Cooling out is the process of returning a horse's body temperature, heart rate, and respiration to normal following exercise. It is an essential part of every ride or competition appearance, not an optional step. A horse that is put back in its stable while still hot and blowing risks a range of serious health complications, including tying up, colic, and in hot weather, heat stress.
Why Cooling Out Matters
During moderate to hard exercise, a horse's core body temperature can rise significantly — from a resting temperature of approximately 37.5–38.5°C to 40°C or above during intense effort. The cardiovascular system works hard to divert blood flow to the working muscles and to the skin surface, where heat is dissipated through sweating and radiation. Stopping exercise abruptly and confining the horse to a stable before this process is complete interrupts normal thermoregulation.
Blood pooling in the large muscles of the hindquarters — combined with residual metabolic waste products like lactic acid — is associated with episodes of exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying up), particularly in horses predisposed to the condition. Slow, active cooling out allows the circulatory system to gradually redistribute blood flow and clear metabolic byproducts.
Additionally, a horse returned to its stable and fed immediately after hard work is at elevated risk of colic, as blood flow redirected from the gut during exercise takes time to return to normal. Feeding should be delayed until the horse is fully cooled out and drinking normally.
How to Cool Out Effectively
The correct cooling-out process depends on the intensity of work, ambient temperature, and the individual horse's fitness level, but the general approach is consistent:
- Walk for the final 10–15 minutes of every ride — finishing with sustained active walking rather than a sudden halt allows the body to begin self-regulation before the horse stops moving.
- Untack and walk in hand if needed — for horses still hot after the initial walk-down, continue hand-walking until respiration and temperature normalise.
- Use a sweat scraper — after washing down, scraping excess water away from the coat speeds evaporation and prevents chilling.
- Offer small amounts of water frequently — a horse should not be allowed to drink deeply when still very hot, but small sips can begin rehydration. Once the horse is cooler, water access can be unrestricted.
- Use a cooler rug in cold or wet weather — a wicking cooler rug draws moisture away from the skin and prevents the horse from chilling while it dries. A wet horse standing in a cold draught without a cooler is at risk of muscle stiffness and respiratory problems.
Cooling Out at Competitions
At events, particularly in hot or humid conditions, active cooling becomes more critical. Cold water applied to the large muscle groups — neck, hindquarters, and between the hind legs — is an effective way to reduce core temperature rapidly. At FEI-level endurance and three-day eventing, dedicated FEI veterinary checks between phases specifically assess recovery rates, and a horse that is not cooling down adequately may be eliminated on welfare grounds.
Competition grooms working in these environments are trained in post-exertion assessment: monitoring heart rate recovery, mucous membrane colour, skin turgor (a hydration indicator), and gut sounds as part of a systematic cool-down check.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when my horse has fully cooled out?
A horse is cooled out when its respiration has returned to normal resting rate (approximately 8–16 breaths per minute), the skin temperature is even and not markedly hot to the touch, any sweating has stopped, and the horse appears relaxed and settled rather than blowing or uncomfortable. For horses new to regular work, a quick check of the capillary refill time — pressing on the gum above the teeth and counting the seconds for colour to return — can give a basic indication of cardiovascular recovery.
Should I always wash my horse down after exercise?
Not necessarily — a short, light hack on a cool day may require nothing more than a brisk walk home and removal of tack. Washing down is most beneficial after hard work, hot weather, or when the horse is heavily sweated. In winter, washing a horse and then leaving it unrugged to air-dry in a cold stable can cause chilling; a sweat rug or towelling-down followed by a cooler is often more appropriate than a full wash.
Can a horse be fed immediately after exercise?
No. Wait until the horse has fully cooled out and is drinking normally before offering hard feed. Forage (hay or haylage) is less problematic and can be offered once the horse is settled, but large grain or concentrate feeds on a compromised digestive system increase colic risk. The standard advice is to wait at least 30–60 minutes after hard work before feeding, and longer if the horse is still showing signs of elevated temperature or heart rate.