The Secret Seven - Formula for Keeping your Horse Sound

1. PREPARE A PLAN: Planning for your riding season is one of the most important steps you can take, whatever your discipline. It is your road map to success.

Keeping a good balance between the frequency and intensity of your competition schedule is essential. Both you and your horse need to be challenged and grow during the season but not be over-stretched. For many of us, husbands, partners, friendships and most importantly children all add their own dimensions to the mix. What considerations do we need to make for them? Other commitments also play a huge role too so sit down at the beginning of the season and map out a competition plan. Listen to your gut - are you thinking this is too much or too little? Regularly modify your competition schedule to suit; nothing is set in stone.

In the lead-up to an event, fine tuning a plan is essential. Know and practice exactly what you have to do. If you are required to jump 90cm, make sure you are confidently jumping 1m - 1.10m at home. Know the movements in your dressage test so there are no surprises for you or your horse; learn your test even if you plan to use a caller. Focus on turning your weaknesses into strengths. Is your racehorse slow or inconsistent out of the gates? Work out why and practice.

Prepare your equipment as far in advance of an event/meet as possible. Ensure your truck/float/vehicle is road worthy, with current road user miles, WOF/COF and registration. Check the tyres and the lights. If you haven't used your vehicle for a while take it for a test drive to warm it up and determine if everything is running smoothly. Most importantly leave for the event in plenty of time. Allow time for rest stops and unexpected delays so that you can give your horse the best ride possible both in the float and at the event!

2. Fitness Program: The fitness of both you and your horse can mean the difference between a great day out and a life-shattering injury. Make sure you and your horse peak right on the event. Sit down and take an honest look at yourself and your fitness level. What you do need to do to help your horse keep you safe? It may be losing those few winter kgs which have crept on, increasing your cardiovascular fitness so you are not gasping for breath. Strength training and flexibility are huge contributing factors to help you and your horse successfully work towards your goals. If your competitions are close together, do more technical schooling in between; if they are spaced further apart, focus on fitness. Timing rest breaks to allow you and your horses' bodies to heal can also mean the difference between a successful season and a disastrous one.

The age of both you and your horse also needs to be considered in fitness training. Young horses tend to hold their fitness but require more technical schooling. Older schoolmaster types need more fitness work than technical work. Get the support of an experienced trainer to assist with lessons and advise.

3. Spice it up! What does your horse love to do? Is it dressage and your horse is spooky while hacking? Then school dressage while you are out wandering along the road.

The concentration required by the horse for dressage movements will take his mind off the monsters hiding in the bushes!

Own a jumping fiend? Put a few cavaletti up in the arena to mix up his boredom with flatwork schooling. Hunting is also fabulous for stress relief for the right horse/rider combination.

Racing? Hacking out and beach riding are popular. Some dressage riders are being hired by racehorse trainers to teach the horse balance and correctness and the most efficient use of the horse's muscles. Working in the correct frame a horse is able to engage its powerful hind quarters - the birth place of the speed demon! Endurance horses require schooling and flat work for a similar reason. Everyone should try endurance riding. It is brilliant for the horse and the rider and it is a good reminder of what a beautiful country we live in!

4. Be aware of your weakest link! Know the injury history of both you and your horse. If you identify that your horse has a history of tendon damage, monitor it and be conservative on every outing. Hosing down his legs, applying Arnica cream or tendon cooling poultices and bandaging should be incorporated in your routine.

Back injury? Ensure your saddle fits correctly and gets regular check ups with experienced qualified practitioners. Age must be considered in the long-term wellbeing of your horse. If your horse is 4-5 years old and you are jumping at 1-1.20m, consider the long term soundness implications for them. Is it worth it for now if the horse is unsound at the age of 9-10 years old? For some it is - is it for you? Treat your older horse with kid gloves and they will repay you with soundness and happiness well into their twilight years with a bit of luck thrown in there!

5. Be Safe: You know the rules but do you follow them? Horse rider injury statistics when compared to other sports is enough to make even the most battle hardened ACC assessor burst into tears and dive straight into the nearest pub! As horse riders we do not have the most injuries but hey when we do it we do it BIG! So please give your gear regular checks for safety. If you fall off, replace your hat. Wear body protectors and ride to you and your horse's ability.

Riding alone? Tell someone where you are going and what time you will be back and stick to it. Take your cell phone. Make sure you are up to speed with your first-aid. Some day you could make the difference between life and death.

6. Somebody needs to care for the bodies! Stretches are a simple way to keep both you and your horse sound. You exercise by contracting muscles.

If they are not stretched or lengthened then muscles can shorten by up to 40%. This is extremely important and can be looked at in two ways:

- Shortened muscles cannot adapt to increased pressure so are susceptible to rupture and tear. Muscles are attached to bone by tendons. If the muscle is shortened this places more tension on the tendons and suddenly you have bowed tendons. Bummer there goes your horse!

- If you and your horse do simple stretches and have regular massages (say every 3 to 6 months depending on your competition intensity) you can increase your horses muscle contractibility by 40%. That means your horses muscle can function 40% better! It's a no brainer!

7. Recognising when things just aren't happening: Does it feel like every step forward is five steps back? Sometimes success is recognising when you are about to fail! Stop to weigh up your options once your preparation is done. Has it gone well or badly? Is pushing ahead worth the risk if every part of your instinct is telling you "No not this time mate!" Remember what this is all about - having fun. So go ahead and ENJOY!

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