Equine Performance Solutions
Activation exercises and stretches.
CONNECTION CORNER
A piece of advice:
The topline/extensor muscles are large, powerful muscles that in many areas have a significant mechanical strength advantage over the smaller flexor muscles of the underline. They are also heavily influenced by the horse's anxiety and stress levels, so they can have a tendency of becoming stuck in static contraction.
But healthy movement is all about the two lines working together in harmony, with a healthy balance between relaxation/lengthening and contraction/shortening.
One of my favorite things I do to help prepare a horse's body for a ride, and something that I teach my bodywork clients to do, is activation exercises and stretches.
Wither lifts, hind-end tucks, pulsing tail pulls, and appropriately chosen carrot stretches can encourage the horse to lengthen through areas of the topline while activating muscles that support the trunk and spine. The key word is active stretching. One muscle group is stretching while the opposing is contracting. The horse is participating in the movement rather than us simply pulling a limb or body part into a stretch, which is something that I like to save for after the ride when the tissue is warm.
A lot of horses dislike wither lifts and hind-end tucks because they are too tight over their topline. If this is the case, then 1. schedule a bodywork session for your horse 😉, and 2. teach them how to do it correctly. Don't just grab a hoof pick and poke them under their belly but start gently and reward the slightest try. It shouldn't be painful or uncomfortable to them, and when done correctly and within the horse's limits, it should start to feel good to them.
About the author:
Vicke is an equine bodyworker who specializing in movement training, and an educator dedicated to helping horses move, perform, and feel their best. With a lifelong passion for horses and years of hands-on experience, she specializes in identifying the underlying causes of movement dysfunction rather than simply addressing the symptoms.
Vicke has also developed the Equine Posture and Movement Training Master Class, an online educational program designed to make functional anatomy understandable for everyday horse owners. She gives owners the knowledge and confidence to recognize what is happening with their horse's posture, visualize what is possible, and apply a practical framework that helps horses develop healthier posture, movement, and long-term performance. Visit Equine Performance Solutions HERE