Horse glossary
Cool Down
Easy work at the end to help the body return to normal.
In Spanish: Enfriamiento
What it means
A cool-down is the easy work at the end of a ride, usually several minutes of relaxed walking, that lets the horse's body return to normal. It gives the horse's breathing, heart rate, and temperature time to settle. On hot days it may also include rinsing with water and scraping it off.
Why it matters
Putting a hot, sweaty horse away too soon can leave it stiff, overheated, or chilled. A proper cool-down helps muscles recover and gives you time to notice any signs of tiredness or lameness.
Example
Cool down with a calm walk.
Try this
Walk until the horse's breathing is back to normal and its chest feels cool to the touch, not hot. Watch its flanks: when they stop heaving and rise and fall slowly, it is getting close.
Common mistake
Stopping right after the last hard exercise and hopping off is a common habit. Build the cool-down into every ride, even short ones.