You might be thinking young horses shouldn’t need treatment. Well actually they very well might for a number of reasons
- They play in the field and may knock into each other, fall over or slip
- They do other silly things like jump out of stables!
- If they are starting ground work or ridden work they are using their bodies in ways they are not used to and might need additional support through treatment
- Hard or soft ground can also effect them as it can older horses
- Growing can affect co-ordination, balance and flexibility. Sometimes bone grows faster than muscle causing tight and sore muscles in young horses
All the above are good reasons as to why a young horse may need treatment, however getting young horses treated also gets them used to being handled which will help them further down the line. Reducing stress and anxiety. It can be a relaxing and trust building process, forming part of their education.
Having your young horse treated before they are backed will also make sure that everything is good to go. Its also worth while having treatment during the backing process to identity any areas that might be weak and tight. By doing this a young horse is able to progress more effectively and learn to use their bodies correctly as they won’t be in pain or discomfort. We don’t want young horses compensating as this will create bigger problems down the line, which may be harder to fix and cause injuries.
So having your young horse treated in the long run will help them on a physical and mental level. Its a good part of their education to get a well rounded individual that can cope with the demands placed on them. Its also something rewarding for them.
Pollyanna FitzGerald (Msc³, Bsc² (Hons), EBW, MMAA, MRAMP) 