Bodywork in the Winter
In colder weather, equine muscle performance can be greatly impacted. A study found that in humans there is a 2–5% decrease in muscle performance for every degree Celsius drop in muscle temperature. Although this study was done in humans, it is safe to assume there is a similar drop in equine muscle performance for a variety of reasons. In the cold, everything slows down. Muscle fibers don’t contract as quickly, nerves fire slower, and muscles in turn become stiffer. Blood flow is also directed to the core to keep organs warm, which therefore diminishes the amount of blood flow to the limbs.
Not only are individual muscles affected, but how muscles interact with each other is also affected. Horses have antagonistic muscles, meaning when one muscle contracts, its opposite (antagonist) muscle contracts to help control movement. When it is cold, antagonist muscles contract harder than they should, resulting in reduced movement, tighter strides, and reduced natural shock absorption. All these things come together to create a horse that feels less coordinated or like it is bracing when you ride.
Joints are also affected in colder temperatures. Horses have a cool feature where their joint fluid is thixotropic, meaning it becomes thinner with movement. Cold temperatures cause the synovial fluid within the joints to become thicker. This can cause your horse to feel “sticky” until they are warmed up. The more they move, the more viscous their joint fluid becomes. This is why you may need longer warm-ups in the winter to get the joints moving.
So how does bodywork help? It supports muscle mobility when soft tissue is colder and stiffer. It also helps horses maintain their normal movement patterns by increasing the blood flow to their muscles. Bodywork can also be used right before a ride to complement longer warm-up times. If you get blood flow moving to the muscles before a warm-up, it can essentially jump-start your horse’s system so you can maximize your warm-up time. Finally, horses tend to move less in the winter. They may not be turned out as much or may have a smaller space to move around in. Bodywork can be used to offset the decreased activity by improving circulation.
Winter doesn’t have to mean stiffness and restricted movement for your horse. Regular bodywork can help bridge the gap created by colder temperatures and reduced activity, keeping muscles loose, joints comfortable, and movement fluid. It’s one of the best ways to support your horse’s wellness now while preparing them for a strong, healthy start to the riding season ahead.
