• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Horse Care

    5 Things You Should Know About Warming Up Your Horse

    Published: Nov 16, 2015 · Modified: Nov 16, 2015 by ihearthorses · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    A good warm up prior to your ride is important to your horse’s health. Here are 5 facts to consider the next time that you’re warming up your horse.

    1. Cold Muscles Are Tight and Prone to Injury

    Why do we put such an emphasis on properly warming up a horse? Because without a warm up, your horse’s muscles and ligaments are cold and tight. Muscles and ligaments which are cold and tight are more prone to injury – if your horse takes a funny step, the muscles and ligaments aren’t as ready to stretch and help the horse recover as they would be if they had been properly warmed up.

    Cold muscles and ligaments can be easily injured, and will sometimes result in your horse moving stiffly. This stiff movement makes it hard for the horse’s body to function properly, so the horse actually has to work harder to do basic movements like the walk and the trot.

    Image source: Dark Dwarf via Flickr

    Image source: Dark Dwarf via Flickr

    2. A Long, Slow Warm Up Can Help Prevent Injury

    Giving your horse a long, slow warm up before every ride is an excellent way to help prevent injury during and after workouts. You should spend at least ten minutes giving your horse a gradual warm up before asking for any intense collection, but a longer warm up is always better.

    Image source: thisisamyt via Flickr

    Image source: thisisamyt via Flickr

    3. Horses With Arthritis Need Extended Warm Ups

    Arthritis is one condition which generally benefits from extended warm ups. Don’t forget that by warming up your horse, you are also promoting proper blood circulation and helping to reduce swelling from the legs. The more that you can reduce swelling, the better a horse with arthritis will be able to move and function. Gradual warm ups can also help to reduce the pain that an arthritic horse feels.

    Image source: thisisamyt via Flickr

    Image source: thisisamyt via Flickr

    4. Warm Ups Can Set the Tone for the Entire Ride

    Don’t think of your warm up as wasted time. Instead, look at your warm up as an opportunity to set the tone for the ride to come. As you warm your horse up, ask for him to focus on you, instead of his surroundings. Use the time to gain your horse’s attention and help him get into “work mode” so that by the time you’re ready to ask for more, your horse is ready to work with you.

    Image source: Nikki via Flickr

    Image source: Nikki via Flickr

    5. Massage Can Help Facilitate Proper Warm Up

    Massage is an often underappreciated part of warming a horse up. Many sport horse owners now use massage before warming their horses up for big events. Massage promotes blood circulation and muscle warmth, so consider adding some basic massage to your horse’s warm up regimen.

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     
    Image source: Jean via Flickr

    Image source: Jean via Flickr

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • 10 Items To Have In Your Equine First Aid Kit
    • 6 Weight Loss Tips For Horses
    • 6 Tips For Managing A Horse On Stall Rest
    • 6 Tips For Fly Control Around Your Barn

    Sharing is caring!

    1.6K shares
    • Share1.6K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 15 Fantastic Pictures of Horse's Jumping to Make You Smile
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See
    • 17 Inspirational TikTok Horse Accounts To Lift Your Spirits

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    1.6K shares
    • 1.6K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy