Pre- and Post-Ride Horse Care Guide | Draw It Out®

Horse Pre- & Post-Ride Care Guide | Warm-Up, Cool-Down & Recovery | Draw It Out®
Draw It Out® — Barn-Proven Routines

Horse Pre- & Post-Ride Care Guide

Simple, show-friendly workflows for better warm-ups, cleaner cool-downs, and calmer daily recovery—built around sensation-free, wrap-ready care once absorbed.

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Pre-Ride (3–5 minutes)

Quick Pre-Ride Checklist

  • Skin & tack scan: Check for rubs, heat, swelling, burrs; pads and girth clean.
  • Hoof & leg pass: Pick hooves; note heat, fill, or tenderness.
  • Targeted gel (thin layer): Fronts/shoulders, back/SI & loins, hindquarters/hamstrings as needed. Let it absorb before gear.
  • Gear security: Avoid slick product directly under high-friction contact; test fit.
Warm-Up (2–3 minutes)

Loosen-Up Sequence

  1. Long-and-low walk, 1–2 minutes to breathe and swing.
  2. Big circles, serpentines, and figure-eights to mobilize shoulders and hips.
  3. Add easy transitions and a few poles when the body feels willing.

Only a minute? Hit fronts (reach) and hamstrings (drive) first—biggest impact, fastest win.

Wraps & pads: Use only on intact skin. Allow gel to fully absorb, wipe excess, and monitor heat and tension. Avoid the exact high-friction saddle panel or girth contact if it could reduce tack security.
Post-Ride (3–5 minutes)

Cool-Down Routine

  1. Walk down until breathing and temperature settle.
  2. Quick wipe-down; check legs for heat, fill, or nicks.
  3. Thin, even gel layer on worked zones (fronts/shoulders, back/SI & loins, hindquarters/hamstrings).
  4. Optional wraps per program; clean, dry, and correctly tensioned.
Travel & Show Days

Trailer-Day Reset

  • Before loading: Light gel on fronts and hamstrings; allow full absorption.
  • After hauling: Walk out, then re-scan legs and back; reapply thinly where needed.
  • In the ring: Choose sensation-free, odorless care for tight timelines and sensitive horses.

Quick Comparison: Sensation-Free vs. Menthol/Capsaicin

Sensation-Free (e.g., Draw It Out® Gel)

Calm, Clean, Show-Friendly

  • No hot/cold tingle; fewer surprises on sensitive skin.
  • Odorless, colorless—no perfume cloud or dye transfer.
  • Wrap-friendly once absorbed; stays where you put it.
  • Built for daily use in pro programs.
Menthol/Capsaicin

Perceived Cool/Warm & Scented

  • Noticeable tingle; not every horse loves it.
  • Often scented; may leave residue or dye.
  • More prone to slide under heat/pressure.
  • Preference-dependent; check rules and routines.

FAQ

Can I use gel directly under the saddle pad or girth?

Better to avoid the exact high-friction contact. If you apply near it, let the gel fully absorb, wipe excess, and test tack security before mounting.

Daily use okay?

Yes—many riders use sensation-free gel pre- and post-ride and on travel days. Stop if irritation occurs and ask your veterinarian about medical concerns.

Under polos or standing wraps?

Use on intact skin after full absorption; avoid heavy layers; monitor heat and tension to keep things barn-safe.

What are “red flags” to call the vet?

Persistent or asymmetric heat/swelling, lameness, wounds, fever, behavior change under saddle, or anything that doesn’t improve with rest and routine care.

Ready for calmer routines and better rides?

Build a pre- and post-ride workflow that fits real barns and real schedules—no sting, no smell, wrap-friendly once absorbed.

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Not a drug. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult your veterinarian, farrier, and saddle-fitter for medical or fit questions.

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