Walk the last part of every ride to let the heart rate and breathing settle, then sponge or hose with cool water, scrape off excess, and offer water. In heat, keep applying cold water until the horse is comfortable.
Walk it out
Finish every session with several minutes of walking on a loose rein. This lets the heart rate and breathing return towards normal, clears waste from the muscles, and prevents the stiffness that follows a sudden stop after hard work.
Cool the body
Sponge or hose the horse with cool water, focusing on the large blood vessels inside the legs, under the belly and over the neck. In hot weather, continuous cold water is the fastest way to bring temperature down, so keep reapplying rather than scraping once.
Care for the legs
Hard work stresses the lower legs. Cold hosing or cooling boots help ease heat and reduce swelling in the tendons after fast or long work. Check the legs by hand for heat or filling as the horse cools.
Replace fluids and salts
Offer water once the horse has stopped blowing, and provide a salt lick. After hard or long work, or in the heat, electrolytes replace the salts lost in sweat. Always give water alongside any electrolyte.
Finish dry and comfortable
Scrape off excess water and let the horse dry before turning out or rugging in cool weather. A properly cooled, dry and rehydrated horse recovers faster and stays sounder over a career.
