How to Cool Down Your Horse After Riding

Beginner-Friendly Recovery Tips That Actually Work

Cooling down your horse after riding isn’t just something you do if you have extra time. It’s a key part of good horse care and plays a big role in keeping your horse comfortable, sound, and ready for the next ride.

Whether you’re hopping off after a light hack or finishing a harder schooling session, a proper cool-down helps regulate body temperature, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent leg swelling. If you’ve ever wondered how long to cool out, what actually matters, or what’s worth doing consistently, you’re in the right place.

Let’s break it down in a way that’s simple, practical, and easy to stick to.

Why Cooling Down Matters for Horses

During exercise, your horse’s muscles heat up, circulation increases, and metabolic byproducts like lactic acid build up in the muscles. Cooling down helps the body return to normal gradually instead of abruptly.

A good cool-down can help:

  • Lower body temperature safely

  • Reduce muscle stiffness and soreness

  • Support circulation and lymphatic drainage

  • Minimize swelling in the legs

  • Improve overall recovery between rides

Skipping this step or rushing it can leave your horse feeling tight, uncomfortable, or stocked up the next day, especially after harder work or warm weather rides.

Step 1: Walk It Out First

The foundation of every good cool-down is walking.

After your ride:

  • Walk for at least 10–15 minutes

  • Allow your horse to stretch on a long rein

  • Continue until breathing returns to normal and sweat begins to dry

Walking helps flush muscles, regulate circulation, and slowly bring the heart rate down. This step is non-negotiable, even after an easy ride.

On hot days or after intense work, longer is better. If your horse is still breathing hard or feels very warm to the touch, keep walking.

Step 2: Untack and Let Heat Escape

Once your horse’s breathing has settled, untack promptly so trapped heat can escape.

  • Remove the saddle and pads

  • Loosen or remove boots and wraps

  • Sponge or scrape sweaty areas if needed

Pay extra attention to areas where heat builds up quickly, like under the saddle, girth area, and between the hind legs. Letting your horse stand fully tacked while cooling can slow the process down.

Step 3: Cooling the Legs After Riding

Even if your ride didn’t feel intense, your horse’s legs still absorb a lot of impact and strain. Cooling them properly helps reduce inflammation and fluid buildup.

Cold Hosing

Cold hosing is one of the most effective and accessible ways to cool the legs:

  • Start at the hoof and work upward

  • Focus on tendons, cannon bones, and joints

  • Hose for 10–20 minutes per leg

Cold water helps constrict blood vessels temporarily, which can reduce inflammation and soothe tired tissues after exercise.

Cooling Products

Cooling gels and topical products are a great option when:

  • You don’t have access to a hose

  • You’re short on time

  • You want extended cooling effects

They’re especially useful at shows or busy barns where cold hosing isn’t always practical.

After especially hard rides, hot weather schooling, or long show days, some riders choose to add poultice into their post-ride routine. Once your horse is fully cooled, poultice can help draw out heat and support tired legs as part of overall recovery.

If you’re new to it or not sure when it makes sense to use, we break everything down in our beginner’s guide to poultice for horses, including when to apply it and how to use it correctly.

Step 4: Supporting Muscle Recovery

Cooling down isn’t just about temperature. Muscles also need support after work.

Helpful recovery habits include:

  • Gentle stretching during hand-walking

  • Massage or bodywork tools

  • Quiet time to relax after exercise

This can be especially beneficial for horses in regular training programs, older horses, or those prone to stiffness.

Step 5: When (and When Not) to Use Wraps

Wraps can be a helpful recovery tool, but timing matters.

Only wrap legs once they are fully cool and dry. Wrapping warm or damp legs can trap heat and work against everything you’ve done to cool them down.

Used correctly, wraps can:

  • Support circulation

  • Help prevent stocking up

  • Keep legs tight overnight

They should never replace walking or cooling, only complement it.

Adjusting Your Cool-Down Based on the Ride

Not every ride requires the same level of recovery.

Light Hacks or Easy Flatwork

  • 10–15 minutes of walking

  • Untack and basic grooming

  • Optional leg check

Hard Schooling, Jumping, or Conditioning

  • Extended walking (15–20 minutes)

  • Cold hosing or cooling products

  • Extra attention to legs

Hot Weather Rides

  • Longer walk breaks

  • Sponging and scraping as needed

  • Shade and airflow whenever possible

Pay attention to how your horse feels rather than following a rigid formula.

Common Cool-Down Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced riders fall into these habits:

  • Skipping the walk and untacking immediately

  • Wrapping legs before they’ve cooled

  • Assuming light rides don’t need recovery

  • Cooling legs but ignoring overall body temperature

If your horse feels stiff or stocked up the next day, your cool-down routine likely needs a little more time.

Building a Consistent Post-Ride Routine

The best cool-down routine is one you can realistically do every ride.

A simple structure:

  1. Walk until breathing normalizes

  2. Untack promptly

  3. Address sweat and heat

  4. Cool and check legs

  5. Finish with grooming or quiet hand-walking

Consistency matters more than perfection.

In A Nutshell: Recovery Is Part of Training

Cooling down your horse properly after riding isn’t an extra step, it’s part of responsible horse care. A thoughtful post-ride routine supports soundness, comfort, and longevity, whether you ride occasionally or train regularly.

Your horse does the work. Cooling down is how you take care of them after.