Spending time around horses, you realize that injuries and illness are a major part of the game. The risks only increase the more you ask of your partner—whether it's travel, progressing through levels, or pushing both yourself and your horse further. While this article focuses on equine injuries, human injuries and rider time off are just as much part of the conversation.

As an upper-level eventer who has been competing for decades, I’ve experienced my fair share of injuries, heartbreak, and triumphs. My current primary partner is an incredible Irish Sport Horse who came into my life as my schoolmaster, guiding me toward my dream levels—namely 2* eventing, gaining miles at the Preliminary level, and possibly beyond.

Without delving into his full medical history, I’ll say he arrived with the typical wear and tear of a seasoned upper-level horse, along with a pneumonia history from when he was imported. Taking on the responsibilities of his maintenance and medical needs far outweighed the many benefits of his experience for my goals. After three intense seasons of serious competition, I’ve grown not only as a rider but also as a better horse person because of how I’ve cared for his issues.

The Journey Through Illness: Lessons in Gratitude and Bonding

In 2023, during a 22-hour journey to Florida in the middle of winter, he contracted shipping pneumonia again, which quickly developed into pleural pneumonia. Our six weeks in sunny Florida saw him spend three of those in the hospital fighting a serious infection, with the rest spent convalescing across various southern destinations.

Looking back, I realize that those long hours grazing him at the hospital, driving 45 minutes across Ocala, and diligently administering medications every six hours built a profound bond. He even spat his nasty antibiotics back into my mouth on more than one occasion, which exponentially increased my empathy—experiencing firsthand what those meds tasted like.

During this stressful time, I never even thought about what we might be missing: shows, training, cross-country adventures, lessons, and more. My priority was simply saving his life. Being alone in a distant place, far from my support system, he became my sole solace during that dark time. We shifted our spring goals from “qualify for prelim” to “save his life.” That was a profound perspective shift, and it still shapes me today.

Fast forward five months, and my miracle horse fought through it. We completed our first preliminary together, and not only did my outlook on gratitude deepen, but those long hours spent caring for him solidified our bond. I now know every breath, cough, temperature, and ailment so thoroughly—I feel more connected and informed about his body than any horse I’ve worked with before. It’s empowering to truly understand him.

Shifting Focus: Listening Over Pushing

The past 18 months have been filled with success at Preliminary and most recently at Rebecca Farm’s 2*. However, this summer brought new challenges: some soundness issues. Once again, I had to shift from “push push push” to “listen to what he’s telling me.” Trotting him up for an FEI jog was nerve-racking, but I’m proud to say he passed with flying colors.

It involved sleepless nights, X-rays, ultrasounds, wrapping, cold hosing, icing, and researching anatomy more than I ever thought I would. From winning our dream event and the Area IX Preliminary championships to withdrawing moments before cross country at the American Eventing Championships in Galway, those long hours of care deepened our relationship. I’ve learned more about anatomy, aftercare, alternative treatments, his grazing preferences, and gait than I ever imagined was possible. What a gift to know my partner this well.

Another Journey: Building Trust

Another example of how rehab builds my education and relationship is my partner Eros. I bought him this year to continue gaining experience on an established horse. But just 2.5 months in, he tore his manica flexora—the band of tissue outside the deep digital flexor tendon that helps keep things aligned in the fetlock.

Looking back, Eros has become “my horse” in a real way. I spent countless hours icing, wrapping, walking, grazing, and treating him. He’s not an easy patient—working out turnout solutions, managing his tendency to pace, his nutrition as he lost muscle mass—all of this helped me understand his body and earn his trust. Before his injury, he was spooky and continuously testing me under saddle; now, he leans into me as a trusted partner. Despite setbacks of surgery and rehab, I feel grateful for the trust we’ve built outside the saddle. Now, setting show goals feels exciting and within reach.

Patience and Hard Work Pays off. Eros Sept 2025

Finding the Silver Lining in Setbacks

Of course, I’m not saying that rehab or injuries are positive—they’re tough, and they come with real setbacks. But what I am saying is that the growth we experience during recovery can be far beyond simply getting your horse sound again. It’s a transformational process that can strengthen your partnership and deepen your understanding of your horse’s body and mind. It has been a magical shift in my horsemanship to focus on my horses’ health and comfort outside of just chasing goals. As difficult as it is, I encourage everyone to see rehabilitation as an opportunity—an unexpected gift of time and trust.

Instead of Longing for What’s Lost, Embrace These Moments During Recovery:

Grazing your horse and bringing their favorite treats while they’re on stall rest
Learning more about your horse’s anatomy and behavior
Adjusting their nutrition to support healing and their new activity level
Collaborating with your facility or management to support safe turnout
Facilitating their safe return to work and celebrating milestones—first trot, first canter, first trail ride
Cherishing the quiet moments that true bonding provides
Engaging in the educational journey that rehab offers
Taking pride in your horse’s care—maybe grooming better than ever, addressing other issues, growing out a mane, or simply enjoying more quality time with your partner

These times of pause and healing are not just setbacks but opportunities for growth—both for your horse and for you as a rider and horse person. They foster patience, empathy, and a deeper connection you might never have cultivated otherwise.

Rehab isn’t easy, but it’s undeniably rewarding. When we invest that extra time in our horses’ recovery, we’re building something much stronger: a partnership founded on trust, understanding, and mutual care that lasts long beyond the injury.

Cherish the quiet moments, celebrate small victories, and remember—sometimes, the most meaningful growth happens during the recovery.

Written by Rebecca Caulfield

Head Trainer at Triple Creek Ranch
Rebecca Caulfield is an FEI-level event rider and coach dedicated to developing horse-and-rider partnerships built on trust, horsemanship, and education. Learn more at www.RebeccaCaulfieldEventing.com or visit www.TripleCreek-Ranch.com.

Why Rehabbing Makes you a Better Horseman and Builds your Partnership with your Horse