Tips Every Horse Owner Should Know

 Trailing riding can be an uplifting adventure, a natural bonding activity for horse and owner. This type of endurance riding is not only invigorating, but a great exercise for your horse; improving their endurance and building muscle. No need to hang up the bridle for the winter, with proper planning you can trail ride year round!

Although exercising your horse is an important part of keeping your horse healthy and happy, it can come with a bit of muscle soreness. If you want to keep your horse healthy and active make sure to take advantage of these helpful tips; pre and post workout, to help ease your horse’s aches and pains that come with trail riding.

Warm-up

Stretch your horse before going on a trail ride. Take your horse on a walk; in a ring or on a moderate trail, and prepare the muscles before a long journey. Allowing the muscles to loosen up helps release tension and can help prevent injury.

Saddling

Make sure your horse’s saddle fits properly. A saddle that is too loose, too tight or too heavy can hurt your horse and cause discomfort. Some signs you are not fitting your horse correctly are patches of white hair, swelling, skin irritation or bumps where the equipment touches. Pay attention, your horse may be trying to tell you something; a horse that is unwilling or difficult when being ridden may also be distressed from an ill-properly fitted saddle.

Know When to Quit

Horses need to be exercised for about 30 minutes to one hour, three to four times a week as part of a good fitness program. If needed, you can ride your horse up to six times a week maximum. You should always give your horse at least one full day off a week. Knowing when to quit is the best preventative for horse injury and muscles soreness.

Cool Down

Be sure to stretch your horse after a trail ride. Go on a walk and let him relax and slow his heart rate. Also, be sure to re-nourish your horse with food, water and minerals to help build stronger, healthier muscles.

Massage Therapy

Massage a workout liniment, such as Aloe Advantage’s Revive Sport Rub, into aching muscles. This deep penetrating pre and post workout liniment is specially formulated with Aloe Vera and Menthol for cool and quick relief. You can also save a little money with coupons on Revive Sports Rub at www.AloeAdvantage.com.

Horse Journal review describes: “Thick, creamy, white liquid with pleasant small. Flows easily like a liquid, but won’t run. Rubs in quickly. Gentle but obvious warming effect. Our testers enjoyed the ease of use, rapid penetration and gentle nature of this product for routine leg and muscle care after a hard work.”

Horse Journal, January 2009

Using Aloe Advantage Revive Sports Rub not only soothes sore muscles, but it also reduces inflammation and stimulates circulation, as well as, strengthens the bond between horse and rider in the process.