cooling down a hot horse

Question
When you walk a hot horse, what are the physiological reasons for doing it? Does this have anything to do with colic?

Answer
Dear Ann,
All athletes should (and usually do) cool out after extreme physical exertion. It helps to cool the body slowly, to lessen the potential for muscle cramps. In terms of colic- ingestion of water (especially cold water) after raising core temp through exercise can induce colic. Many training barns forgo the walking and simply remove the horse's access to water in the stall which has the same outcome.
Sincerely,
S. Evans