Recovery management after equine competition events is critical for welfare. Poor recovery practices contribute to injury, chronic fatigue, and reduced performance longevity.
The welfare of competition horses depends heavily on decisions made in the hours and days following an event. Horses who compete repeatedly with inadequate recovery develop cumulative fatigue that impairs not just performance but wellbeing. Behavioral signs — reluctance to load, girthiness, or changes in temperament — often indicate that a horse is not recovering adequately. Elite sport horse programs increasingly incorporate heart rate variability, muscle enzyme monitoring, and behavioral assessments to guide recovery decisions in an evidence-based way.