High standards, low costs: horse-care tips inspired by Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival is often described as the Olympics of jump racing, with horses competing at the very highest level. They’re cared for by racing yards that keep them in peak physical condition – and while owners spend serious money for that level of attention, the principles behind this stellar level of care aren’t exclusive to the racing world. You don’t need a big yard or a big budget to give your horse pro-level care. Here are five smart practices you can adapt for your own set-up.

What the pros do: Racing yards run like clockwork, with feeding, exercise and turnout happening at the same time every day. This isn’t just routine for routine’s sake, either – the consistency is useful for horses and workers as it means the horses function more reliably and can be cared for more predictably.

How you can do it: Introduce the power of consistency to your own yard by keeping your horse on regular mealtimes and exercise plans.

What the pros do: Trainers check the health of their horses every day, from feet and legs to behaviour and appetite. Regular checking means any health conditions are more likely to be noticed sooner rather than later, and can be treated sooner, too.

How you can do it: You don’t need fancy equipment to monitor your horse’s health. Here, consistency is key: check vitals, as well as behaviour and appetite, every day. Keep a logbook – or use an app – to build a picture of your horse’s health over time. If anything’s amiss, it’s best to contact a vet.

What the pros do: There’s no shortage of costly horse feed on the market, but you only need to look at a racing yard’s approach to food to know that expensive doesn’t always mean best. Racing yards pay special care to make sure a horse’s diet is properly tailored to them, factoring in their condition, workload and temperament.

How you can do it: Good forage is the foundation of any horse’s nutrition plan, but it’s also important to bear in mind that every horse is unique, and would benefit from a tailored care plan to support their wellbeing.

What the pros do: Yard staff use structured fitness plans to get horses into peak physical condition, with warm-ups, workouts, cool downs and rest days. Instead of using a template, the trainer pays close attention to how the horse does during the session and then tailors future sessions around that.

How you can do it: While it’s tempting to only take your horse out when the weather’s nice, keeping them truly healthy means regular and intentional exercise – and rest – rain or shine.

What the pros do: Trainers know that all the proper care and training in the world would be incomplete without creating the right environment. That means suitable turnout schedules, making sure stables are clean and well-ventilated, and ensuring horses have adequate bedding at all times.

How you can do it: You’ll notice that none of these things are too costly to do yourself – regular mucking out, proper airflow, and thoughtful turnout help to create a calming and comfortable environment for the horse.

Consistency and proactive care go a long way – and so does having the right backup in place. We can help you find equine insurance that’s built around your everyday needs as a horse owner.

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Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.