Good suppleness within the horse’s body is not just about the elasticity of muscles to allow for movement. Joints, joint capsules, tendons, ligaments and fascia all need to be healthy, mobile, well-lubricated and hydrated to allow a full range of movement. Suppleness and stretching exercises help to maintain range of movement within all these anatomical structures, maintain and improve flexibility, and help to keep the horse injury free.
In this article, we look at an extract from the book A Comprehensive Guide to Pilates for Horses that explains the benefits of stretching exercises for your horse. Gillian also suggests three stretches that all horses should do.
The Positive Effects of Stretching
Vets and therapists are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of stretching and many sports therapists perform stretching as part of their treatment.
Maintaining a healthy musculature, flexibility and suppleness is an important factor in reducing the risk of muscle, tendon, ligament and joint damage. Muscles which have an ability to fully elongate are automatically more supple, therefore stretching is an important aspect of lengthening the muscle fibres and can help reduce injury by lessening the tension on joints, tendons, muscles and ligaments. Tendons are significantly less elastic than muscles and are dependant on the elasticity of the body of the muscle itself - another good reason for keeping muscles in tip top condition!
"Stretching doesn't actually make muscles any longer it's actually about affecting the nerves and body awareness that makes it so effective. This explains why you can feel so much improvement between your first and second yoga sessions!"
Proprioception (body spatial awareness), co-ordination and balance are all vital to good performance. If improvements are made to elasticity, flexibility, range of movement and reflex response time, then the reaction speed of movement is increased resulting in better co-ordination.
Stretching also improves the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids allowing more oxygen and nutrients to enrich the muscles, and for the toxic by-products of metabolism to be removed more efficiently – an important factor in preventing fatigue and reducing recovery time.
How to Perform Stretches
Always ensure both you and the horse are relaxed and comfortable before you begin. Tension of any sort will affect the movement.
Begin slowly. Unless otherwise stated, once the maximum stretch is reached, hold it there for 5-15 seconds to allow the fibres to relax before taking the stretch a little further.
Work a manageable programme into your daily routine.
Be patient. You will only see the benefits of stretching if you perform the stretches regularly and consistently.
I'm always asked about whether you should do exercises before or after work. However it really depends on the exercise. If it is a true passive stretch, this should ideally be performed after some form of simple warm up." says Gillian
If you would like to learn more about the different types of exercises, the best time to perform them and how to integrate them into your routine check out this Pilates for Horses webinar.
The Benefits of Stretching
Increase stride length, range of movement, engagement, flexibility, athleticism and suppleness
Reduce muscular soreness, tension and stiffness
Reduce the risk of injury to joints, muscles and tendons
Improve co-ordination
Maintain the current level of flexibility
Increase mental and physical relaxation
Increase circulation
Enhance body awareness
If you are in any doubt whether these stretches are suitable for your horse, ask your vet and equine physiotherapist. They will be able to advise you.
When asked, which 3 stretches would every horse benefit from performing on a regular basis Gillian responded with
"You will be surprised that I am not going to include the forelimb protraction stretch which we see a lot of people doing a variation of with their horses. I think this is easy for us to do but doesn't have as big an effect and benefit on the whole body as some other stretches we could perform. So the three stretches I'd recommend, 2 are passive and 1 is active, are great for influencing the whole body and the back in particular."
Stretch 1 - Forelimb Retraction Stretch
This is one of Gillian's recommended three stretches because it recruits the abs and rounds and stretches the back as well as some extra benefits! Try incorporating this exercise once a week into your routine.
This passive forelimb retraction stretch can be a strong stretch and it gives relief not only in the forelimb protraction muscles down the front of the leg but also into the neck.
How to do it
Make sure your horse is standing square.
Pick up the horse’s hoof and then turn around so you are facing the horse’s head. Hold the limb supporting the leg above the fetlock and above the knee.
Ensure you keep the lower leg in line with the forearm throughout this exercise, so you don’t twist the knee.
Maintain this position for a moment with a secure, confident hold until you feel the horse relax.
Keeping the cannon bone horizontal, gently increase the pressure on the upper limb so the knee is brought backwards.
Maintaining the pressure above the knee, gradually start to lower the hoof towards the ground. As you do this you will feel the radius come backwards into a horizontal position and beyond.
Continue to lower the hoof towards the ground. Then when you are 1- 5cm above the ground just hold it there. Give the horse the opportunity to take up the stretch, eventually they will reach back and place their toe and heel on the ground. This is a great example of giving the horse the opportunity to stretch rather than forcing it.
Try to hold this position for 3-5 seconds. Repeat the stretch three times with each front leg.
Gillian’s Tips for Stretch Success
A good time to perform this stretch is immediately following work. When the muscles are really warm, you will get a much greater range of movement.
Only ask for a small stretch to start with, gradually increasing the range over several days. Hold the leg above the fetlock joint to encourage the horse to relax and extend the leg backwards.
Think about your own posture whilst performing this exercise to prevent straining your back.
Do not attempt this stretch if your horse has lameness issues, consult your vet and physiotherapist to ask for advice.
Stretch 2 - Whole Spine Extension Stretch
This exercise is in Gillian’s top three stretches because it’s great for back and fascia release. This tail traction is a passive stretch that affects the entire spine. Horses often lean into this and get a lot of relief from it. It’s great to perform this exercise after work as a whole body stretch, to alleviate tension and help reduce the risk of injury.
The aim is to stretch the top line and related muscles, fascia and connective tissue of the entire spine. Only perform this exercise if you are confident that your horse won’t kick. As you do it, listen to your horse, watch for his reactions so you can adjust accordingly. This stretch can be done daily or less often.
If your horse tends to work in a short, tight frame or has tension in the back or hindquarters, this is a good stretch to use.
How to do it
Ensure your horse is standing well and roughly square.
After making sure the horse knows you are there, gently take hold of his tail at the end of the dock. You may wish to wrap the tail around your hand.
Lift the tail so it is at approximately 55 degree angle and so the top line is continuous with the hindquarters. Add a little traction in this position. Stand with your elbows flexed and your chest as close to your hands as possible. Make sure you are standing with your feet directly underneath your hands. Give the horse some time to relax into this position. While you wait focus on your posture, energy and breathing.
Do not pull the horse’s tail. Instead, keeping your body straight, lean back on the horse’s tail, extending your elbows and gradually loading your weight onto the horse’s tail. Imagine doing an upright plank and make sure you keep your ear - shoulder - hip - heel line straight.
If necessary allow for the horse to rearrange his legs and adjust his balance.
Relax and focus on your own breathing to encourage the horse to relax into the position.
Using a carrot, a second person can then encourage the head and neck to come forwards and down. This position can be like in the photograph above or a forward extension, where the mouth should be at or below the level of the sternum.
For maximum benefit, hold the position for a minimum of 30 seconds or for as long as you feel the horse wants it.
Gillian’s Tips for Stretch Success
This exercise doesn’t have to be performed with the head lowered. Sometimes it’s good to give the horse the option to choose where he would like to put his head.
If a second person isn’t available, giving the horse a treat on the floor whilst pulling the tail will create a similar effect.
Stretch 3 - Carrot Low Between The Front Legs
To make this exercise more of a stretch focus, use a lick rather than carrots - you'll be able to get your horse to hold the stretch for longer than with a carrot.
This stretch is the horse’s equivalent of a stomach crunch. This active movement is not just about the neck. It flexes the back, mobilises the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral joints, stretches the topline neck and back muscles, and at the same time is a great strengthening exercise for the neck, abdominal and hip flexor muscles.
In this exercise, the aim is for the horse to lift and flex the withers, neck and back. Also to increase core stability, the musculature of the topline, abdominal strength and back flexibility.
There are numerous benefits to performing this stretch - it encourages the horse to flex and lift the back by stimulating the abdominal muscles. It also promotes correct posture and support for the back.
Give this exercise a go if your horse has weak abdominal muscles, or a poor, extended back posture.
How to do it
Ensure the horse is standing square.
With your lick, stand facing the withers.
Use the lick to encourage the head straight down towards the floor and then move the lick back towards the front hooves.
Now move the lick between the fetlocks to encourage the head to back even further.
Encourage the horse to reach as far back as possible between the front hooves but keep the lick low and close to the ground.
Hold the position for 5-10 seconds.
Repeat the above 2-3 times per session, gradually increasing the stretch by taking the head further back. If you can do this exercise 2 - 3 times a week you will soon start to see a difference in your horse.
If your horse has nuchal or supraspinous ligament desmopathy, ask your vet or physio how much and when in the rehab programme you should introduce this exercise.
Gillian’s Tips for Stretch Success
If your horse tries to step back to get the carrot, try doing it in the stable. In a smaller space he will soon learn to reach for the carrot rather than stepping back.
Perform this exercise at the same time of day within his routine so he does not continually expect carrots!
Learn More Pilates Exercises
If you want to discover more exercises like the ones detailed in this article, that will:
Improving posture, strength and core stability
Creating better balance, coordination and proprioception
Developing a deeper bond
Enhancing comfort and performance
Improving flexibility, mobility and suppleness
Reducing stiffness and the risk of injury
You need to get your hands of the book, A Comprehensive Guide to Pilates
It guides you through a series of stretching and strengthening exercises to help promote a happy, comfortable and healthy horse. The 74 exercises are divided into 10 chapters, each one targeting a different area of the body. The aim of this book is to give horse owners a valuable toolkit to help maintain and improve the horse’s posture, core strength, body awareness, control and balance.
Give these exercises a go and let us know how you get on and the difference you can see and feel in your horse.
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