Rehabilitation Basics

Help your horse return to work and prevent future injuries with advice from leaders in the sport.

- Lilly Simons

Your horse’s health and fitness play a critical role in his happiness and performance. When it comes to injuries, rehabilitating a horse involves strategic planning and a consistent adherence to a program. The process can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially with the goal of avoiding re-injury. However, there are certain measures you can take to ensure that your horse’s rehabilitation process goes as smoothly as possible and future injuries are prevented.

Beginning the Rehab Process

USEF Youth Coach George Williams emphasized that teamwork is a large part of rehabilitating a horse. He believes the veterinarian, farrier, dentist, saddle fitter, nutritionist and any masseuse, chiropractor, acupuncturist and trainer should all work together, with you, the rider and the horse’s owner. “You, as the rider, are the team leader,” he said. “The initial steps of this process can be some of the most important that you follow. They serve as a building block for the progress you hope to reach in the future. You, the rider and team leader, should be at the heart of every decision made on your horse’s behalf. No one knows your horse better than you.”

Dr. Hilary Clayton was the dressage chair at Michigan State University and an active researcher and teacher at the Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, a cutting-edge lameness and equine sports facility. She stressed that the beginning stages of rehabilitation are vital and must be carefully approached. People often try to accelerate the horse’s recovery too quickly, and that is how many horses end up never healing properly and, more often than not, face re-injury.