Routine vaccinations, dental and saddlery checks should be in order well before the season starts. It is wise to have your dental check at least annually, occasionally much more frequently.   Vaccinations can be brought forward to fit in with your programme so that there is no enforced break during the season. 

Don’t neglect your saddles. They should be routinely re-stuffed annually, at least. I have seen many cases of injury from a badly fitting saddle, which can be frustrating if it leads to a six week break in the middle of the season.

 

The FEI have altered their regulations, from January 2005, and now insist on boosters for influenza every six months, after the initial course    The written instructions from the BEF imply that horses which have been on yearly boosters will need to start from scratch. This is not the case and horses whose vaccinations were within the previous guidelines up to January 2005 will comply with the new Regulations by receiving six monthly boosters from their last vaccination in 2004.

 

Ask your vet about their recommendations for vaccination against equine herpes, or rhinopneumonitis, virus.   EHV is far more common than flue and can cause cause much more long-lasting debilitation for competition horses which are likely to be in contact with a large number of strange horses.   EHV causes only mild respiratory symptoms but can lead to months of low stamina and poor performance and responds very disappointingly to any treatment.

 

Make sure that your horse’s feet are in the best possible condition.   When I was eventing I always had a spare set of shoes in the lorry so that if one was lost at a competition there was a ready made replacement.  

I believe that the fashion for two studs in each shoe may contribute to lower leg injuries in some conditions. A horse’s foot is designed to slip slightly as it hits the ground, especially when jumping and turning. Fixing the hoof more firmly may lead to pastern or fetlock ligament and tendon injuries.  

Make sure your horse’s shoes are long enough to support the heels which must not be over-trimmed. Flexor tendon strains are much more common in horses with low heels, long toes and over-sloping pasterns.

 

Build up the work training and fitness level and feed accordingly. There are a large number of specialist feeds available but don’t be tempted to add the latest fashionable supplements. The feed companies have done vast research into nutrition and compounded food has all that your horse requires in the vast majority of cases.  

 

Remember that horses cannot store electrolytes and only need them to replace those lost in sweat.   I believe that it is unfair to ask an equine athlete to perform with a winter coat, with which they are bound to sweat more.