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

The Ultimate Guide to Pre- and Post-Ride Horse Care

Excerpt: Whether you’re trail riding or chasing points in the arena, how you prep and recover your horse before and after the ride makes all the difference. This guide walks you through the essential steps—and the smart products—to keep your horse performing, feeling, and looking their best.

🔁 Pre-Ride Routine: Get Your Horse Ready to Work

1. Start with a Quick Hands-On Check

Before tack goes on, run your hands over legs, back, shoulders, and girth area. Check for heat, swelling, soreness, or new bumps.

2. Stretch and Walk

Give them a few minutes to walk out, stretch the neck, and loosen joints. For older or performance horses, light groundwork or longeing helps warm soft tissue.

3. Apply Pre-Ride Support Products

  • Draw It Out® High Potency Gel: Apply on legs and back to promote circulation and prep joints/muscles.
  • Hydro-Lyte Recovery Spray: Use before competition to support hydration transdermally.
  • SilverHoof EQ Therapy®: Massage around coronary band and heels to support hoof elasticity and comfort.

🛠️ Post-Ride Recovery: Soothe, Support, and Set Up for Tomorrow

1. Cool Down Gradually

Walk until respiration and heart rate normalize. Don’t rush it—this is essential for lactic acid processing.

2. Target Key Areas with Liniment

  • Draw It Out® Gel: Reapply on legs, back, stifles, or wherever they worked hardest. Won’t sting under wraps.
  • RTU Spray or IceBath Cooling Body Wash: Use for whole-body cooling and recovery.

3. Wrap or Boot as Needed

Use standing wraps or compression boots with Draw It Out® Gel underneath. Safe for overnight use and reduces stocking-up.

4. Post-Ride Check-In

Look for stiffness, sweat patterns, uneven loading, or tail swishing that might indicate soreness or imbalance.

🧰 Bonus Barn Hacks

  • Store Draw It Out® Gel in a small pump bottle for easy barn aisle use.
  • Use MasterMudd™ EquiBrace™ after heavier work sessions or to support soft tissue on legs.
  • Keep ShowBarn Secret® Detangler in your tack trunk to freshen up tails before and after saddle time.

🧠 Smart Care = Sound Horses

Consistent care before and after riding helps prevent injury, improve performance, and build a deeper bond with your horse. With naturally derived, show-safe products like those from Draw It Out®, you’re setting your horse up for long-term success.

Ready to elevate your ride? Explore performance-ready care with Draw It Out®.