Over the past few years of shoeing rodeo horses with heavy competition and training schedules, I have noticed patterns emerge. Commonly, roping and barrel horses spend a decent amount of time barefoot during the off-season, and are put back to work for several weeks before being shod. These generally small and flat-footed horses can end up lame.

Immobilization or stall rest is sometimes necessary for a horse's injury to heal, especially in cases of severe tissue damage (such as tendon or ligament damage and fractures), but other times keeping horses moving is actually a better approach. The key is choosing the right exercise for the type and location of the injury. We cannot just tell horses, for example, to engage their core. We have to design exercises that achieve the desired result.

Electrotherapy, directing small currents of electricity through the skin for medical treatment, has been widely used in human sports medicine and rehabilitation to treat injuries and optimize performance. Various modalities have made their way into sport horse medicine and rehabilitation. Electrotherapies are built around energy sources that range from acoustics to vibrations.

When a horse suffers an injury, it’s essential to allow for a brief time of rest to aid in recovery. However, in many cases, movement itself can be a form of therapy. Not all exercise negatively impacts a horse's health—on the contrary, it can often enhance overall well-being. Therefore, restricting movement should only be considered in extreme situations.