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| STRATEGIC LAYOFFS |
 Introduction Many equestrian sports have an annual cycle in which a competition season alternates with on off-season. Even in the sports that continue on a year-round basis, most trainers schedule a break from competition, which gives the horse a chance to recover mentally and physically from the stress of travelling and competing. Consequently, long-term conditioning plans are based on an annual periodicity.
At the end of the competition season, the horse benefits from a period of "active rest," which involves riding or driving for pleasure two or three times a week to preserve the strength and suppleness of the musculoskeletal tissues, while allowing somewhat of a reduction in cardiovascular fitness. If a baseline level of fitness is maintained through a reduced work schedule, reconditioning proceeds much more rapidly the following season. It is not recommended that horses be let down completely, except during recuperation from injury, because large oscillations in fitness are detrimental to long term soundness. In older horses it is particularly important to maintain fitness in the off season because reconditioning takes longer as the horse ages.
The conditioning process comprises three distinct, but complementary areas known as cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and suppling exercises. Cardiovascular conditioning enhances the ability of the respiratory, cardiovascular and muscular systems to produce energy by the appropriate metabolic pathways. Strength training is directed toward increasing the power or endurance of the muscle groups that are important for performance of the specific sport. Suppling exercises increase the range of motion of the joints, which makes the horse more athletic, improves the esthetics of the performance, and reduces the risk of injury.
When a horse ceases to perform conditioning exercise, it loses fitness. The rate at which cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal strength and suppleness are lost determines the time required to recondition the horse following a lay off. This is an important consideration during rehabilitation. For example, when a horse is forced to rest completely due to injury, cardiovascular fitness is retained relatively well for the first few weeks. After a month of stall rest, there is some loss of oxidative enzymes in the muscles but this has little effect on performance. However, after six months of rest, horses have more difficulty completing a standard exercise test: they sweat more, indicating less effective thermoregulation; their breathing is more labored; and there is a marked increase in the post-exercise blood lactate concentration due to the reduced aerobic capacity.
When the horse is let down at the end of the competitive season, a baseline level of fitness is maintained during the off season by performing cardiovascular workouts twice a week at a reduced intensity and duration (active rest). A short layoff of a month or less causes minimal loss of cardiovascular fitness. However, the workload should be reintroduced gradually over a period of several days when exercise resumes. If the horse has been off work for longer than a month, it is reasonable to assume some loss of cardiovascular fitness though this may be regained relatively rapidly. As a rule of thumb, beyond the first month, each additional month off requires a month's reconditioning. Muscles also lose strength during a lay off. When exercise is resumed, muscles adapt relatively rapidly, though it takes longer to regain muscular strength than cardiovascular fitness. A single workout each week is usually sufficient to preserve muscular strength. A more significant long term concern following a long lay off is the loss of strength in the ligaments and tendons. These structures respond very slowly to the stimulus of exercise, and the time required to regain their strength is considerably longer than the length of the layoff.
As you enter into active rest or "roughing off", you must consider the whole horse. Take approximately two weeks to come down from the current level of fitness by decreasing both exercise and diet gradually. In addition, increase the amount of daily turnout, removing blankets one at a time as the horse begins to grow a longer, thicker coat. Try to remove your horse's shoes for a couple of months each year as well, to encourage a healthier foot to grow. Due to individual foot characteristics, this procedure may not benefit every horse.
You, your trainer and your veterinarian know what is best for your horse and your equine competition goals. Work with these professionals to develop a strategic plan to safely bring your horse up from rest as well as down from competition to increase your chances of having a healthier mount for a longer time. For more detailed information about The McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine, please visit the The McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine Website at http://cvm.msu.edu/dressage/index.htm
Dr. Hilary M. Clayton
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