Rick Dabner riding Noblewood Barcleona at Yalambi – Nov 17 © Eric Lloyd Photography

EVE JARVIS ADVISES COOLING IS CARING WHEN IT COMES TO LEG HEALTH
 
Are you doing everything you can to look after your horses’ legs…after all, where would you be without them? What you do after a workout plays a major part in both short term recovery and long term soundness, and taking the heat out of their legs is a key factor.
 
It’s a practice WA Equestrian Eve Jarvis swears by. Along with partner Rick Dabner, she runs ‘Team Equistar’, show jumping at the elite level as well breaking in, training, running clinics and breeding.
 
Eve says, “Horses aren’t designed very well. From the knees down, there’s really not much protection for their tendons, ligaments and joints but by knowing my horses’ legs, paying attention to them and applying a few simple practices, I can generally identify and treat problems before they affect their performance, soundness and attitude towards work.
 
Even when a horse has finished its workout, the temperature of the tendons keeps going up so we’re mindful of that in regards to using boots. They’re the last item of tack I put on and the first thing I take off afterwards. A heat stressed tendon is easily damaged so we spend a fair bit of time on the legs when we’re hosing off and we have a bottle of Kelato’s CoolingGEL hanging at the wash bay. It takes about two minutes to squeeze some onto your hands and rub into each leg. It’s absolutely my favourite product ever.
 
Even a horse being broken in will have this gel applied. The first time you are getting a young horse ready to be ridden or compete, you’re putting an immense, new type of pressure on their young legs. Like a bodybuilder, a steady increase in work means the tissues in their legs suffer some damage, they repair and they get stronger. Getting the heat out of their legs is paramount to avoid inflammation and keep them healthy.”
 
Eve says this practise is for everyone! Not just competition riders or those jumping big jumps but anyone who rides a horse. Awareness and education are key factors in maintaining leg health which is vital for horses to stay sound.

Written in conjunction with Kelato.

READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE