19/10/2025
DOMS in Horses: Understanding Muscle Soreness & Recovery
After hard or unusual work—like hill work, collection, jumping or competition—horses may experience muscle soreness that develops hours later and lasts for a few days. This is known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
🔬 What happens in the muscles:
• Intense or eccentric work creates tiny micro-tears in muscle fibers.
• The repair process triggers inflammation, swelling, and stiffness.
• Glycogen (the muscle’s energy store) is depleted and refills more slowly after this type of work, delaying full recovery.
• This can leave horses with reduced power, stiffness, or altered movement for 24–72 hours post-exercise.
🐴 How we can support recovery:
• Ensure good nutrition: adequate forage, plus carbohydrates and protein to replenish muscle fuel and aid repair.
• Massage therapy helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, ease stiffness, and support muscle recovery.
• Provide active recovery: light movement, turnout, and gentle exercise encourage circulation and reduce stiffness.
• Adequate hydration and rest are essential for tissue repair.
👉 Takeaway: DOMS isn’t just about sore muscles—it’s about energy (to perform, to heal, etc), inflammation, and tissue healing.
Incorporating massage and smart recovery practices helps horses be more comfortable, balanced, and ready to perform at their best.
Pm if your horse needs some support.
Happy Horse
Better Team
