Racehorses are dynamic animals with the will and drive to succeed on the race track. Years of racing can cause weak muscles and injuries. Equine therapy is essential for a retired racehorse to steadily recover.
Perusing horse racing betting sites can excite you for upcoming races with horses still participating on the track. Make live bets instead of pre-race bets so you can analyse all the changing odds before placing wagers. Evaluate all historical data, including a horse’s track performance and whether they will retire soon or not.
When Do Racehorses Usually Retire?
The retirement age for racehorses varies. Average retirement happens between the ages of 4 and 6 for flat horses. Some can compete until they are aged 7 to 8. Others retire earlier because of a serious injury or being unsuccessful on the track.
Geldings are more likely to race longer than other racehorses. Certain Standardbreds who primarily participate in harness racing could stay on the track until they’re 10 years old.
1. Massage Therapy to Guide Muscle Recovery
Years of high-speed racing deteriorate a horse’s body to where slow and steady repair is necessary. Their back, legs, and joints should undergo massage therapy for proper muscle recovery.
Equine massage therapists work to reduce muscle tension and alleviate soreness for their patients. Treatments also help enhance blood circulation.
They feel the horse’s body to identify problem areas while utilising gentle hand techniques to make it comfortable again. Equine therapy goes beyond improving physical well-being; it also helps emotionally for a horse to feel more relaxed.
2. Groundwork Therapy to Rebuild Trust and Communication
Horses may become anxious or distrust particular handlers after enduring their stressful racing career. Groundwork therapy is effective for retired racehorses because trainers are at the horse’s ground level while rebuilding trust. Exercises including leading, backing up, yielding, and responding to verbal commands rebuild trust between a horse and its trainer.
Rather than being on high alert like on the racetrack, groundwork therapy guides horses to have calm responses towards human cues. This refines a safe foundation for the horse to pursue new activities post-racing, such as children’s horseback riding at events or fairs.
3. Hydrotherapy for Joint and Tendon Support
Hydrotherapy is effective for racehorses to recover from injuries or to slowly restore muscles from years of overworking them. Horses can go on underwater treadmills to stretch their muscles, combined with the gentle water resistance. They can also soak in specialty equine cold-water spas or swimming pools to relax and heal the wear and tear.
Water helps lessen stress on joints and tendons. The gentle resistance slowly strengthens the muscles back to their former glory with continued hydrotherapy sessions. Horses can undergo fitness regimens safely without the risk of further injuries.
4. Natural Horsemanship for Mental Wellness
Handlers are experts in natural horsemanship. This equine therapy tactic connects a horse and human with intuitive and gentle communication. Racehorses who experienced more rigid, performance-based training methods can now relax and connect with humans without the stress of maintaining track performance standards.
5. Acupuncture and Chiropractic Adjustments
Acupuncture enhances equine rehabilitation by encouraging pain management and balancing energy within a horse’s body. An equine chiropractor can correct misalignments in the horse’s joints and spine to alleviate discomfort. These treatments help with long-term issues such as uneven gaits or stiffness throughout the body.
A New Lease on Life
After investing all their energy on the race track, retired racehorses can relax and recover at a slower pace with these equine therapy methods. Whether they move on to another career after horse racing or spend their days leisurely in an open pasture, racehorses deserve a relaxing life post-racing.