THE ATHLETIC HORSE

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In addition to all of the above stretches, walking can be done under saddle, in hand, or on a long line. Start slowly and increase gradually to a brisk pace. Easy trotting further improves oxygen uptake and cardiac output. These two exercises should be performed in the beginning of each workout before any further strenuous work. Trotting's symmetrical pace also makes it easy to pinpoint lameness before more difficult exercise worsens them beyond repair. Both these gaits are used in warm up to facilitate stretching of the distal limb muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Sidestepping and tight serpentine workouts at the walk are advocated by many horse folk as a method of not only "collecting" the animal but making sure back and neck muscles are ready for a further workout.

Our 4-year old Appaloosa mare had pads placed on her
front feet last year for a sole bruise on one foot. What do
you think about padding shod horses? Should we continue
to have her shoes padded?

—Maura Thompson
Odessa, TX

Massaging major muscle groups, specifically back and hip muscles, will improve range of motion and increase circulation to major body organs, such as the spleen and kidney, as well as increase circulation in the muscle bellies themselves. With firm pressure, use the heel of the hand to create a circular massaging motion over each muscle group. The horse will relax and lean into the pressure after a few go-rounds. Likewise, using a thick curry comb, followed by a brisk brushing, will also stimulate skin and superficial epidermal/dermal blood flow while removing sweat and dirt.

Whatever the warm-up, be sure to go slowly when conditioning the horse to any new exercise. Also, be sure to switch patterns of exercise frequently after a proper warm-up to avoid performance "burnout." Pads are often added to shoes if more than just applying a standard shoe to cover the bearing surface of the hoof wall is necessary, or for healing short-term problems such as sole abscesses, puncture wounds, bruises, corns, or severe inflammation of the third phalanx or navicular bone. These problems can cause a great deal of lay-up time and consequently, it may be advantageous to pad the shoe, encasing the entire bottom of the foot in a "protective" coating.

I use the term "protective" loosely however, because padding may have some adverse long-range effects that may outweigh its benefits. A full pad may reduce the chance of bruising the sensitive tissues and will reduce some concussions to the foot. However, the feet then never have access to the ground. The sole consequently can become very soft and vulnerable to injury and deep bruising. The hoof wall tends to lose its grip in the nails since the shoe now is farther from the wall proper. Without support from the ground surface, the sole begins to flatten and may even develop bacterial (thrush) or fungal growth on its surface or, worse yet, in hidden injuries due to moisture and dirt trapped under the pad.

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