The Horse Physio - Delivering care with expertise since 1992

Why should I do stretches with my horse?

If you prefer, you can listen to this blog on YouTube here.

A regular stretching routine could:

  • Improve comfort
  • Increase range of movement
  • Reduce the risk of injury
  • Relax your horse
  • Reduce spooky behaviour
  • Lead to higher dressage scores or more clear rounds
  • And much more…

Tight muscles can often lead to soreness.

As a horse owner, you understand the importance of keeping your equine friend comfortable and happy. Tight muscles can often lead to soreness. A 15-minute stretching session can make a significant improvement in easing tension and alleviating discomfort in your horse. The stretching routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Just getting your horse moving can make all the difference. Similar to how you feel after a 15-minute yoga session, your horse can feel looser and more comfortable after he has stretched. With regular stretching, you can help ensure your horse stays happy and healthy.

When your horse’s muscles are tight, this can cause pain and affect his movement patterns.

When your horse’s muscles are tight, this can cause pain and affect his movement patterns. For instance, if your horse experiences tightness in his back, he might struggle with lifting through his withers. This inability to lift can make it challenging for him to bring his hindquarters underneath him as smoothly as he can when his back is functioning correctly. Consequently, your horse may compensate by overexerting his hips, stifles, and hocks, which could eventually result in soft tissue or bony changes in his back legs.

Help me to help 100 horses

Do you live in an area where it’s challenging to get access to physio for your horse? Does the cost of physio mean that you can’t have your horse treated as often as you’d like? Would you like to be able to do more for your horse?

Do you know someone who any of the above applies to? Please help me reach these people and their horses by sharing this blog. I’d love to help 100 horses this month; perhaps it’s your horse I can help? If not your horse, wouldn’t it feel wonderful knowing that you have made a difference by passing on the information someone needs to support their horse?

I’m on a mission to help those who can’t get the horse physio assessment and treatment they would like to offer their horse. I’ve carefully and lovingly created an online course, “Stretching Your Horse: A Guide to Keeping Your Equine Friend Happy and Healthy”. There are ten stretching exercises (video included) and lots of information about how, where, when, why and what to stretch.

Course Overview

Discover the transformative power of stretching for your horse with our comprehensive course, giving easy to follow instructions on various stretches designed to enhance your horse’s comfort, movement, and overall performance. By the end of the course, you will not only understand the importance of stretching but also gain practical knowledge about its implementation.

A regular stretching routine can offer a multitude of benefits:

  • Improve Comfort: Alleviate tension and discomfort in your horse’s muscles.
  • Increase Range of Movement: Enhance flexibility for smoother and more efficient movement.
  • Reduce the Risk of Injury: Minimise the likelihood of injuries through improved muscle condition.
  • Relax Your Horse: Promote relaxation and reduce stress-related behaviours.
  • Improve Performance: Experience higher scores in dressage or more clear rounds in various disciplines.

Just as a short yoga session can leave you feeling more relaxed, a 15-minute stretching session can do wonders for your horse’s comfort and well-being.

Meet Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio

Meet Sue Palmer – The Horse Physio

Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio, is a distinguished figure in the equestrian world. As an award-winning author, ACPAT, and RAMP registered Chartered Physiotherapist and Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainer, Sue brings a wealth of knowledge to this course. With qualifications from prestigious institutions and extensive experience treating horses, Sue is dedicated to promoting ethical and harmonious horsemanship.

Join Us on the Journey

Enrol on “Stretching Your Horse: A Guide to Keeping Your Equine Friend Happy and Healthy” and take the next step on the wellness journey with your horse.

Click here to enrol today

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