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Stretching: Does It Help?By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 8, 2010
A note in Equine Science Update says that passive stretching exercises may or may not help your horse move more freely, and could even produce the opposite result.
In a study conducted at Myerscough College, two stretching routines were used for eight weeks on six mares and twelve geldings divided into three groups. Horses in the first group were stretched six days a week; horses in the second group were stretched three times a week; and the third group was a non-stretched control group. A single qualified equine body worker performed all the stretches, and a single experienced handler trotted the horses in hand at a constant speed after stretching.
No detectable differences in stride length between treatment groups were found using video analysis. Among the groups, the smallest range of motion was found in stifles and hocks of the horses that were stretched six times a week. Shoulder range of motion was greatest in the horses stretched three times a week. Though limited conclusions can be drawn that would apply to every horse in every situation, it is suggested that daily stretching, even by a trained professional, may not benefit horses.
