Stretching Pays Off

Do your homework and do the work to get the most out of stretching
by Nicole Lanphear

One of the most important aspects of your horse’s training is his overall health. A huge part of this is the health of his muscles and joints. When used properly, stretches can help ensure flexibility and prevent injury. Stretching improves blood circulation, elongates muscles and helps the horse relax.

Before you start a regular routine of stretching, passively test your horses’ body through slow, relaxed stretches to see if he responds with any pain or compensation. Work on level ground when your horse is relaxed. If your horse backs off, stop stretching. The goal is to improve mobility, but if it is painful, it will be counterproductive.

While horses are much stronger than humans, it doesn’t take a body builder to stretch out a horse. The amount of time spent doing a stretch is more effective than a hard grip or overextension. At the same time, this work can be beneficial to you! Remember last month when we talked about play time? Put on some music and make the stretching exercises a relaxing game for yourself and the horse. If you do other kinds of stretching for yourself, such as yoga, do that first so you are limber and relaxed when you begin your horse's stretching session. Plan on devoting at least five minutes a day to stretching your horse. It isn't a lot, and can save you time later by giving you a horse less prone to illness and injury.
Insert photo Horse1, credit: Lars Sundström

Stretches to Try
Some basic stretches include using a carrot or treat and placing it next to the girth area, bringing the horse’s nose back toward the treat and holding for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Hold a carrot down between the horse’s front legs, bringing his nose down to his fetlocks. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. For a more complete set of stretches, talk with your veterinarian and ask him or her specifically how long to hold each stretch for each muscle. There are also plenty of books on equine stretching available. See the sources noted below.

Not all stretching takes place on the ground – transitions in a straight line and a light trot elongate many different muscles. Learning a little bit of basic dressage can help with under saddle stretching. Also, the best time for ground stretching is after a 15 minute warm-up of going through all the gaits.

Concerns
Overstretching is a concern that should not be taken lightly. Many times a stretch can cause hypertension in the spine or flex the spine but not the muscles. Be aware of your horse’s reaction and don’t put all your muscle and might into stretching. If, despite your care, your horse seems to have some soreness after stretching, talk to your vet or other equine health specialist about how best to care for the injury and when to return to your stretching program.

Be calm, steady and diligent in your stretching routine. If you take your time and build your horse's flexibility gradually, the benefits can be enormous.

Sources:
Pros and Cons of Equine Stretching by Michael Baxter
Stretching Exercises for your Horse by Sue M. Copeland
Stretching out the Kinks by Stephanie L. Church