Stretching
Stretching is an integral part of your horse’s routine – whether you prefer a quiet trail ride or thrive in the competitive world. It should be performed consistently.
WHY EQUINE STRETCHING?
Stretching helps resist the gradual shortening and tightening of tissue that derives from both underuse and overuse.
This can cause stiffness to structures, create discomfort and negatively impact performance. It results in injury, leads to inactivity and eventually speeds up the aging of the musculoskeletal system.
To keep your horse supple and maintain good muscle health, the connective tissue and muscles need regular stretching which
- increases horses flexibility and improves range of motion
- helps maintain elasticism of muscles, tendons, ligaments and
fascia.
- shows your horse’s more supple side and helps focus you
on evening them out
- improves circulation
DID YOU KNOW...
Stretching will be performed on warm muscles. Stretching cold muscles can cause tears, strains and other injuries and issues. Muscles should be carefully stretched at least twice.
Passive stretches enhance sensory nerve endings in muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints (known as proprioceptors) that give the brain information about the movement and body position.
For instance, after injury, proprioception is modified by sensations of pain/ lameness. Naturally, the body tries to avoid these feelings by either limiting movement or by using other muscles for compensation.
Stretching helps to reset the proprioceptors by holding a stretch for about 25 seconds, the body’s process of remodeling can start.
This can restore positive responses instead of negative ones.
