider these simple suggestions in your horse’s routine! There bound to give your horse new spring in their step and keep you motivated all season long!
Prioritise your horse’s sleep
We’ve all had a bad night’s sleep, and we all know how trying to tackle the day’s task can feel when we have suffered this, so why should it feel any different for your horse?!
Similar to humans, horses have phases of light and deep sleep. Deep sleep, known as REM sleep, is essential for all living mammals, including horses and humans. This period of sleep helps us to process the day’s events, retain memories, and, therefore, learn new skills.
However, our horses are prey animals and are always on high alert. This means, they may prefer to doze standing up, as lying down makes them vulnerable to potential predators. However, to achieve the vital REM sleep, they must lie down! This means they can struggle to get a good nights sleep, reducing not only learning capacity, but there physical energy to perform.
To optimise the quality of our horse’s sleep, there are a few simple steps we can take as owners. One of those steps is to ensure a quiet, calm environment – especially overnight. Multiple checks during the day or night can disturb your horse from their slumber. Additionally, loud and sudden noises can awake and put your horse on edge.
If your yard is a hive of activity, and there is not much you can do to control it, try playing classical music. Although it may sound strange to block out noise with more noise, the dulcet tones of classical music can provide a consistent, calming blanket of sound. Just try to make sure the tracks you play don’t have any loud crashes or bangs in them!
Incorporate Stretches
Stretching, especially during the winter as we start to use the stable more often, can be a key addition to a daily routine to optimise performance.
The best type of stretching for horses is active stretching. Active stretching includes activities such as carrot stretches, where you are encouraging your horse stretch on their own accord.
Active stretching has been shown to increase the cross-sectional area of the m.multifidi muscle (a muscle in the back) and the back’s range of motion. Therefore, using stretches, like carrot stretches, regularly could encourage top-line development and aid performance under the saddle.
On the other hand, passive stretching, which is where a person forcibly stretches parts of the body, can be too intense to incorporate into a daily routine. One study found that horses who were exposed to a daily routine of passive stretching, actually suffered a reduced range of motion in their limbs, suggesting it may cause discomfort. We advise you to leave passive stretching to the professionals and only complete these sorts of stretches if you are advised to by those who have the right qualifications. Passive stretches are perfectly safe and beneficial when carried out by qualified people!
If your finding it hard to incorporate stretches into routine, try turning out as regularly as possible! This will give your horse chance to stretch, roll and flex stiff joints and muscle, as well as providing a variety of other benefits!
Hydrate
Monitoring your horse’s hydration is also key component to routine for optimal performance.
Water is vital for all bodily functions, including movement. Having good hydration means the transport of vital nutrients can be optimised throughout the body, including energy, vitamins and minerals. Plus, it is easier for your horse to get rid of any waste products created from energy utilisation, such as lactic acid, which can cause pain if built up over time.
Water during performance is also used to cool your horse down. Horse’s maintain their body temperature through sweating and is a key function to ensure they don’t overheat! Overheating can result in discomfort, reduced performance, and reduced immunity.
To ensure optimal hydration, the use of electrolytes is the perfect addition into routine. For use when you have just completed a hard session, or returned from competition, electrolytes can restore the large amounts of minerals often lost through sweat. Additionally, use of electrolytes 1 hour before work has shown to prolong exercise. This time period gives the horse’s body enough time to absorb the vital minerals, but not enough to filter them back out of the body.
Stress Bust
Identifying stressors in your horse’s life can also be key to optimising performance. Aiding sleep, concentration, and general mental well-being, as well as eliminating stressors, can be key to performance progress!
Stressors can include anything from an inconsistent routine to not having adequate company. Eliminate potential stressors one by one so you can identify the problem accurately and prevent future occurrences. Also, make sure your horse has sufficient mental stimulation—incorporate toys such as ball feeders, play balls, and Likits into their daily routine!
However, we recommend starting we solidifying your routine! Also, with great benefits of turnout, including a period of outside, free-time wouldn’t go a miss – its a easy and great way to provide mental and visual stimulation.
You may also like to read
Journalist and News Reporter, Everything Horse
Reporting on equestrian news stories, Abby also produces a variety of engaging content for the magazine.