From the Editor
FOR RIDERS, HEALTH resolutions and commitments to taking better care of our bodies usually come at the beginning of the year. (Which just happens to be when I’m writing this column and struggling with my own attempts to eat healthier, exercise more often, and get my body in shape for a return to the saddle.)
But for our horses, those lifestyle changes and adjustments come a few months later, as spring riding approaches. The promise of moving out of winter brings various health situations and opportunities for our horses not unlike the ones we address in our New Year resolutions—lose weight, get in shape, and work on whole-body health. Here are a few similarities I see.
THE WEIGHT GAME
Horses and humans tend to put on some extra…cushion…over the winter. Less activity, more calories, and the desire to snuggle under warm blankets (well, maybe that’s more human than horse) can lead us both to pack on a few extra pounds.
Fortunately for horses, the weight gain is more of a maintenance/ warmth thing than an extra-helping-of-mashed-potatoes/skip-the-gym thing. A simple adjustment in feed and an increase in physical activity (see next section) can whip our horses into shape in no time! (Unless there’s an underlying issue that your veterinarian should consider, of course.)
For riders, the task can be more difficult. It takes willpower to make healthy food choices—as opposed to simply eating what’s put in front of us by our keepers, as our horses do. “Chaps-Fit Plan,” found on our Web site, has some excellent advice for food swaps and reducing calorie intake to assist with your attempts to lose the extra cushion before you get in the saddle for long trail rides or intense competition.
EASING INTO EXERCISE
When it comes to physical activity, horses and humans are on a more even playing field. After a weather-induced hiatus, a return to physical fitness requires thought, planning, and time.
This issue’s Health page offers excellent tips for getting your horse’s activity level back on track. For additional spring conditioning information, go online to read contributing veterinarian Barb Crabbe’s top five conditioning flubs riders make and how to avoid the same mistakes as you get your horse ready to ride this spring.
On the rider side, exercise requires commitment, motivation, and a change to our daily routines. If you’re looking for rider-focused fitness, check out Kelly Altschwager’s “Saddle Strong” workout program at aimequineu.com/
courses/saddle-strong. Kelly has been a regular contributor to Horse & Rider during the past few years, and you can find her fitness-based articles on HorseandRider.com.
WHOLE-BODY HEALTH
Dr. Crabbe’s “Titer Talk,” page 62, brings up a tough subject involving vaccinations. She answers the question, “Could determining my horse’s vaccination program really come down to a simple blood test?” If your horse is vaccination-sensitive or if you just wonder if your horse needs all those shots, read Dr. Crabbe’s take on what titers can and can’t tell you about your horse’s vaccination needs.
Share your thoughts on how changing your lifestyle aligns with getting your horse ready for spring riding— and your spring-health tips—with our team at the email address below.