3 Ways Overtraining Affects the Equestrian Body

Equestrians are Already Expending A Lot of Energy

As riders, trainers, and stable managers, we are very active people. Whether riding a dozen horses each day, running from ring to ring coaching customers, mucking stalls or feeding, and turning out horses, equestrians are getting in a lot of exercise without the dreaded treadmill or weight machines.

When Pushing Harder Hurts Performance

Many of us feel exhausted at the end of the day, yet our competitive drive to succeed in the sport urges us to keep pushing. However, more exercise isn't always better when it comes to improving our health and reaching our riding goals. In reality, pushing ourselves this hard might actually be detrimental and can even cause the loss of muscle mass and weight gain.

Biochemical Individuality in Equestrian Fitness

Of course there is no one-size-fits-all exercise program that will work perfectly for every rider. We all have our own biochemically individual needs when it comes to food and movement, and what works for one rider might not help another improve. Yet being aware of the signs and consequences of overexercising can steer you away from making costly health mistakes.

Warning Signs of Overexercising for Equestrians

1. Disrupted Neurotransmitters and Nervous System Stress
   Overexercising can lead to a cascade of biochemical responses including the change in your neurotransmitters that can cause feelings of depression and chronic fatigue. It can also have an effect on your sympathetic nervous system (your fight or flight response), which keeps your body in a tense, reactive state. You may feel restless, unable to focus, or can't sleep or rest (even on your Monday off). You can feel run down, sore, and unable to regain the energy you need to ride your best.

2. Hormonal Imbalances and Thyroid Dysfunction
   The added stress on your body from working out too much also has the ability to impact the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which has the potential to cause conditions such as hypothyroidism (the under activity of your thyroid gland, which is the engine behind your metabolism). This can lead to digestive dysfunction, weight gain, and a handful of other negative symptoms. Along these same lines, the increase in cortisol (your stress hormone) from the additional demands on your body, can lead to adrenal dysfunction, weight gain around the abdomen, memory problems and numerous other health conditions that are often just chalked up to aging.

3. Immune System Overload and Autoimmune Risk
   Research has shown that the cellular damage that occurs during overexercise can lead to activation of the immune system. Therefore, intense overexercising can possibly even trigger the development of autoimmune conditions and symptoms such as chronic fatigue, weight loss, decreased appetite, and sleep changes may arise.

How to Recover and Ride Stronger

If you suspect that you are suffering from symptoms of overexercise, there are a few strategies you can implement to help you feel better and still work toward your riding goals.