*This stretch elongates the neck and sideline, plus creates a warm "huggy" feeling.
It is no secret to althaletes that muscles need to be stretched both before and after a work out. Go to any track meet from high school to the Olympics and you will see athaletes in all sorts of positions readying their muscles for optimal performance. They know that muscle are most vulnerable when cold and tight. So why has it taken us horse people so long to catch on?
So just what is the point of stretching?
Stretching elongates the muscles in a slow steady way. Supple muscles and tendons are far less vulnerable to injury. As you know muscle injuries can take weeks or months out of your training schedule.
That time before a competition is often hectic and packed with last minute frenzy. So why add something else to your pre-show ritual? When many compitions from barrel racing to show jumping are decided by hundreths of a second, why would you not give yourself that extra edge? Spend a few minutes before the show to save you and your horse precious seconds in the ring, not to mention weeks of recovery from from a strained muscle.
Just how do you stretch a horse?
In two words, slow and easy! There are many books out on the subject but nothing can substitute hands on experience. Which is what you'll get during a typical Massage Session with me. I will teach you a variety of stretches that you can perform whenever your horse needs to loosen up. Especially before a competition.Keep in mind that all stretching should be done in a slow controlled manner. Many horses suffer from limited range of motion and can not stretch as far as others initially. Ease them into it. Just don't forget to take care of yourself as well! Stretching is just as important for the rider as it is the horse.
Still think you don't have time preshow? Lucky for you I make house calls! Give me some advanced notice and I will be happy to accompany you and your horse to the show grounds. Fees vary depending on travel distance and expenses.
*Encouraging this horse to stretch his neck forward and down allows me access to massage his deep muscles from the inside. That's not the camera angle, my hand is actually inside his shoulder
So what if your not competing? Your horse can bennefit from a good stretch no matter what you do. Pleasure horses can suffer from old injuries and kinked muscles which make them uncomfortable and difficult to ride.
*NEVER attemp to force a horse to stretch you could cause an injury
Stretching elongates the muscles in a slow steady way. Supple muscles and tendons are far less vulnerable to injury. As you know muscle injuries can take weeks or months out of your training schedule.
In two words, slow and easy! There are many books out on the subject but nothing can substitute hands on experience. Which is what you'll get during a typical Massage Session with me. I will teach you a variety of stretches that you can perform whenever your horse needs to loosen up. Especially before a competition.Keep in mind that all stretching should be done in a slow controlled manner. Many horses suffer from limited range of motion and can not stretch as far as others initially. Ease them into it. Just don't forget to take care of yourself as well! Stretching is just as important for the rider as it is the horse.