Fit​​​​ for Purpose

Planning the year to keep your horse in shape.

- Jassy Mackenzie 

Now that the year is in full swing, you may want to take a look at your goals for you and your horse for the year. You might be planning a competitive season with a going horse, bringing a young horse on, or returning an injured horse to work. Whatever your riding goals,it’s essential that the horse’s programme includes enough time and variety to get him fit and conditioned for what he needs to do.

Planning for fitness

“One of the most common misconceptions is that some horses are ‘naturally fit’. In fact, there is no such thing. Most horses have a willingness to work, but this does not mean they are fit enough for the job they are being asked to do,” explains Gill Whitbread. Whitbread is a Kyalami-based physiotherapist who treats human and equine patients, rehabilitates injured horses and offers hippotherapy. In 2017 she will be hosting Fit for Purpose clinics in Kyalami. These will address all problems horses and riders are experiencing, and will source expert advice in order to optimise performance and comfort.

Building fitness

Any rider who has sat on a horse after not having ridden for a while will know how sore they feel afterwards. Horses feel the same when they use muscles that are not accustomed to a certain type or level of work. A horse who can do a 45-minute dressage lesson will not be fit enough to do an eventing round.

A sore horse will not be able to work optimally and will also not enjoy his work. Whether you are a horse or a human, doing too much, too soon, creates the potential for a sports injury to occur. “Horses are willing animals, and it is in their being to want to say yes. By the time they start saying no, they are usually in a lot of pain, or have had a really bad experience,” Whitbread says.