Helping Your Horse Recover

Whether you're competing every weekend, heading out on long trail rides or simply keeping your horse fit and healthy, recovery is just as important as the work itself.

Just like human athletes, horses lose fluids, electrolytes and energy when they sweat. If they don't recover properly, they can take longer to bounce back, feel stiff, tire more quickly and be less willing to perform the next day.

Two long-standing favourites from Virbac can help support your horse's recovery after exercise: NEUTRADEX® and RECHARGE®. While they work beautifully together, they each have a different job to do.

Think of RECHARGE® as a sports drink designed specifically for horses.

After a hard workout, competition, cross-country round or even a long trip in hot weather, horses lose important electrolytes through sweat. These electrolytes play a vital role in hydration, muscle function and temperature regulation.

RECHARGE® helps by:

It's also handy for horses that arrive at competitions or events looking a little "tucked up" after travelling or those recovering from diarrhoea or dehydration.

With its apple flavour, many horses readily accept it either diluted in water or given directly over the tongue with a syringe.

While RECHARGE® focuses on replacing what is lost through sweat, NEUTRADEX® is all about helping muscles recover after hard work.

During intense exercise, muscles naturally produce acids as they work. If these build up, horses may become stiff, sore or fatigued. Horses prone to "tying up" can be particularly affected.

NEUTRADEX® contains sodium acid citrate, which helps the body manage this acid build-up while also encouraging horses to drink after exercise.

It may help:

It is particularly popular with owners of performance horses and young, nervous or heavily muscled horses in training.

Although each product can be used on its own, they complement each other well after strenuous exercise.

A simple way to think about it is:

- RECHARGE® replaces fluids, electrolytes and energy.

- NEUTRADEX® helps muscles recover while encouraging your horse to continue drinking.

Together they can help your horse recover more comfortably and be better prepared for the next training session or competition.

You don't need to be competing at elite level to benefit from good recovery management.

Many everyday horses can become dehydrated or fatigued after:

• Long trail rides.
• Pony Club/ Adult Rider rallies.
• Clinics.
• Hot summer days.
• Extended travel.
• Heavy schooling sessions.

Supporting recovery means your horse is often brighter, more comfortable and ready to work again sooner.

Both products work best when your horse always has access to plenty of clean, fresh water.

RECHARGE® is ideal immediately after sweating, travelling or any situation where rapid rehydration is needed.

NEUTRADEX® is generally used after hard exercise or as part of an ongoing management program for horses prone to muscle soreness or tying up. As always, follow the label directions and remember that NEUTRADEX® should not be used within 24–36 hours before competition.

Training builds fitness—but recovery is where the body repairs, adapts and gets stronger.

Whether your horse is chasing ribbons, kilometres or simply enjoying life under saddle, giving them the support they need after exercise can make a real difference.

With RECHARGE® helping restore hydration and NEUTRADEX® supporting muscle recovery, you can help your horse recover well, feel better and be ready for whatever adventure comes next.