While taking time to rest after a busy show season is essential, it doesn’t address all the needs that arise from such an intense period. After months of hauling, competing, and training, it’s natural to give your horse some well-deserved time off. Turnout, quiet rides, and fewer demands all sound like a perfect recovery plan, but the truth is, rest alone doesn’t fully restore the equine body after a show season.
Every stride, jump, or turn builds fitness, but it also creates micro-tension patterns in muscles and fascia. Over time these small imbalances add up. It may show itself as a tighter shoulder on one side or a shortened stride behind or a poll that doesn’t flex evenly. Although a horse may seem “fine” in turnout, these restrictions can linger beneath the surface, setting the stage for stiffness, uneven wear, or performance issues next year.
So, while rest helps tired muscles recover, bodywork helps them recover correctly. Now I know we love to throw our PEMF and BEMER blankets on our horse and call it a day, but true bodywork is in the release of fascia and stretching. Allowing the equine musculoskeletal to unwind back to balance. Whether you love to stretch your horse daily or have someone do bodywork for you. It’s an important part of recovery. Bodywork increases circulation to clear metabolic waste and support muscle repair. It restores flexibility and range of motion. Bodywork releases tension from competitive movements or compensation. Altogether, allowing the horse to reach a parasympathetic state in its nervous system which is where true relaxation lies along with healing. Most of all, rest and bodywork allow your horse’s body to rebalance naturally, rather than just “pause” in its current state of tension.
Off-season is also a time to address subtle issues that may have been masked by adrenaline or conditioning during the show season. Through bodywork, long held restrictions can be revealed and released. The improved circulation will help support immune and digestive health. Along with reinforcement of positive postural habits before training resumes. It’s a whole-body reset.
Building a smart recovery plan for your horse while in post season can make a world of difference once show season rolls around again. For best results pair bodywork with other recovery essentials like turnout, nutritional adjustments for repair and muscle maintenance, and gradual conditioning before returning to full work. Your horse will thank you!
