Stretch Exercises for Horses: Build and Preserve Mobility, Strength, and Suppleness

Stretching is essential for athletes' exercise and maintenance routine, and can bring the same benefits to horses. This illustrated handbook provides simple exercises to improve performance and increase longevity in a horse's training schedule. It explains anatomical and physiological principles of stretching, with detailed instructions on joint and muscle evaluations, stretches targeting specific muscle groups, and stretches to promote suppleness and relaxation. Color photographs demonstrate evaluations and stretches step-by-step, and readers are provided a therapeutic reason for more hands-on time with their horses.

Format: Spiral bound
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Trafalgar Square

Stretching is an essential component of any athlete's exercise and maintenance routine, and it holds significant benefits for horses as well. Long recognized for its ability to promote flexibility and prevent injuries in humans, stretching can bring the same advantages to horses when incorporated into their daily care. This comprehensive illustrated handbook makes it effortless for riders and owners to include simple exercises that enhance performance and extend the longevity of their usual training schedule.

Optimal equine performance necessitates the harmonious development of strength, flexibility, coordination, and resilience. The practice of stretching enables the cultivation and maintenance of these essential elements in perfect harmony. Moreover, it serves as a valuable transition period from hours spent in a stall to the gymnastic expectations we have for horses under saddle. These expectations encompass the rhythm and elasticity of the gaits, willingness to go forward, beautiful and dynamic movement, reliability and surefootedness, and many other desirable qualities.

By providing clear descriptions of the anatomical and physiological principles of stretching, readers gain a deeper understanding of the exercises that may be most suitable for their horses and their respective disciplines. Detailed instructions are then provided, outlining:- Simple, quick-to-do joint and muscle evaluations.- Stretches targeting specific muscle groups.- Stretches to promote suppleness and relaxation.- Stretches to warm up and prepare for work.- Stretches for cool down and recovery.

Color photographs accompany these instructions, demonstrating evaluations and stretches step-by-step, accompanied by detailed explanations of what one may observe in their horse's reactions. Perhaps most importantly, readers are offered a therapeutic rationale for spending more hands-on time with their horses, fostering new avenues for listening to, understanding, and ultimately improving their horse's well-being and performance.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 185 x 248 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781646010936