Three Front End Stretches to Reduce Your Horse's Shoulder Stiffness and Increase Performance

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Whether your horse is a quiet trail companion or a high-energy competitor, just like a human athlete, he needs regular stretching sessions to perform his best. Stretching increases elasticity and suppleness, which reduces the risk of injury. It also reduces inflammation and increases circulation.

A horse carries 60 percent of his weight on his front end, so keeping these limbs supple and stretched is especially important. These three stretching exercises target the shoulder, elbow, and carpal muscles and are appropriate for a horse who has a shortened front stride from shoulder stiffness. Be sure that you stretch both sides equally. You can perform all exercises on one side before moving to the other, or you can do the same stretch on each side.

Before You Begin

• Check with your vet if your horse has any lameness or existing injuries. Stretching may slow the healing process or cause further damage in some cases.
• Prepare an area for stretching. I use my arena or the shade of my hay barn, but you can also perform these exercises in a round pen or a cleared barn aisle. Make sure you always have an escape route in case your horse panics or lashes out. Avoid standing between your horse and a solid object.
• Warm up your horse by trotting 5 minutes each direction on the lunge line, 15 minutes of hand walking, or perform these stretches after riding. Do not stretch cold muscles. (I recommend Southwestern Equine's cotton web lunge line because cotton will not burn your hands if your horse pulls. Buy it here. See the other equipment that I recommend in Improve Your Horse's Balance and Topline with the Right Lunging Equipment.)
• While lunging your horse, watch for any stiffness. Is it just one one side, or on both? See how to evaluate your horse in Four Points to Evaluate While Lunging Your Horse.
• Your horse will stand freely during these exercises. Do not tie him. If you have concerns that he will run off, have a second person available to hold him. I recommend using a flat nylon halter (Hamilton is my favorite brand because of their longevity. Buy it here.) and a cotton lead rope (Weaver makes a quality cotton lead rope with a good bolt snap. Buy it here.). Avoid nylon lead ropes because if your horse pulls back the rope can burn your handler’s hands.
• Hold each stretch for 15 seconds before releasing.
• Stop applying pressure when you feel a natural resistance. Move slowly to avoid over-stretching your horse.
• Get yourself in a positive mindset. Your horse will respond to your energy.

 
Shoulder Flexor and Elbow Extensor

This stretch targets both the shoulder flexor and elbow extensor.
 
Stand at the horse’s shoulder facing his tail. Pick up one front leg and place your hands behind his knee. Gently bring his front leg forward and lift upward until you feel a natural resistance.  His lower leg should hang naturally at a 90 degree angle. Hold for 15 seconds and then repeat on the other side.

Carpal Flexor

This stretch targets the shoulder flexor, elbow extensor, and the carpal flexor muscles.
 
Stand at the horse’s shoulder facing his tail. Pick up one front leg and place your outside hand behind his knee and your inside hand on his fetlock. Gently bring the leg forward and extend the lower part of the limb.  
 
Shoulder Extensor

When you stretch one muscle, you need to stretch the opposite muscle as well. This stretch targets the shoulder extensor.
 
Stand at the horse’s shoulder facing his tail. Pick up one front leg and place your outside hand below his knee and your inside hand below his fetlock so that the leg is at a 90-degree angle. Gently move his leg under his belly until you feel a natural resistance.
 
Good for Mind and Body
 
Stretching benefits your horse’s body and his mind. Make this a part of your regular training routine to keep him in his best physical condition. Remember that you must be in the right mindset before you begin so that your horse feeds off of your quiet positive energy for a relaxing, successful stretching session.