When it comes to the care and feeding of your horse, the more you know, the better off you and your horse will be. That is why here at Kelcie’s we believe that every horse owner should know and understand the principles of equine exercise physiology. While these principles typically only apply to healthy animals in good condition, we are going to take a look at some of them to explain the benefits. As always, consult your veterinarian before beginning any equine exercise program and be sure to have plenty of nutritious and naturally healthy Kelcie’s Horse Treats on hand as rewards for a job well done.
Get to know 5 principles of Equine Exercise Physiology
A physiological system will adapt to stress by making itself more resistant to future stresses – this is also known as the “Overload Theory” and it relates to the adaptation of your horse’s muscles and other systems to additional stressors from a ‘more strenuous than usual’ workout.
The adaptation to overload occurs during rest periods – when your horse is working hard, his body is busy accommodating the additional workload. It is when he is at rest that his body is adapting to the additional workload.
All individuals respond differently to training – we all know that every horse is different and, as such, every horse responds differently to training. It might take some horses longer than others to show results and be prepared because your horse might not adapt to a particular workout at all.
All adaptations are reversible – just because your horse seems to adapt well to a new routine, doesn’t mean that the changes have to be permanent. If your horse becomes inactive, even for a couple of weeks, it might need additional training to regain any gains they have lost.
There is a rate-limiting factor in all processes – there is a wide range of factors that work together to help your horse achieve maximum performance, but there is only a few working against him. These could include a lack of flexibility, insufficient muscle strength or poor balance, among other similar conditions.
Combine exercise with reward – take a look at the health benefits of Kelcie’s Horse Treats
Buy Kelcie’s Horse Treats – the wholesome ingredients, combined with our unique process, make them a nutritious, easily digestible reward for your equine companion.
Visit our shop to buy our selection of safe and healthy, natural horse treats specially made for the needs of your horse. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and stay connected to receive updates and exciting news. Post your own pictures on social media and tell us what you and your horse thinks of Kelcie’s Horse Treats.
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