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Three Easy Stretches For Your Horse |
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Any human athlete understands the importance of warming up and stretching before
any excercise or physical strain. While only recently did the horse world become
more aware--we now see horse massage clinics, equine chiropractors, and thermal
imaging for horses--even the old-time cowboy knew enough to start out slow and let
a horse warm up before asking too much from him.
Here are some easy stretches you can do with your horse before a day's work. Be
sure to warm up the horse with 10-15 minutes of easy movement before stretching,
as you want to warm the muscles and loosen the ligaments before you stretch.
Leg Stretches
Tricep stretches can be done to the forelegs by facing the rear of the horse and
picking up the hoof as you normally would. Hold the foreleg just above the knee
and let the lower leg hang loosely on a 90 degree angle. With your hands supporting
the foreleg, raise it up until you feel resistance and hold that position for 10
seconds. Then relax the leg, and holding the hoof and pastern, extend the leg forward
and slightly upward until you meet resistance, hold, and release. Repeat for the
other front leg.
You will perform hamstring stretches for the hind legs. Standing beside the horse
facing the rear, pick up a hind foot and gently pull the leg forward, holding the
fetlock and tip of the hoof. Extend the leg until you feel resistance, hold for 10
seconds, and release. Repeat on the other side.
Spine and Core Stretches
Use your fingers to softly rub the horse's belly in a circular motion. Always watch
a horse's reaction when doing this, as some horses may be too sensitive or be irritated
with this excercise. If the horse is comfortable with the rubbing, increase the
pressure slightly and stiffen your fingers to rake from side to side with more pressure
and a faster speed. The horse should react with contracting the abdomen and raising
the back in a reflex movement.
Neck Stretches
You can do neck stretches using either treats or halter and lead rope. With a treat,
stand at the horse's side and have the horse reach his neck around to get the treat
without moving his feet. Try to get him to stretch his neck laterally around to each
side. And then offer a treat low beneath his front feet and stretch his neck back
toward his chest. With a lead rope, turn the horse's head and stretch towards each
side, reaching his nose back towards his sides. Then stretch vertically down to
touch his chest. Only stretch to the horse's comfort level, do not stretch him
forcefully. A horse will get more limber and willing with more practice, but overly
stretching a horse can make them sore.
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