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After a hard workout that leaves both horse and rider tired, it can be tempting to put the horse away and go relax. However, cooling a horse out thoroughly, even after a basic workout, is an essential component of the recovery process. Keep reading to learn more about why you need to cool down and how to best cool out your horse after exercise.
The importance of cooling down
Even though cooling out can feel like an extra step before allowing the horse to go back to their field, skipping it can lead to several health complications and decreased future performance. In general, the more intense the exercise, the longer the cool-out will need to be. However, even after easy exercise, it is crucial to allow the horse the time to physically and mentally chill out before concluding a session.
During the cool down...
Heart rate and blood pressure return to normal
Breathing slows to a resting rate
Body temperature decreases back to its typical range
Blood continues to circulate, carrying lactic acid away
After exercising, the mind and body its still geared up to keep going. Cooling down allows the body and its system to gradually slow down to a normal, resting speed and has numerous health benefits for equine athletes. The body needs time to settle into a recovery phase, therefore not cooling out properly can hinder recovery and future performance for our equine athletes.
Failing to allow these systems to gradually slow and return to their resting rates can lead to a number of health complications, including...
Excessive lactic acid build-up leading to sore, stiff muscles
Dizziness and stumbling
Hyperthermia
In cold weather, chills
A sound cool-out routine, in addition to helping your horse's body prepare for rest and recovery, can also keep them feeling good about their work and motivated to please.
How cool out needs change
A gradual cool-out must follow every ride, however, the type and demands of your cool-out will change drastically depending on several factors, including temperature, intensity, and physical conditioning.
Cooling out after an easy workout
An easy workout that consists primarily of walk and trot work with lots of breaks, will not require much cool-out. Cooling down's main function is to allow to horse's heart rate, body temperature, and breathing to slow to normal, so if these levels do not rise too much over the duration of a workout, it will not take too long to allow them to decrease.
Cool out after an easy workout by...
Removing boots so legs can cool out
Walk riding or in hand on a loose rein for 3-5 minutes, loosen girth as much as is safe
Dismount and remove tack, walk a couple of times around the arena
Cooling out after strenuous exercise
As intensity increases, the demands of the cool-down go up as well. If your horse is huffing and puffing after a ride, you will need to commit to cooling them out until their heart rate, breathing, and body temperature have returned to normal. This will often mean an extensive cool-out that could take 30-40 minutes if your horse is especially hot or tired.
Cool out from a strenuous workout by...
Remove boots so the legs can cool out
Trot on a loose rein for a couple of minutes
Walk riding or in hand on a loose rein for 5-10 minutes, loosen girth as much as is safe
Loosen girth and walk for 2-5 minutes, remove the saddle and walk for another 2-5 minutes or until the horse's vitals have returned to normal
If sweaty or with an elevated body temperature...
Use a sponge or hose to wet the body, use a sweat scraper to remove excess water
Walk a lap around the arena and hose off again if they are still warm, scraping extra water
Repeat until body temperature is back to normal
** Once the horse's heart rate and breathing and dropping, you can offer a few swallows of water but do not allow your horse to guzzle water until they are completely cooled out.
Cooling out in cold weather
Cold weather adds an extra challenge to trying to cool out. If your horse got hot or sweaty while riding, they are likely to get a chill once they stop moving. Never put a wet horse away in the winter without a breathable rug (like a cooler) or until they are completely dry.
Cool out in cold weather by...
Walk the horse for 5-10 minutes or until their vitals have returned to normal, put a quarter sheet on if they are especially hot or sweaty
If they are still sweaty, remove the tack and put on a breathable rug, walk until they are dry. Brushing can help speed up the process
Cooling out in hot weather
Hot weather cool-outs look very similar to collo downs after intense exercise. Hot weather can elevate the horse's body temperature and heart rate above what it would normally be when exercising. Therefore, a targeted cool-out is even more important on a hot day to ensure the horse doesn't suffer from hyperthermia or excessive lactic acid build-up.
Cool out on a hot day by...
Remove boots so the legs can cool out
Walk riding or in hand on a loose rein for 5-10 minutes, loosen girth as much as is safe
Loosen girth and walk for 2 minutes, remove the saddle and walk for another 2 minutes
Remove sweat and decrease body temperature by using a sponge or hose to wet the body. Use a sweat scraper to remove excess water
Walk a lap around the arena and hose off again if they are still warm, scraping extra water
Repeat until body temperature is back to normal
** Once the horse's heart rate and breathing and dropping, you can offer a few swallows of water but do not allow your horse to guzzle water until they are completely cooled out.
Cooling out a fit vs. unfit horse
A horse that is in peak physical condition often cools out faster than a horse that is unfit. Especially if you are bringing a horse back to work after time off, be mindful of how their cool-out needs change and be prepared to spend extra time in the beginning to cool them out properly. When in doubt, walk a little bit more and be sure to carefully monitor their body temperature, breathing, and heart rate.
How to cool down
Following a basic cool-down routine is a good way to get yourself and your horse in the habit of cooling off. This basic routine can be adjusted as needed to meet the criteria listed above.
Basic cool-down routine:
1. Trot on a loose rein Expected time: 1-5 minutes
Allows the horse to slowly begin the cooling-out process. If they only did an easy-moderate ride, this step can be skipped.
Considerations:
Remove boots to allow the legs to cool off
2. Walk on a loose rein Expected time: 5-10 minutes
Allows the horse's vitals to gradually return to normal and keeps blood moving through the muscles to avoid lactic acid buildup.
Considerations:
Remove boots to allow legs to cool off
Continue until horse's body temperature, breathing, and, heart rate has decreased significantly
Doing this on a trail or outside the arena can keep horse and rider engaged
Rider can dismount and loosen girth during this phase
If it is cold out, consider adding a quarter sheet to avoid chill
3. Dismount and loosen girth, Expected time: 1-3 minutes
continue walking
Tack puts pressure on the horse's back, trapping heat and blood in the area. Because of that, tack would be removed slowly, especially after intense exercise or in the heat, to allow the area to gradually cool out.
Considerations:
If safe, this step can be done while riding. Be sure to only loosen the girth slightly
One or two laps around the area is all that is necessary unless the horse is very hot or sweaty
Offer 1/2 gallon of water
4. Remove saddle, continue walking Expected time: 1-3 minutes
Allows the horses back to continue to gradually cool off and let blood start circulating normally.
Considerations:
One or two laps around the area is all that is necessary unless the horse is very hot or sweaty
If it is cold out, consider adding a breathable rug or cooler to keep the horse from getting chilled
5. Final groom or hose down Expected Time: Variable
A final quick brushing puts all the hair back in place and can help free trapped moisture as well as keep the blood circulating to help prevent lactic acid buildup. If your horse is sweaty, sponge or hose them off to cool them down and keep them comfortable.
Considerations:
Always use a sweat scraper to remove excess water
If your horse is very hot and has not returned to a normal body temperature, walk for a minute and rewet the horse (sweat scraping excess water). Repeat until they are cooled down thoroughly
If it is cold and your horse is still at all wet, consider putting on a breathable rug or cooler
At this point, your horse should be ready to be turned back out. Continue monitoring for signs of hyperthermia or soreness.
