🏅 Vet Guide: Recovery for Jumping Horses After Competition | 2025 Muscle Fatigue, Enzyme Markers & Rest Recommendations 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

For many show horses—especially jumpers—**competition is nearly a weekly routine**. While horses may appear sound and willing from event to event, **muscle recovery can lag behind**, putting them at increased risk for strain or injury. 🧠🐎

Veterinarians from the **University of Messina in Italy** conducted a study to determine whether a **5-day rest period is enough** for horses that compete every weekend. The answer? Not quite. 📊

🔬 Understanding Muscle Fatigue in Performance Horses

Exercise, especially at the **high intensity of competition**, causes **muscle fibers to break down**, triggering a metabolic response. Blood tests measuring **muscle enzymes like CK (creatine kinase)** and **AST (aspartate aminotransferase)** can indicate the extent of muscle stress or damage. 💉

Key Findings from the Study:

• 🩺 Blood samples from **12 jumping horses** were taken before and after competitions across **two consecutive weekends**
• 📈 Muscle enzyme levels were higher after the second weekend
• 📉 This increase suggests **incomplete muscle recovery** between events

The takeaway? **Five days (Sunday to Friday) isn’t enough** for full muscle repair—especially when horses are asked to repeat peak effort week after week. ⚠️

🏋️‍♂️ Competition vs. Training Intensity

You might think regular training at home would produce the same physical toll as a weekend competition. But the **intensity of jumping competition** is notably higher—even if training sessions are longer. 📏🔥

In Competition:

• 🏇 Maximal jumping height and speed
• 🎯 Sharp turns, acceleration, and deceleration
• 💥 Emotional and mental stress

In Training:

• 🧠 More gradual effort
• 🩺 Less overall strain per session

Training may condition a horse—but **doesn’t replicate the physical toll** of show-day performance. 🧪

📆 Rethinking Recovery Periods for Jumpers

The study supports a longer recovery time between competitions—especially for horses showing signs of **muscle fatigue, stiffness, or inconsistent performance**. A horse’s ability to perform doesn’t always match its **biological recovery state**. 📉

Recommended Adjustments:

• 🛏️ Increase rest days between events—aim for **7–10 days** for full muscle repair
• 💊 Use enzyme blood testing to track post-event recovery
• 🧊 Incorporate supportive therapies like **cold therapy**, **massage**, and **stretching**

🧪 Using Muscle Enzyme Testing as a Tool

Regular blood testing after competition can help identify muscle overload early—before it manifests as soreness, strain, or reduced performance. 📋

Tests to Request:

• 🧪 **CK (Creatine Kinase)** – spikes quickly with muscle damage
• 🧪 **AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)** – rises more slowly, stays elevated longer

Pair test results with clinical signs for a more accurate picture of recovery. 🧠

📲 Use Ask A Vet to Manage Recovery Smarter

The Ask A Vet app helps trainers and owners optimize recovery and manage post-show care:

• 📱 Track performance, soreness, and behavior changes
• 📊 Log competition dates and recovery periods
• 🧪 Ask about muscle enzyme testing or supportive therapies
• 🧠 Build custom plans for elite equine athletes

Support recovery and prevent overuse injuries before they start. 🐴📲

✅ Recovery Takeaways for 2025

• 🏋️‍♂️ Jumping horses experience significant muscle stress during competition
• 📆 A 5-day recovery window is often **too short** to restore full muscle health
• 🧪 Elevated enzymes after back-to-back events indicate **incomplete healing**
• 📉 Recovery needs to go beyond “looking sound”—internal repair takes time
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to manage competitive schedules and post-event care

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Performance horses aren’t machines—and even the best athletes need time to recover. By respecting recovery cycles, using objective tools like enzyme tests, and tailoring post-show care, we can ensure our equine partners stay strong, sound, and ready to compete. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app to monitor recovery, request testing, and build a post-event care plan that protects your horse's long-term performance. 🐎📱