For many injuries during competition, the primary problem may result from the effects of conditioning.

In my thirteen years of working as a sports therapist with event horses, I have seen first hand how muscle restriction and soreness has limited the success and performance of many fine horses from novice to Olympic levels. Though many injuries occur during the heat of competition, further investigation often reveals that the primary problem can be traced back to when the horse was being conditioned for the job at hand.

Strength and Flexibility are the goals of any athletic training program. In many sports, both equine and human, the normal pattern of exercise it what we call "sport specific." a runner will train by running, a swimmer will just swim, etc. This sort of program develops power but sacrifices suppleness. In eventing, we must train for three different sports, building power for running and jumping while maintaining suppleness for the lateral work of dressage. Stretching exercises, both under the saddle or from the ground, can only do so much to extract maximum performance from the event horse. As many human athletes have discovered, introducing massage therapy into their training program gives them the edge they need.