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.

WHEN SHOULD I DO THEM?

Carrot stretches are most effective when performed after the horse’s normal exercise. This is because joint mobility and muscle stretch is enhanced when the horse’s body is warm and likelihood of injury caused from over stretching is reduced.

HOW DO I DO THEM?

The theory is easy: You hold out the carrot and the horse reaches for it.Job done!

HOW DO I DO THEM CORRECTLY??

Firstly choose an area with good, level, non slip footing. This could be an arena, large bedded stable, or level paddock. The horse should only have a headcollar on and should start stood square and balanced. Carrots should be cut in half length wise to decrease the total amount needed for each session. During all stretches, the handler should stand close to the horse but be aware of their own positioning in case the horse becomes unbalanced and they need to step clear.

Encourage the horse to hold each position for a few seconds, followed by a moment to allow them to relax their muscles and return to neutral before the next attempt.

Perform three to five repetitions of each exercise, four to six days a week or as regularly as possible.

Begin gradually. Over time you can increase the stretch by bringing the carrot a little further between the legs (with the chin to knee, or chin to fetlock exercises), closer to the chest (chin to chest) or further back toward the hind end with the lateral stretches.

LATERAL (side to side) BENDING EXERCISE

1. Bending to the shoulder

The handler should stand near the shoulder facing away from the horse. Use the carrot to encourage the horse to stretch around your body toward the girth. Try to get the carrot 1-2 feet away from the horses side and no higher than the flank.If the carrot is higher, some horses will hollow their back rather than rounding it, so the benefits of the exercise are lost.The horse should bend evenly through the neck with minimal rotation of the head I.e Try to keep the ears at the same level, this encourages the horse to truly stretch through the length of the neck, rather than twisting. Hold the stretch for a few seconds. Slowly increase the length of each stretch as the horse becomes more familiar with the activity and build up to 10-15 seconds.

Benefits: Loosens up head/neck and neck/shoulder junctions, increases flexibility in vertebrae of the neck by loosening up surrounding muscles

2. Bending to the hip around handler

As the horse progresses, extend the stretch from the level of the girth, towards the hip.

3. Bending to the hind fetlock

Stand about three feet away from the horse’s hindquarters, facing forward, and holding the carrot in the hand away from his side.

■ Hold the carrot about two feet away from the horse’s side, entice his chin to reach as far back and down as possible. The horse should develop an increased range of motion over time as flexibility improves, so keep encouraging him to stretch further down and back.

Benefits: This carrot stretch stimulates maximal lateral bending of the neck and spine and helps activate the abdominal and pelvic stabilizer muscles.

FLEXION (rounding) EXERCISES

The horse’s head and neck should remain straight and in alignment with the middle of the body throughout the exercise, without twisting to one side. The ears should remain level with each other.

4. Chin to Chest Stretch

Stand at the horse’s shoulder, facing forward, and holding the carrot in the hand closest to the animal.

■ Hold the carrot in front of the chest, encouraging him to bring his chin toward his chest, and hold the rounded position for a few seconds.

5. Chin to knee

The handler should stand near the horse’s girth, facing the same direction as the horse. Use the bait to encourage the horse to stretch down to the level of the knee. The horse should bend evenly through the neck and back. The head is level and the back is rounded. Hold for 10-15 seconds.

6. Chin to fetlock

It’s important during this exercise to ensure the horse’s forelimbs are placed far enough apart to allow his head to pass through them.

■ Stand at the horse’s girth, facing forward and holding a carrot in the hand closest to the animal. ■Pass the carrot between the horse’s forelimbs and entice the horse to lower his chin toward his fetlocks, encouraging him to bring his chin down between his forelimbs, and hold the position for a few seconds.

Benefits: This stretch encourages deep flexion in the horse’s lower neck

7. Chin to the girth line

Benefits: Opens/releases head neck junction, nice stretch for ligaments of the top lineExtension stretch

EXTENTION EXERCISE

8. Extension to the front down

Benefits: Stretches/releases tension in ligaments of the top line

POSSIBLE ISSUES

Particularly in the beginning, a horses may shift its position or take a step towards the carrot instead of completing the stretch. Some horses may need to take a step back to regain balance as they begin to develop core strength and control. Blocking the horse’s path with a wall a the gentle hand can discourage unwanted movement. Always ensure you stand in a safe position relative to the horse and maintain enough space around you to be able to step back if necessary.

ENHANCEMENTS

Chin to chest - As the horse becomes more flexible, encourage him to bring his chin closer to his chest or underside of the neck to increase the degree of flexion in the mid- to up- per neck.

Chin to knees, and chin to fetlock - As the horse progresses, extend the stretch between the knees

or down and back between the fetlocks towards his hind limbs. Some horses may lift the heals of their front feet or slightly bend their knees as you extend the stretch but this is normal and should be allowed.

RESULTS

The end result of regular carrot stretches include, Improved strength and balance

• Enhanced range of motion

• Suppleness of the neck and back

• Reduce potential for athletic injury

• Rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injury And a horse that looks forward to spending time and exercising with you.

“WHY WOULD’NT YOU?”