October 2002

Make the Most of Your Horse's Winter Break

Maximize the benefits of your competition horse’s well-deserved time off between seasons without losing much ground in conditioning.

Your horse also needs a break from ūthe stresses of competition.

Like any athlete, your competition horse feels the effects of intense competition, constant travel and changes in diet. These stresses take their toll in assorted aches and pains, if not actual injuries, possible weight loss, flagging performance and a weakened immunity. Few horses can take these taxing schedules year round. Somewhere along the line you have to let up a bit.

Tincture of time is essential in any approach to soreness. If your horse has a soundness problem, the treatment will dictate how much time he has off and how much exercise he should get during that time. Most horses will also benefit from a period without shoes, even if it’s…