Strapping - The art of getting your horse’s heart rate down!

This leaflet is intended as a guide on how to strap a horse after an Endurance ride.

To what extent you follow this guide can depend on what distance you have just competed over and how quick your horse recovers.

Be it 10km or 160km -there are many variables and strapping techniques. Each horse may also require different methods, but this guide will certainly get you headed in the correct direction.

Strapping goals

One of the main objects in multi-loop rides is to vet-in as soon as possible. Many riders will vet within a few minutes of crossing the line, even in 160km rides, but others will take the full 20 or 30 minutes – it is all dependant on your horse, its heart rate and recovery.

Continually monitor horse’s heart rate and skin temperature and adjust strapping accordingly - if a multi-loop ride vet sooner rather than later as your ride time continues until you vet.

In AWEC’s Series of Three, the overall series results are largely determined by each rounds heart rates, so take a bit longer to strap and try and get the heart rate as low as possible.

The Day Before or morning of ride

• Set out strapping equipment
• fill water buckets, lay out halter, sponges,stethoscope or HR Monitor, towels and rugs
  

On return to base

• Ask your strapper if it is warm, cool or cold? Do not rely on how you feel - you will normally feel hot! The ambient temperature / wind chill can have a major effect on how you strap.
  

1. If really Cool/Cold

• Unsaddle, halter on, weigh-in (if required)
• take heart rate
• wash down using as little water as possible:
• neck
• big vein areas
  

Then:

• saddle area (not too much water here)
• between hind legs
• under tail and belly
• areas where tack is in contact
• legs
• around head (salt build up can be itchy)
• avoid water over rump and loins, some horses may stiffen up in this area
  

Scrape:

• wash and then scrape– do not let water sit as it quickly heats up and insulates the horse without cooling it down
• allow to drink, but not too much or too cold
• Do not allow horse to get cold enough to start shivering as this will put the heart rate up
• Cold horses can also start to cramp
• rug horse depending on conditions
  • light rug/towel if cool
  • heavy rug if cold/windy
  • waterproof if raining and cold
• walk around gently allowing horse to pick at grass (a couple of mouthfuls, no more)
  

2. If hot

• Unsaddle, halter on, weigh-in (if required)
• take heart rate
• sponge or hose freely with water:
• neck
• big vein areas
  

Then:

• saddle area (not too much water here)
• between hind legs
• under tail and belly
• areas where tack is in contact
• legs
• around head (salt build up can be itchy)
• avoid excessive water over rump and loins, some horses may stiffen up in this area – however, if horse is very hot and or has large rump muscles, some water here will assist to bring HR down – don’t overdo it!
  

Scrape:

• wash and then scrape– do not let water sit as it quickly heats up and insulates the horse without cooling it down
• keep applying water until it comes off cool
• allow to drink water
• light rug/towel over hindquarters if horse feels cool to touch
• walk around gently allowing horse to pick at grass (a couple of mouthfuls, no more)
  

Wash and Walk Technique

• Horses ridden hard i.e. an aerobically, produce lactic acid as a waste product in muscles
• this process continues after a horse stops exercising
• if the horse is standing still the lactic acid builds up in the muscles
• when the horse moves again the muscles push lactic acid into the blood which causes the heart rate to increase
• as a result the heart rate may have dropped in camp but while walking to vetting the circulating lactic acid causes the heart rate to increase
• important to wash and scrape then walk slowly for several minutes then repeat
• riders can assist here by coming back to base at a walk – the slower you come in, the less lactic acid build up when strapping
  

Urinating (horse)

• Drops heart rate through heat loss and reducing anxiety
• to encourage urinating walk in long grass
• check colour as it indicates hydration status
• clear is ideal
• yellow indicates slight dehydration
• dark yellow indicates severe dehydration
• red/brown (coffee colour) indicates muscle damage (get advice or see vet)
  

Eating

• Will put heart rate up a few beats
• better to allow them to pick at hay/grass than worry about increasing heart rate, especially a novice horse
• if heart rate is at borderline the horse may have been overridden
• eating helps to relax the horse and promote gutsounds
• avoid grain and electrolytes until after vetting
  

Electrolytes

• Only give if the horse is drinking well
• electrolytes when a horse is not drinking will draw fluids into the gut and further dehydrate the horse
• the taste of electrolytes can put horses off eating / drinking – if it does, on a multi-loop ride administer after they have eaten
• build up levels before and after the ride
  

Heart Rate

• The heart rate recovery is more important than the arrival heart rate e.g. 100 on arrival recovering to 64 in 15 minutes is better than 64 on arrival and still 64 in 15 minutes
• lack of recovery is a sign of stress
• if the heart rate drops well and all other parameters are good you can leave the horse alone to relax and walk him slowly to vet ring
  

Vetting

• Walk over to vetting area 5 minutes before your time indicates you are due - do not be late as this will result in disqualification!
• if sunny wait in the shade and continue to walk your horse slowly
• leave the horse alone while he is having his heart rate taken, stand quietly with your horse and pay attention to your horse
• if there is a delay from the heart rate to the vet, walk your horse slowly to keep his muscles warm and prevent stiffening up
  

After Vetting – hold time

• Feed, water and rug as necessary
• electrolytes if drinking well
• leave horse to rest and recover
• if your horse doesn’t mind, some massage between loops will not go astray
• if a multi-loop ride, saddle up in time to give yourself a few minutes to warm the horse up
  

Rider

• Replace your own fluids and electrolytes
• make sure you eat (you will need your energy)
• looking after your horse includes looking after yourself
• a tired, dehydrated rider is a burden for your horse