The power of the warm-up 🔥

Think about the last time you saddled up to ride - what did your warm up look like?

Walk around aimlessly while scrolling on your phone for a few minutes? 2 laps left and 2 laps right? No warm up at all?

What if I told you that by implementing an intentional warm-up plan into your horse’s routine, you could significantly extend the life of their body and joints. Improved joint health = potential to avoid injections?! Yes please.

Your warm up doesn’t have to be fancy, and in fact, it shouldn’t be! The key to a good warm up is the length of time over the action you’re actually doing (though both play a roll).

My hope is that you’re reading this from your couch, bed, or somewhere comfy.

If you’re not, imagine you are nice and comfortable somewhere…

Now go run. Fast. Faster. Oh and jump a hurdle! Now turn around and come back. Quick!

Ouch, I don’t know about you but my body doesn’t move like that anymore. I can’t just jump off the couch and into some kind of aerobic activity. I need a warm up, and so do our horses!

So, what does this look like in practice? Taking a true 10-20 minutes prior to work to just walk. 10 minutes is the bare minimum, 20 minutes is ideal, especially for older horses, horses in colder climates, or horses who are being asked to perform challenging maneuvers (jumpers, cutters, barrel horses, rope horses, etc.).

On paper, it sounds easy. In practice - you might feel like 10 minutes is an eternity.

But it’s an eternity that is well-worth it for your horse. By taking an intentional 10-20 minutes to warm up, you are:

• Firing up the muscles to engage properly (especially the core and stabilizer muscles necessary for preventing injury!)

• Stimulating synovial fluid protection in joints and allowing the joints to reach full range of motion gradually.

• Increasing blood flow to the muscles and organs (increased circulation = more oxygen going where it needs to go)

• Creating flexibility and and increased range of motion through the limbs

• Focusing your horse’s mind so that they are prepared to work

By taking 10 minutes at the start of each ride to really tune-in with your horse and intentionally walk - you are setting your horse up for a better ride, a more comfortable body, and a better chance at long-term joint and muscle health!