Load-Bearing Exhaustion in Horses: Signs & Treatment
- accelerates muscle recovery
- in preparation for athletic performance
- supports natural muscle function
What is carrying exhaustion in horses really?
Carrying exhaustion is a complex disorder of the musculoskeletal system, in which the
trunk-carrying muscles can no longer fulfil their function. The horse's anatomical
peculiarity – the absence of a collarbone – makes it particularly susceptible to this problem. The
trunk is suspended and stabilised exclusively by muscles and connective tissue between the shoulder
blades.
In carrying exhaustion, this muscular carrying system fails.
The result: The rib cage sinks
down between the shoulder blades, the spine loses its physiological shape and the
characteristic roach back develops. Unlike isolated back pain, carrying
exhaustion affects the entire system of abdominal muscles, the long back muscle and the
stabilising muscles. The abdominal muscles lose their tone, while the
long back muscle becomes compensatorily tense.
These signs reveal carrying exhaustion
The physical symptoms of carrying exhaustion usually develop gradually. An early sign is often the changed saddle position: a previously well-fitting saddle increasingly slips forward, as the rib cage has sunk and the withers become more prominent. Viewed from the side, the horse shows a sunken topline – the physiological curve of the spine is lost.
The muscles show clear changes: the abdominal muscles appear slack and sagging, while the topline – the area along the spine – appears sunken. Noticeable muscle wastage can be seen at the withers and in the lumbar region. The normally round, muscular croup appears angular and the hip bones protrude clearly. The lateral trunk muscles also recede, making the horse appear narrower overall.
Even without a rider's weight, horses with carrying exhaustion show typical movement patterns. When grazing, it can be observed that the horse has difficulty lowering its head to the ground. It spreads its front legs wide apart or buckles at the carpal joints in order to reach the feed. The posture when standing appears tense and stiff, and the physiological relaxed stance is lost.
Behaviour on downhill stretches is particularly noticeable: the horse avoids going downhill, seeking alternative routes or turning around. This avoidance behaviour results from the lack of spinal stability and the associated insecurity.
Affected horses show characteristic changes in their behaviour. When being saddled, they evade or push the back away – a sign of discomfort or pain in the back area. Mounting becomes problematic, the horse steps away to the side or tries to avoid the rider's weight.
Further symptoms appear under saddle: movements become stiff and inelastic, and every step uphill in particular becomes laborious. Transitions between gaits are no longer fluid, the horse shows resistance. Collection becomes impossible, as the necessary rounding of the back can no longer take place. Lateral movements become difficult, bend is lost. Many horses begin to stumble or show gait irregularities. The canter becomes hurried and flat, frequent lead changes or cross-cantering may occur.
Why does a horse develop carrying exhaustion?
The development of carrying exhaustion is usually multifactorial. One of the main causes is
overloading due to too high a rider weight. The scientifically founded recommendation is that
the total weight of rider and equipment should not exceed 15-20% of the horse's body
weight. For a horse with a body weight of 500 kg, this corresponds to a maximum
load weight of 75-100 kg.
Ill-fitting or faulty equipment, in particular incorrectly fitted saddles, represent
another significant risk factor. A saddle that pinches or slips prevents the
physiological function of the back muscles and leads to tension and
compensation mechanisms.
Backing young horses too early – before bone growth is complete at around 5-7 years –
predisposes them to later back problems. The not yet fully developed muscles and the
immature bone structures cannot withstand the rider's weight.
The most common causes at a glance
The hyperflexed head-neck position practised in some riding styles (also known as "rollkur") has
been shown to have negative effects on the biomechanics of the horse's back. Studies by
Prof. Dr. Karsten Feige (University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation) demonstrate that just 10 minutes
in extreme rollkur lead to measurable changes in the back muscles. The
physiological rounding of the back is prevented, the abdominal muscles cannot be activated.
Other problematic factors in modern equestrian sport are insufficient warm-up phases
(less than 15 minutes of walk work), monotonous training without variety, and lack of
recovery phases. Neglecting the warm-up phase leads to overexertion of muscles
that are not yet optimally supplied with blood.
Kissing spines (touching or overlapping spinous processes) can be both a cause and a
consequence of carrying exhaustion. The pain-related protective posture leads to further muscular
imbalances and worsens the problem. The same applies to lameness of various origins –
the compensatory movement patterns overload the healthy structures.
Metabolic disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or equine Cushing's
disease (PPID) impair muscle metabolism and the ability to recover. Obesity
represents an additional risk factor: the increased body weight combined with reduced
muscular efficiency leads to faster fatigue and increases the risk of developing
carrying exhaustion.
A possible systematic rehabilitation plan
🌿 Phase 1 - Relief and diagnosis
The initial phase of rehabilitation requires consistently relieving the horse of rider weight. A comprehensive veterinary examination with imaging procedures (X-ray, ultrasound) should be carried out to document the extent of the changes and rule out concomitant conditions . Involving a qualified physiotherapist and checking the saddle fit by a saddler are essential components of the diagnostic phase.
Therapeutic measures in Phase 1:
- Controlled movement at the walk (20-30 minutes daily)
- Passive mobilisation through stretching exercises (carrot stretches)
- Activating the abdominal muscles through backing up (5-10 steps, 3x daily)
- Proprioceptive training over poles (4-6 poles, 80-90cm spacing)
The study by Marshall-Gibson et al. (2023) documents that 82% of the veterinarians surveyed observe positive effects from systematic groundwork in horses with back problems.
🌿 Phase 2 - Beginning muscle building
In the second phase, targeted muscle building begins. Lunging work should be carried out exclusively with a cavesson, to allow a physiological head-neck position. The circle diameter should be at least 18 metres, and the working time should not exceed 20 minutes.
Structured training programme:
- Lunging work with cavaletti (3x weekly, height 10-15cm)
- Hill training at the walk (2x weekly, 10-15% incline, 15 minutes)
- Pole work to activate the abdominal muscles (daily)
- Lateral movements in-hand for mobilisation (shoulder-in, travers)
Research by Dr. Hilary Clayton (Michigan State University) shows that eight weeks of hill training can improve the carrying capacity of the back muscles by up to 35%.
🌿 Phase 3 - Increasing strength and stamina
The third phase allows for initial careful loading attempts under saddle. The riding sessions should initially be limited to 10 minutes of walk, ideally with a lightweight rider or using weight-relieving aids.
Intensified conditioning programme:
- Free jumping over low obstacles (2x weekly, 50-70cm)
- Transitions for strengthening (walk-halt-rein back, 10 repetitions)
- Tempo changes within the gaits
- Extended pole work (8-10 poles, variable spacing)
By the end of this rehabilitation phase, the first positive changes should be visible: the topline begins to normalise, the saddle area fills out again, and the quality of movement improves noticeably.
This should absolutely be avoided
Certain mistakes must absolutely be avoided when rehabilitating a horse with carrying
exhaustion. Premature return to training under saddle is the most common mistake.
The question "Can a horse with carrying exhaustion be ridden?" must be answered in a
nuanced way: gradual loading is only possible after systematic muscle building and
veterinary clearance. Starting training too early can extend the rehabilitation period to over 18
months.
The use of painkillers as a long-term solution is contraindicated. Studies by the
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation show that horses under analgesia develop compensatory
movement patterns that can lead to further structural damage. Training without
professional supervision is equally problematic – regular physiotherapeutic
checks every 2-3 weeks are essential for therapeutic success.
The use of auxiliary reins during the first eight weeks of rehabilitation should be
avoided. They force the horse into a position that cannot yet be muscularly stabilised, which
leads to additional tension and setbacks in therapy.
Conclusion
Carrying exhaustion is not an isolated back problem, but an overload of the entire carrying muscle system, which develops gradually and affects both body and behavior. With a clear diagnosis, consistent relief, and a structured rehabilitation plan over several months, sustainable recovery is possible. Patience, professional guidance, and a training build-up that develops stability rather than forcing it are essential.
Preventing carrying exhaustion: 8 preventive measures
The prevention of carrying exhaustion is based on a holistic training and management concept:
At least 15 minutes of walk work before every training session ensures optimal blood circulation in the muscles.
Alternating between different disciplines (dressage, show jumping, cross-country, groundwork) for even muscle development.
After a 20-minute work phase, 5 minutes of recovery phase at a walk should follow.
Hill training: One to two weekly training sessions on inclines for targeted strengthening.
Regular exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles and the core support system.
Monitoring rider and horse weight to prevent overloading.
Young horses should only be trained regularly from age 4 and fully worked from age 5.
Twice-yearly checks by qualified saddlers for early detection of fitting problems.
The Society for Equine Medicine recommends prophylactic physiotherapeutic examinations on a quarterly basis, which can reduce the risk of back problems by up to 60%.
❓Frequently asked questions about carrying exhaustion 💡
Realistically, rehabilitation takes 6-12 months. Kotschwar et al. (2024) document in their study that 75% of treated horses show significant improvement after 6 months, and after 12 months 90% are fully rideable again. The individual recovery time depends on various factors: severity of the condition, age of the horse, adherence to therapy, and elimination of the triggering factors.
Horses over 15 years of age require adapted rehabilitation protocols. Muscle building progresses 30-50% more slowly than in younger animals. The focus is on maintaining function rather than improving performance. Concomitant conditions such as arthritis must be integrated into the therapy concept. Regular veterinary check-ups are especially important for senior horses.
An adequate supply of protein (1.5-2g/kg body weight), essential amino acids (especially lysine and methionine), and vitamin E (1-2 IU/kg body weight) supports muscle building. Supplementary feed containing omega-3 fatty acids can have an anti-inflammatory effect. Excess energy intake should be avoided to prevent obesity.
The prognosis for full rehabilitation is good with consistent therapy. A study by the Freie Universität Berlin shows that 87% of systematically treated horses regain their previous performance level. This requires eliminating the causes (saddle fitting, weight reduction, training optimization) and consistently carrying out the rehabilitation program.
Conclusion
Carrying exhaustion in horses is a serious but treatable condition. With systematic rehabilitation, professional guidance, and the necessary patience, the majority of affected horses can be successfully treated. The plan presented offers a structured foundation for rebuilding the carrying muscles. Consistent implementation over a period of at least 6 months is decisive for treatment success – an investment in the long-term health and performance of the horse.
Frequently Asked Questions💡
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We recommend feeding the increased amount (3 times the daily dose) at the start. Stay on the higher dosage until an improvement occurs, plus 2 more days. After that, feed twice the normal amount. If the improvement continues, feed the remaining bottles at the normal dosage. How much needs to be fed always depends on the individual issue – i.e., whether improvement occurs quickly or not.
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To prevent problems and support general well-being: preventively, meaning no increased amount, just the normal amount for at least three weeks.
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