Similar to human athletes, horses that warm up properly before exercise experience fewer injuries and perform better. An adequate warmup can help increase the horse’s body temperature and progressively prepare the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems for work. Historically, broad research on the topic has been sparse. To address this gap, Thibault Frippiat, DVM, Dipl. ECVSMR, and Dominique-Marie Votion, DVM, Dipl. ECVSMR, of the University of Liege’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, in Belgium, reviewed the existing literature about various warm-up techniques and their effects on performance in elite equine athletes.

The Effects of Common Horse Warm-Up Strategies on Performance

“As a sports veterinarian, I am involved in the physical preparation of many horses,” said Frippiat. “Owners regularly question me about the most profitable warming-up strategy for preparing horses for the subsequent exercise (be it training or a show).”

In human studies a high-intensity warmup—mainly speed work or exercises that rapidly increase heart rate, body temperature, etc.—did not enhance athletes’ ability in some activities, such as sprint cycling, but the strategy did improve performance in other athletes such as soccer players. Athletes starting with high-intensity exercise experienced suboptimal performance.

In Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, researchers have reported that loosening up athletes over about 2 miles at a speed slower than racing speed can increase their time to fatigue; however, they did not observe any advantages with high-intensity warmups.  

In elite show-jumping horses a high-intensity warmup decreased competition performance, and taking more jumps in warmup was associated with more penalty points and lower placings. When compared to show-jumping horses, dressage horses warmed up for longer periods (an average of 35 minutes, where show-jumping horses warmed up for an average of 27 minutes), which was associated with higher (better) final scores. However, researchers found that extreme exercise intensity resulted in early fatigue and reduced performance capacity.

Show-jumping riders reported the trot as the main gait during warmup, while dressage riders spent more time in the walk.

Take-Home Message

“A warmup benefits the horse’s performance and welfare,” said Frippiat. “However, it is important to note that a longer or more intensive warmup is not necessarily better. This understanding can significantly impact our approach to horse preparation.” Riders, trainers, and veterinarians should work together to assess each horse’s performance after different warmups to identify the most effective approach. The researchers said they hope to continue studying the effects of various warm-up strategies and develop recommendations for riders in different disciplines.

The study, Warm-Up Strategies and Effects on Performance in Racing Horses and Sport Horses Competing in Olympic Disciplines, was published in Animals in March 2024.