Stretches for your horse-Balanced Equine Performance
Stretches for your horse
While treating horses I will often come across areas that are tight or sore and have reduced flexibility. I will often recommend performing stretches that will help to improve your horses flexibility and improve and maintain the response to treatment. Below I will show you the most common stretches I will advise you to perform. Generally speaking I would perform stretches after the horse has been worked while the muscles are still warm. Belly LiftsBelly lifts are a great exercise for stretching the topline of the horse and improving the function of the thorax. Belly lifts 1 Some horses don't like to perform belly lifts and may need some coaxing. Please position yourself so that you don't get kicked. I will often give a small treat or a good pat after asking for a small lift of the belly to encourage the reluctant horse and slowly build on the response over a few weeks as often this can be painful/difficult. Belly lift 2 Bum TucksThis is a great exercise to stretch the lumbar area and pelvis. This is another exercise that can stimulate a kick response so please be careful and position yourself to the side of the horse. Bum Tucks Carrot Stretches Around to the hind fetlockThis is one of the main stretches that has been shown to help to improve posture and back strength and in particular the multifidus muscles. (see article 'Understanding Equine Back Pain'). It is also a great exercise for improving flexibility of the horses back.Around to the hind fetlock Around to the hipThis is a great exercise for improving flexibility and range of motion of the whole spine.Around to the hip Between the front legsThis is another great exercise for improving the horses flexibility and range of motion in a different plane.Between the front legs Out sidewaysThis stretch is great for stretching the lower neck in particularOut sideways
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