Feel the stretch!

Dec 12, 2016

2 min read

Stretching is a great way to see where your horse is at with his flexibility and suppleness. Using a carrot is a great way to test your horse while rewarding him at the same time! Below are some of my favorite stretches to use after a massage session. Stretching should never be done on "cold" muscles so perform these stretches after working your horse. To get your horse to perform these simple stretches you'll need a few carrots broken into 6-12 pieces. Show the carrot piece to your horse and use it to encourage him to reach around & down while not moving his feet. It's a good idea to note how far your horse can comfortably stretch and record it in a log. After practicing these stretches for a month, compare your horse's “before and after” results. STRETCH #1 - Hold the carrot about midway down your horse’s barrel, where the girth would sit. When he reaches around to grab the carrot, try to keep him from snatching it and whipping back. Aim to keep his head there for at least three seconds, stretching through his neck and into the opposite shoulder. Repeat this stretch two to three times on each side. You can also alter this stretch each time by raising or lowering the position of the carrot to stretch different muscles.

STRETCH #2 – Hold the carrot further back, by the point of the hip (you may find holding the tail during this stretch will help balance your horse and actually encourage a greater stretch). When your horse reaches for the carrot try to encourage him to hold this position for several seconds encouraging a nice stretch through the barrel, back, shoulder, and neck on the opposite side. Repeat this stretch twice on each side.

STRETCH #3 - hold the carrot against your horse's chest and encourage him to hold his head curled into his chest for several seconds. This stretch releases the poll and stretches the muscles of the neck. Repeat this stretch two to three times.

STRETCH #4 - Hold the carrot on the outside of your horse’s front foot, right at the hoof, or right at ground level between the front legs. Encourage him to reach down and stretch his neck out to grab his reward. This stretch lengthens the back and neck muscles. Repeat this stretch two to three times.