Pre & Post Barrel Race Horse Care

It takes a lot of time and effort to care for our equine athletes, but it's the most important thing we can do for them. WPRA Champion barrel racer and RW-sponsored rider Krista Williams puts in a fair share of time making sure her horses are in top condition when it comes time to race. From everyday maintenance to post-workout recovery and even care while trailering, Krista uses a plethora of therapy products from Riding Warehouse for her four-legged partners. These therapy products and care methods are not specific to barrel racing and can be used on any horse in any discipline. Sport horses work hard and deserve proper care no matter what they are competing in, and gives them the opportunity to feel and perform their best!

Read on to get her advice on keeping your horse in tip-top shape while training, competing, and traveling!

Krista Williams, a professional barrel racer, comes from a small town in San Miguel, CA. Alongside her husband, they have created a successful program of raising, training, and competing He Is Greater performance horses. Winning her first major accomplishment in the CA WPRA in 2018, Krista has continued to set the bar high and accomplish her goals through hard work and horsemanship.

Krista's Barrel Horse Care Routine

While on the road, I spend more time caring for my horses than I do actually competing. I average two hours in prep time and about two hours after a run to make sure my horses feel their absolute best. My goal is to give each of my barrel horses the best shot at their best performance, as well as prevent possible injuries. I trust the following products to help me achieve this.

Ceramic Therapy:

About two hours before my run, I pull off my Lettia CoolMax No Bow Leg Wraps Bandages and replace them with wraps that have ceramic technology. This technology is designed to increase circulation, which helps warm up the leg before I run. During the summer, I'm careful to only use these for short durations (and never in the trailer) because of the heat they produce. In the winter, I replace my standing wraps with ceramic therapy wraps for hauling and use them at night to help speed up our recovery process. The same goes for blanketing! In the summer, I use a magnetic blanket two hours prior to my run, but in the winter, I switch to my Back On Track Deluxe Therapeutic Royal Mesh Sheet.

Standing Wraps:

If I could only pack one thing for my horse, it would be standing wraps. Standing wraps use compression therapy which keeps legs tight and free of excess inflammation and swelling. When using standing wraps, specific materials are important because some, like ceramic infused, can create too much heat and damage soft tissue.

In the warmer months, I use 14-inch Lettia CoolMax No Bow Standing Wraps for the padding portion. They have a material on the inside designed to pull the moisture away from the horse's leg, and I've never had these get hot or cause my horse to sweat. I use a mild liniment from Finish Line under my wraps which helps to open pores and release tension. Finally, I finish with a 12-foot-long standing bandage.

While on the road, my horses always have wraps on in the trailer for comfort and at night to keep their legs nice and tight. This is because horses who live in a large paddock or pasture are used to having space to move around at night, and when confined to a stall or small area, their legs are more likely to stock up and become inflamed and stiff.

Watch the video below or visit the How to Wrap & Poultice a Horse Leg guide for more information!

Hoof Packing:

After every run, I pack my horse's feet for the night using hoof packing. This helps pull out heat, swelling, or soreness caused by bad ground or long trailer riders. EquiFit makes a stick pad called the Pack-N-Stick Packing Tape that slaps on right over the packing and is easy to apply and take off.

Watch the video below or read the How to Soak, Wrap, and Bandage a Hoof Guide for more information!

Ice Boots:

I've always been a firm believer in icing after a workout or run. Icing helps to reduce inflammation in the horse's leg and cools down tissue, similar to humans. At home, I have a freezer in my tack room and use frozen ice packs with Saran wrap after a workout. On the road, we use Roma Heavy Duty Zippered Ice Boots or XLR8 Cryotherapy Ice+Compression Boots. I have tried a lot of different brands and found that nothing gets as cold as straight ice.

When using ice boots, I get the leg wet first, pack the boots with ice, then let the horse chill with the boots for no more than 20 minutes after every run. If you ice for longer than 20 minutes you risk creating more inflammation and damaging soft tissue.

Liniment Baths:

After hot trailer rides and in super warm weather, I cool the horses down with a liniment bath. The liniment helps open the pores in their skin and relaxes their muscles. Before I ice my horse's legs after a run, I give them a liniment bath to relax their muscles since they will be standing in ice for 20 minutes.

Hoof Boots:

EasyCare Cloud Hoof Boots are a must-have for older horses or long trailer rides! They are designed with a soft foam pad and supportive rubber bottom to create an "air ride" feel for your horse. I love these because they absorb shock from rough highways to keep my horses comfortable. They also come in handy when the horses are tied on pavement or stuck in an indoor facility on concrete.

Unsure about what size to order? Read Riding Warehouse's Horse Hoof Boot Guide!

Our horses work hard for us, so we want to do everything we can to keep them sound, happy, and healthy. With a string of athletes, Krista's recovery regimen ensures everyone stays in their best condition. From everyday training to care on the road, we hope that you've found something you can add to your own routine. Treating your horse for preventative measures rather than as a means of rehabilitation will give you more peace of mind while competing. If you have any questions, please reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com for assistance. Happy riding!