Evidence-based approaches to supporting horse welfare during the recovery period after competition, addressing the physiological and psychological demands of performance.
Post-competition recovery represents a welfare window that receives less attention than pre-competition preparation but is equally important for long-term horse wellbeing. The physiological stress of competition — metabolic demand, electrolyte loss, muscle microtrauma — requires active management rather than passive rest to resolve optimally. Psychological recovery is often entirely neglected, despite evidence that competition stress affects horses' behavior and stress indicators for 24-48 hours after events. The welfare-centered competition schedule builds recovery time into the calendar rather than treating it as optional, and recognizes that a horse's ability to perform sustainably over a career depends on adequate recovery between demands.