Do horses get sore after riding? Why do we brush them down afterwards? I do it pre to get them clean for the saddle. but I was just wondering because sometimes you hit spots they really like. I use a stiff brush on SL's mane after I ride her and she will almost brush herself.
Mostly because it feels good. Good to rub and get the circulation going again under where the saddle was. If it's warm out, rinse the sweat off, because the salts will make them dry and itchy.
And sure they'll get sore after riding, moreso if they aren't in shape. They are mammals with muscles and joints, after all. Fatigue is fatigue. Also good to press and look for aches you should avoid and fix, like saddle soreness, places under the saddle that they particularly wince away from pressure.