the 3 stages of equine rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a critical part of helping horses recover from injury and return to full function. Understanding the three recognised stages of rehabilitation—early, mid, and late—can guide equine practitioners and horse owners in creating effective rehab plans tailored to each horse’s needs.

Early-Stage Rehabilitation: Settling Things Down

This stage focuses on gentle, controlled exercise to support tissue healing and manage pain. Research shows that even a single bout of exercise can reduce pain through multiple analgesic mechanisms (Lesnak & Sluka, 2020). However, careful attention must be paid to exercise dosage to avoid overloading fragile tissues. Activities might include:

• Walking on flat, straight surfaces.
• Ground exercises to improve weight shift and mobility.
• Incorporating flat poles for variety.

Mid-Stage Rehabilitation: Building Back Up
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As tissues heal, the focus shifts to gradually increasing the load on bones and soft tissues to promote adaptation. This phase often requires ongoing adjustments to maintain progress and client compliance. Exercises at this stage may include:

• Faster speeds, circles, and slopes.
• Raised poles or more complex pole configurations.
• Ground and ridden exercises targeting strength and stability.

Late-Stage Rehabilitation: Preparing for Return to High Performance
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This often-overlooked stage ensures that the horse is ready to handle the demands of full work and competition. Without progressive, discipline-specific training, horses are at risk of re-injury. Advanced exercises might include:

• ​High-intensity training and sport-specific movements.
• Gymnastic jumping, lateral movements, and collected gaits.
• Longer, more intense training sessions with varied surfaces and gradients.

Why It Matters
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Each stage requires careful planning and progression to avoid overloading tissues and to ensure the horse is physically and mentally prepared for the demands of its job. By gradually introducing variables like speed, surface changes, and obstacles, we can safely guide horses through the rehabilitation process.

Want to learn more about crafting effective rehab plans for your equine patients? Check out our book for detailed guidance and practical insights, or subscribe to EQ Active, our exercise prescription software to create customised programs that will allow you to effectively guide your clients through each rehab stage.