The sporting longevity of competition horses has increased in recent years. Carla Aguirrea veterinarian, explains the reasons to LA RAZÓN: “Above all, there is greater awareness on the part of owners and riders. They understand better and better that horses should not be checked only when an injury appears, but also to ensure an optimal state of performance. Today it is common to carry out analyzes before starting the season to correctly adjust the diet and supplements, as well as carry out sports reviews in which it is assessed whether it is necessary to apply any local or injectable treatment, such as joint protectors. In addition, work is carried out in a coordinated manner. with farriers to check if the horse is comfortable or if the shoeing can be further optimized.
“Prevention, periodic check-ups and monitoring of the horse are what really make the differencenot only in sporting longevity, but also in results. Riders who have assumed it and integrated it into their daily routine clearly notice this difference, both in the horse’s well-being and in their regularity in competition,” Carla points out.
“The chapter on injuries depends a lot on the discipline. In Show Jumping, joint injuries or discomfort are usually more common, while in Dressage, soft tissue problems are more frequently observed. In any case, there are common pathologies, especially in horses of a certain age, such as tarsal osteoarthritisknown as esparavan. It appears in many horses and it is essential to treat it in time so that it responds better to treatments and does not lead to other pathologies. When addressed early, the horse’s performance can improve very significantly,” says the veterinarian. What is clear is that “the horse is increasingly cared for and helped to recover as best as possible. Horse and rider are a team and one without the other is nothing. If the horse is not well, no matter how good a day the rider is having, he may be able to save the test, but not win or obtain a good result,” he points out.
To improve the health of the horse “Food is essential and should always be supervised by a veterinarian. It is important to comment on how the horse looks, how it performs in competitions of different lengths and adjust the diet depending on the work, the time of year and its physical condition. Dental care, at least once a year, is another key aspect that most riders have already internalized and that has a huge impact on the horse’s performance, correct feed assimilation and comfort during work. Also It is essential to avoid excessive block times and boredom. Even if one day they are not ridden, the horses must go out to the paddock, to the walker or to walk hand in hand. This improves their attitude, their character and prevents stable vices that can end up generating bigger problems,” says Carla.
“Adapting the work to the horse is essential. Not all horses need the same type of work, even if they compete at the same level. The skills that each person must develop are different because the starting point and the skills are not the same. Weaknesses or deficiencies must be worked on without causing unnecessary overexertion in what the horse already knows how to do,” says the veterinarian. And she assures that “in more than 50 percent of cases, a change in performance is due to physical discomfort. Therefore, before starting to change saddles, saddles or protectors and spending large amounts of money on gadgets, the ideal is to call the veterinarian first, perform a complete check-up and, from there, evaluate the next steps.”
The key is to perform “sports check-ups with your veterinarian at least two or three times a yeareven if there are no apparent symptoms; complete blood tests before the start of the season and reviews of diet and supplements at the beginning, during and at the end of the season; avoid overtraining, warm up for between 15 and 20 minutes and stretch for at least 10 to 15 minutes after work, and maintain a constant work plan based on good planning of the season and the sports calendar,” he concludes.
