Carrot stretches WHAT ON EARTH???
Make your horse stretch to reach a carrot. Obvious really!
The horse is encouraged – using a carrot – to stretch as far as his abilities allow. This is known as an active stretch or a dynamic mobilisation stretch.
WHY WOULD YOU?? Active stretches (carrot stretches) are a great way of enabling your horse to increase flexibility, core strength and balance whilst gaining or retaining a full range of motion. They harness the horse’s natural range of motion, build core strength and improve flexibility while ensuring their is no use of force or resistance which may be caused whilst encouraging bend with the use of tack. Using a carrot you can encourage different motions including rounding (flexion) and side to side (lateral) bending. During each exercise, the horse moves to gradually stretch its muscles. The horse should never be forced into a position, as this could result in over stretching or injury. Practicing carrots stretches daily should yield results within 2-3 weeks.
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