Pre-Competition Horse Health Checks for Australian Eventers

Going through a structured health assessment the day before an event can be the difference between a smooth start and a frustrating morning in the warm-up arena. For riders based across the country, from the rolling hills of the Adelaide Hills to the sandstone country around Scone, the lead-up routine looks a little different depending on climate, travel distance, and the type of ground you are heading to. A consistent pre-event check helps you catch minor niggles before they become bigger problems on cross-country day.

Australian eventing has its own rhythm. The calendar swings from autumn events in Victoria, where Boneo Park hosts one of the southern hemisphere's biggest international fixtures, through spring outings in New South Wales and on to the classic Adelaide Three-Day Event. Heat, dust, long floats, and the chance of rain the night before a dressage test all shape what a thorough check should look like. Riders who factor these realities into their routine tend to arrive at the venue with horses that look fresh and willing, rather than tired and tucked-up.

A reliable checklist is not just for the anxious amateur. It is a tool used by professional riders across every level of the sport, and it pairs well with regular veterinary care throughout the year. If you are unsure where to start or want a second opinion before a major run, getting in contact with the team at Schramm Equestrian can put you in front of riders who handle these checks week in, week out.

Hydration and feed timing in the final 24 hours

Water intake is the quiet hero of any pre-event plan. Horses travelling across the hay belt to a three-day event can lose significant fluid through sweat, particularly when crossing the dry country between centres or working through a warm arvo in the box. Offer water at every stop, and if your horse is a fussy drinker, consider flavouring the water at home so it tastes familiar when you arrive at an unfamiliar venue.

Feed should be scaled back slightly rather than removed entirely. A large grain meal the night before cross-country is asking for trouble, especially if your horse already tends to tie up after a rest day. Roughage should stay constant, as the gut needs the bulk to stay comfortable during the long hours on the float. Soaked hay, chaff, and a small hard feed two to three hours before loading are usually a fair compromise for most competitors.

Watch the weather forecast closely. A sudden change in conditions around places like Camden or Mudgee can flip a routine inside out. If a cool change is rolling in overnight, the horse will drink less in the float than usual, so offering a sloppy feed the next morning can top up fluids before dressage. Keeping a written log of what your horse ate and drank the day before helps you spot patterns over a busy season.

Vital signs worth knowing cold

Temperature, pulse, and respiration are the three numbers every rider should be able to pull quickly without hunting for a thermometer. A resting temperature between 37.2 and 38.3 degrees Celsius is normal for most horses, though it can drift a touch higher during the height of an Australian summer. The pulse usually settles between 28 and 44 beats per minute at rest, while respiration runs around 8 to 16 breaths a minute.

Knowing your horse's baseline is more useful than memorising textbook ranges. Spend a few quiet minutes each evening recording the numbers, and you will quickly notice when something feels off. A temperature creeping above 38.6, a pulse that will not settle under 50 after a walk, or gums that look tacky instead of slick and pink all deserve a closer look. Sometimes the issue is as basic as a missed drink, but it can also be the early sign of a virus doing the rounds in the stable.

A capillary refill time of under two seconds and a gut that rumbles comfortably on both sides round out the picture. If you are heading to an event after a long stretch on the road, give the horse fifteen to twenty minutes to settle before pulling these numbers, otherwise you will record stress rather than a true resting reading. Keep the stethoscope, thermometer, and a notebook together in your grooming kit so nothing gets left behind in the tack room at home.

Hooves, legs, and the tell-tale leg

The lower limb is where most eventing stories end badly, so it earns the most attention the day before competition. Pick out each foot, check the frog for thrush or a sour smell, and run your hand down each leg feeling for heat or filling. A horse that trots out stiff from the box but warms up soundly within ten minutes is worth noting, while one that stays off behind on the flat is a reason to step back and reassess.

Digital pulses are surprisingly easy to learn and extremely informative. Pressing gently over the artery at the fetlock joint, you should feel a soft, slow thump rather than a bounding pulse. A stronger-than-usual digital pulse in one foot often flags an abscess brewing, a bruise under the sole, or the start of laminitis in a horse that has been eating rich spring grass on a property where the pasture has had a flush of rain.

Bandage checks, tendon sheaths, and the area behind the knee all deserve a careful look. Any scab, cut, or swelling from the previous week should be clean, dry, and stable. Strapping and studs should be planned with the footing in mind, whether you are heading to the sand-and-grass mix at a Victorian venue or the firmer going out near the coast. Walking the horse on a hard surface in hand and then watching him trot away on soft ground covers both ends of the assessment.

Movement, soundness, and the five-minute listen

Beyond the still checks, the way a horse moves tells the real story. Lungeing on both reins for a few minutes in a quiet area lets you see the horse without a rider's weight influencing the picture. Look for a clean canter transition on each lead, an even trot that does not shorten behind, and a relaxed walk that swings through the whole body. Anything that looks uneven, rushed, or guarded deserves a longer look.

Listen as well as look. Normal gut sounds occur roughly every ten to fifteen seconds, and silence or rapid gas rattles can point to colic risk, especially after a long trip or a feed change. The lungs should be clear both before and after a brief trot, with no wet rattle at the end of an exhale. Holding a hand near the nostril for a minute gives you a feel for air flow and the absence of any unusual discharge.

If anything sits in the back of your mind, a quick phone call to your vet before loading the float is worth the call-out fee. Australian eventers are generally a practical bunch, and most will not load a horse that does not feel right, even if it means scratching at the gate. Trusting your own eye and ear keeps small issues from becoming season-ending ones, and it protects the rest of the field as well.

Travel kit, paperwork, and final checks before loading

A tidy float and a tidy truck make the morning calmer. Spare bandages, a first-aid kit, water buckets from home, and a copy of the horse's vaccination record should all be packed the night before. A working torch, a clean towel, and a small set of clippers for quick touch-ups save time when the alarm goes off at sparrow's early.

Riders heading to a major fixture should check the event bio-security requirements in advance, since some venues in Australia now ask for a health declaration or proof of recent vaccination before the horse can unload. A clean float, freshly disinfected partitions, and a small bale of hay from home all reduce the chance of picking up something nasty at the venue. Number bibs, bridle numbers, and gear tags should already be sewn on, so the only job left is to load and go.

A final walk-around of the horse, the float, and the gear is a ritual worth keeping. If anything feels rushed, slow down and start again, because a calm arrival sets the tone for the rest of the weekend. The riders at Schramm Equestrian share their own version of this checklist, refined across seasons of travel and competition across the country.

A reliable pre-event checklist worth keeping

• Pull temperature, pulse, and respiration at rest and compare with your recorded baseline.
• Check digital pulses in all four feet and feel each leg for heat, swelling, or tenderness.
• Pick out hooves and inspect the frog, sole, and shoe fit on both fronts and hinds.
• Lunge briefly on both reins to assess movement, transitions, and breathing.
• Confirm hydration, gut sounds, and feed timing before loading the float.

For anyone wanting to refine their own routine or run through a checklist with experienced riders, reach out to the Schramm Equestrian team before your next run. Healthy horses, calm minds, and a tidy float are the unglamorous foundation of every clear round.