A healthy lifestyle for you and your horse is essential for living a great long life. Understanding what is healthy and what isn’t takes time, especially for your equines. As you. may know, special diets are needed for humans with underlying conditions, and the same goes for horses. Exercise routines vary from person to person, and they also may vary from breed to breed as well. We recommend cultivating a plan for you and your horse to help maintain the healthiest and happiest life for both you and your horse’s body. Below are some tips to help maintain this healthy lifestyle.
- Trail ride often – Many times as riders we get stuck in our everyday ‘arena routine’ of flatwork or jumping courses. Yes, this is important, but getting off property can be just as important for both horse and rider. Trail riding is proven to help both horse and human minds. We recommend trail riding with another horse and rider for safety and security. Horses like to travel in herds, so keep a buddy system especially if you’re going far from home. By trail riding, this will help relax both you and your horse. Breathing the fresh air and enjoying the scenery are healing for the mind and body.
- Pick your horse’s feet – While you pick his/hoer feet, check for thrush and loose shoes. The horse’s feet are one of the most important ways to check a horse’s health.
- Groom daily! – Grooming your horse is great for you and him/her! Grooming is also proven to help with anxiety, depression, stressful work days, and so on due to it’s therapeutic process. By spending time with your horse and brushing their coat in a repetitive motion, it not only helps clean your horse, but also cleans your mind.
- Maintain a healthy diet – Cut out the sugar! Too much sugar can be just as bad for horses as it is humans. Sugar is inflammatory, so the less you eat it – the better! If you have an older horse, a low-starch diet is typical to prevent any health disorders. Read the animal nutrition news for your horse to keep him/her eating healthy. For riders, a diet rich in nutrients and protein and low in sugar will help maintain the energetic lifestyle.
- Supplement when needed – for you and your horse! A good source of probiotics, vitamins and minerals will keep you and your horse in tip top condition.
- Focus on Flatwork – similar to trail riding, flat work can also get overlooked especially if you are focused on showjumping. To help you and your horse perform better, try doing flat excercises that include bending, circles, trotting over poles, and posting without stirrups. Yes, I said it- ride without your stirrups! The only way to get stronger is to keep pushing yourself through the exercises that challenge you.
- Clean your closet – Out with the old, and in with the new! Getting rid of clothing that doesn’t fit you (or your horse) is a great feeling. Take your ‘used’ apparel and tack to a local Salvation Army, consignment store, or even list it on Tack Hunter (the latest and greatest Equestrian marketplace app) for some extra cash.
- Remember to always stretch – stretching can also be easily overlooked in our routines for both horses and riders. As a rider, before you ride be sure to stretch your arms, legs, back, head and neck before you mount in the tack. Not only does this help with your range of motion, but it also prevents injuries and muscle cramps or tightness. After you stretch, help your horse by stretching his or her legs by lifting them up and stretching out in a forward leg extension position. This will help stretch from their shoulder to their hoof.
