Stretching
It is important that your horse has warmed up before you begin the stretching routine, as stretching a cold muscle can damage it. This can be done by:
• Handwalking/riding the horse for 15 mins at walk and trot (alternatively, stretch the horse 15 mins into your ride or at the end of the ride) • Massage
• Using heat lamps/solariums
When a horse is being stretched for the first time, begin with holding the stretch for no more than 10 seconds. You can increase the hold to 15 and then 30 seconds over a period of about 6 weeks. Repeat the stretch twice on each leg, alternating sides.
Beware of gripping onto the tendons when picking up the limb and NEVER allow the horse to completely lock his joints out on you as this can cause him to over-stretch his muscles and tendons which can damage them. This can be prevented by keeping a gentle bend in the horse’s joints. If the horse fights the stretch, ease up and go with him. Try the stretch again once he relaxes – you may need to start with only a very small stretch until he understands what you want from him.
Make sure that the horse is standing more or less square before commencing the stretching routine. While stretching the horse, make sure that you do not pull the limb out of its natural line of movement, by deviating it outwards or inwards. Gently place the limb back onto the ground after the stretch.
Forelimb stretch (forwards)
It is important that your horse has warmed up before you begin the stretching routine, as stretching a cold muscle can damage it. This can be done by:
• Handwalking/riding the horse for 15 mins at walk and trot (alternatively, stretch the horse 15 mins into your ride or at the end of the ride) • Massage
• Using heat lamps/solariums
When a horse is being stretched for the first time, begin with holding the stretch for no more than 10 seconds. You can increase the hold to 15 and then 30 seconds over a period of about 6 weeks. Repeat the stretch twice on each leg, alternating sides.
Beware of gripping onto the tendons when picking up the limb and NEVER allow the horse to completely lock his joints out on you as this can cause him to over-stretch his muscles and tendons which can damage them. This can be prevented by keeping a gentle bend in the horse’s joints. If the horse fights the stretch, ease up and go with him. Try the stretch again once he relaxes – you may need to start with only a very small stretch until he understands what you want from him.
Make sure that the horse is standing more or less square before commencing the stretching routine. While stretching the horse, make sure that you do not pull the limb out of its natural line of movement, by deviating it outwards or inwards. Gently place the limb back onto the ground after the stretch.
Forelimb stretch (forwards)
Place your outside hand at
the back of the knee and your inside hand at the fetlock joint. Keep a bend in
your knees and support your arms by resting them against your thigh where
possible.
Forelimb stretch (backwards)
Forelimb stretch (backwards)
Place your outside hand
just above the front of the knee and your inside hand on the front of the
fetlock joint. The angle of the limb must be open at 90 degrees or more.
Hindlimb stretch (forwards)
Place your outside hand just behind the fetlock joint and your inside hand to
the inside of the fetlock joint. Be sure to keep a bend in your knees and
support your arms by keeping them against your body.
Hindlimb stretch (backwards)
Hindlimb stretch (backwards)
Place the horse’s leg on
top of your thigh. You can rest your hands on his/her hock if need be. After
this initial stretch, you may lift your heel very slightly to stretch the
muscles around the thigh area.
