When cooling horses out after workouts, it is up to the rider to monitor heart rate, respiration, sweat and other factors to determine when cooling is finished. There is no set time period that is adequate for all horses. In fact, it depends on several circumstances:
- Horse's fitness level
- Temperature outside
- Length of workout
- Rigorousness of workout
- Quality of air
- Horse's tendency to sweat
When unsure of all these factors, it is best for riders to cool down a horse longer than they think is necessary. Otherwise, the horse might develop colic after being put in his stall, which can lead to serious health complications and even death.
The Walk-Out
After finishing workouts, horses need to walk for fifteen or twenty minutes before they are taken into the barn. This gives the horse a chance to stretch out his muscles and to return his respiration to normal. Walking can also be done on a lead line or hot walker, but it is usually more enjoyable to simply walk around the arena or down a trail on horseback.
It is a good idea to monitor heat release while cooling horses out. The rider should reach down around the horse's neck and feel the deepest part of his chest. If significant heat is still radiating from that area, the rider is not done with cooling down his horse.
The Bath
As long as the temperature is higher than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, a bath is advisable to cool down a horse. This increases the speed with which heat is released from the body and also aids in reducing muscle soreness after workouts. This doesn't mean that a rider actually needs to bathe the horse with shampoo after every workout; a simple soaking with the hose is sufficient.
After a bath, rider should help cool down the horse further by using a sweat scraper on his back, shoulders, neck, barrel and haunches. This removes excess water, which reduces the chances of developing fungus and will hasten the cool-down process.
The Evaluation
Once the rider has given his horse a bath, the cool down might be over. Some horses cool out faster than others, and if the workout wasn't strenuous, he might be ready for his stall. Before putting him away, however, conduct a quick evaluation.
First, feel his chest to check for heat. If there is still significant heat, the horse is not cool enough. Next, check respiration and heart rate. The respiration should be no higher than 16 breaths per minute and the pulse should be no faster than 40 beats per minute. If all of these criteria have been satisfied, the horse is cool.
Cooling down a horse can take upwards of an hour after particularly strenuous workouts in the dead of summer. It might be faster during winter months or after light workouts, but don't take any chances. If it is cold outside and the horse is sweating, cover him with a light sheet while cooling him out. And if the horse isn't cool after his bath, walk him by hand for another fifteen minutes, then evaluate him again. There is no room for error.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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