CARROT STRETCHES

Whilst our ponies might not be able to join us in our yoga classes, they can definitely benefit from a good stretch. Carrot stretches are a great way of encouraging your pony to stretch, as the tasty carrot ensures your pony will be motivated to give you the best stretch he possibly can!

Benefits of carrot stretches

Carrot stretches are great because:

• They help to increase your pony’s suppleness

• They can reduce muscle soreness and tightness

• They can reduce the risk of injury

• The can improve co-ordination

• They can help your pony to relax

How to start

When you start doing carrot stretches, it is important to go slowly as if your pony is not used to stretching he might find the exercises quite tricky to begin with. You also need to remember that it takes a bit of time to see the benefits of carrot stretches, so doing them once is not going to be enough. You should try and do carrot stretches 2-3 times per week and if you are patient and stick with this routine, you’ll see big benefits over time

NOTE: Make sure the carrots you are using are long enough to keep your fingers safe if your pony gets a bit greedy. If you are concerned about this, consider holding a tasty lick in your hand instead of the carrot.

Lateral stretch

This is the easiest stretch to do so it is a good idea to start with this one. This stretch lengthens the muscles in the neck and the side of the spine. It also improves your pony’s ability to bend through his neck.

To do it:

• Stand by your pony’s left shoulder and face towards his head.

• Keep your outside hand with the treat at roughly waist height and encourage him to bring his head around so that he’s facing you, without moving his feet.

• Hold for five seconds before allowing him to eat the carrot.

• Repeat three times more and then do it on the other side.

Chin to chest

This is quite a deep stretch for your pony so he probably won’t be able to touch his chest with his chin straight away, but you can build up to it over time.

To do it:

• Stand by your pony’s shoulder and face his head.

• Bring your hand with the carrot down to just in front of his chest.

• His head and neck should stay in a rounded position for a few seconds and then he can eat the carrot.

• Repeat two or three times more.

Top tip: It can be a good idea to alternate which shoulder you stand at in this exercise, as some ponies will naturally twist towards the side you are standing on.

Touch the toes

This flexes the muscles in your pony’s withers and back, which he needs to use for jumping or working in a frame. You may find that your pony bends one of his front legs to try and reach the carrot. This is fine as long as he is still engaging his core by lifting his back and stomach.

To do it:

• Stand by your pony’s shoulder and face his head.

• Keep his head straight and encourage him to bring it down between his front legs by leading him there with the carrot.

• Hold the stretch for around five seconds and then let him have the carrot.

• Repeat three more times.

Long and low

This stretch encourages your pony to bend his neck to the side, but also to lower it as well. This works like the lateral stretch to work the muscles along his spine, but by asking for the lowering of the head it also works his core.

To do it:

• Stand just behind your pony’s left shoulder, around where the girth goes, and face his head.

• Hold the carrot in one hand and encourage your pony to bring his head down to the outside of his left fetlock.

• Hold for 5 seconds and then he can have the carrot.

• Repeat twice more on his left and then have a go on his right.

NOTE: You can make this stretch more challenging by bringing your hand lower and more towards his hindquarters each time.

Troubleshooting

• If your pony tries to move his feet to get to the carrot, it can be a sign that the stretch is too much for him at the moment. If you think this might be the case, simply reposition your pony and make the stretch a bit less challenging. If you suspect your pony is just following the carrot, then reposition him and start the stretch again, but without making it easier. Over time your pony will understand what you are asking and bend his body rather than moving his feet.

• If you find your pony tries to step back to get the carrot, then try doing the exercises in his stable where there is less room for him to move around.