EQUUS

Prevent spring training injuries

If your horse has been idle over the winter, take some time to tone him up to avoid injuries from stressing unfit muscles.

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Warmer weather is not far away, and it will feel good to shake off the winter doldrums and get back into the swing of things at the barn. Tempting as it may be to toss a saddle on your horse and head for the hills on the first balmy day of the season, it’s important to consider your horse’s readiness for the challenge. If you haven’t ridden much over the winter, he may have lost some conditioni­ng during his time off, and you may need to spend a few weeks bringing him back to his previous level of fitness.

Pushing a horse into exertion he’s not yet ready to handle is a recipe for a number of health issues, including muscle strains as well as tendon and ligament injuries. However, a slow, careful approach---that accommodat­es his needs while adjusting for weather conditions---will help to get him back into shape and ready for summer activities. 1. Assess your horse’s current level of fitness. Heavy winter coats or blankets can obscure changes in a horse’s body. Run your hands over your horse to evaluate his general

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