Stretching exercises really help!

[Laura+Phantom]

Just thought i'd post this in case it was useful to anyone...

I've been doing stretching exercises with my ponies because one of my college lecturers recommended them, and they really work!

Phantom isn't stiff but he really enjoys doing them, but Cassie, my other pony, is usually really stiff, almost to the point of feeling lame, when I ride her. She's going back on the equiflex supplement in the next couple of days but after doing all these stretches with her (she's nowhere near as supple as Phantom) I got on and rode her and she was 100 times better!

Might be a good thing for owners of arthritic/stiff/old horses to try. Cassie is only 10 but the vet thinks she might have early onset arthritis, or just bad joint conformation.

I'm going to do these on both ponies before I ride from now on!

I got the exercises from college but here's a good website that explains them all
http://home.earthlink.net/~faylamassage/id1.html

Note: For the hind leg stetch forwards, if the horse finds this difficult, you can just hold the hind leg up, gently moving the hock upwards,
as if you were doing a flexion test.

[Est]

I've been thinking about trying stretches with Merrick so this is very useful - good link. I'll definitely give it a go. Thanks Lauz45 :)

[Lora]

I do stretches with boogie, so will be following that link soon. :) I usually do it after a workout because as a person that used to run, I don't believe in stretching a cold muscle. That can be worse than what you were going to do to it originally. But something is better than nothing.

He doesn't seem to mind these at all, but the first time he was like "HEY you're not picking out my hoof! WHat are you doing with my leg, fool woman!" :rolleyes:

[Zingy]

I do stretches with boogie, so will be following that link soon. :) I usually do it after a workout because as a person that used to run, I don't believe in stretching a cold muscle. That can be worse than what you were going to do to it originally. But something is better than nothing.

I have a book on stretching exercises that recommends doing them after no less than 20 minutes exercise as otherwise there's too much risk of straining muscles. I have done a small amount without exercise and find them very useful, but getting really bendy is too risky really :D

[clipclop]

I also use these stetches. Go easy to start with if your horse hasn't done them before. But before long they will reap the benefits.

[domane]

Okay, confession - I have tried carrot stretches with Cherry. The one between the legs is fine but if I hold a carrot to her shoulder or her hip all she does is spin round backwards and I have to follow really quickly to keep the carrot in place! How do I stop her doing this...? I got really dizzy!!!! :D

[Stella2]

Okay, confession - I have tried carrot stretches with Cherry. The one between the legs is fine but if I hold a carrot to her shoulder or her hip all she does is spin round backwards and I have to follow really quickly to keep the carrot in place! How do I stop her doing this...? I got really dizzy!!!! :D

I had the same problem. Start by letting her have the carrot by just turning her head. This of course is no use at all as a stretch, but then the next time, ask her to go another inch, build-up over a week or so until you have a little stretch through the neck, then as she becomes more supple, take it a bit further. Also remember to keep the carrot high (near the level of her back) no matter how far you are asking her to come around, as you get much less benefit if its low!

[NoviceNic]

Domane - Put your horse up against a wall then they will be less tempted to just swing around. Captain used to be like that but it only took me one night against the wall and he got the hang of it straight away. He knows where to stand and where the carrot is going to be now. :rolleyes:

Would it be better to do the stretches after schooling??? I was advised to do them before to loosen Captain up and he is very tense. My fault I have ridden him tense.

[Laura+Phantom]

I have to say, I tend to do them before exercising because my pony is so stiff to ride, and they help her loosen up, but I take it very easy, and I was told that it's not so bad to stretch from the field, as the muscles aren't as 'cold', but you should never do stretches with a horse straight from the stable. If I was schooling then i'd probably gently warm the horse up then do the stretches, but it's not practical when hacking out!

Domane - Cassie was the same with the carrot stretches, she tried to chase the carrot! Persistance got there in the end though, however she still doesn't understand when a carrot goes between her front legs, she thinks it's dissapeared!

Phantom already knew that carrot stretch when I bought him as a yearling, but I was young and called it his 'party trick' - I didn't realise it was good for him 'til I was older!

[Kira657]

I did some stretches for my mares because she had tight hamstrings. they did wonders for her