Carrot stretches - is there any benefit?

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djlynwood

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I loan a 20 year old gent who is still going strong. I started to do carrot stretches with him and want to know if it will really make a difference or is it just a fun thing to do.

How many of you do them and how often?
 
Like most flexiblity exercises, correctly performed and as part of a complete healthcare regime I believe they are of benefit. I have done them 2-3 times a week with my active 22 year old for the last 8 years and at his regular checks his chiro / osteo always comments on how supple and easy to work with he is.
 
ermmm ok daft question , wats carrot stretches
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ermmm ok daft question , wats carrot stretches
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Take a carrot (or other bribe of choice). Use it to slowly get horse's head to bend down to right and left (on level with the knee each side); and between front legs.
 
Yes they are very good if done correctly on a very regular basis.

I think its important to ask your chiropractor (when they do their visit) to show you how they should be done though to prevent causing any damage and to make sure that what you are doing is truly benefiting your horse, if something is done correctly its a waste of time plus you should never stretch torn or cold muscles and introduce them gradually. Regular stretches and massages really do help to keep a horse supple.
 
ok just to throw a kerb ball in!

kenzo why shouldn't you stretch cold muscles? we all do as a pre warm up to sports. You should expect less of a stretch but it doesn't mean you shouldn't surely as long as you aren't pushing it too far.

Also pone has currently a torn muscle near top of shoulder, we are doing lots of stretches (passive and active) on advice of the vet to ensure that as it heals range of movement of the shoulder is maintained.
 
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ok just to throw a kerb ball in!

kenzo why shouldn't you stretch cold muscles? we all do as a pre warm up to sports. You should expect less of a stretch but it doesn't mean you shouldn't surely as long as you aren't pushing it too far.



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Why would you want to stretch cold muscles?

Stretching should be done once the muscles are warmed up - when I was training at a decent level (10 - 12 times a week) I'd do a short 5 min warm up to warm and loosen, then gently stretch, warm up for a further 10 mins, stretch again and then work. Cool down was a similar staggered method.
 
Yes I see your point your making and with regards to the torn muscles but that is on recommendation by your vet, however ideally you should warm up first before doing muscle stretches, stretching a warm muscle is much more beneficial than stretching a cold one, there is a difference between warming up exercises and muscle stretches which is why I thought it was appropriate to mention not to stretch cold muscles before people go out and start performing random stretches on there horses when they could be potential causing more harm as one of the most common causes of injury to the muscles is by stretching cold muscles or overstretching.
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K, think you missed an 'in' out in front of 'correctly'
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I know, my grammar is terrible its because I type that fast (well try to), I know what I want to say...just doesn't come out very well lol
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Glad there are some people on here that do these! I do them with mine (although more along his body, not at knee level, will try that one, although Chiro hasn't said that I have broken him by doing that, so hopefully ok!)

My friend laughs at me when I do these, and says there's no point to them. I like doing them, not always with carrots - sometimes I'm poor and have to substitute in grass (luckily ned is very greedy) - but he knows the routine now.

I do them once I have put his saddle on, I like to feel he then warms into it, which I know his probably complete tosh, but again, he doesn't seem to have been harmed this way
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thanks kenzo just thought I would play devils advocate thinks that clarifies the point a bit!
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Though currently I am far to involved in the stretching of some rather heavy front legs!
 
My pony had a couple of sore points when McTimoney lady came - neck stretches I could do anytime but leg stretches (for his girth area) I can only do after being ridden - i.e when muscles were warm.
 
I wonder what everyone's definition of warmed up is then? My horse is out 24/7, eating, rolling, scratching himself. I don't think it puts too much pressure on him to bend his neck each way, esp as this is what he would be doing anyway each time he wants a scratch
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I would think that moochin around a field is enough of a 'warm up'
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I stretch out horses front legs after I have done the girth up to release any pinches, but this he does on command, so stretches himself, I don't pull his leg out for him
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I horse will stretch further than is necessarily comfortable for food, therefore risking injury to the muscle, which is why I only ever do stretches on a warm horse. I tend to do stretching after a schooling session, but otherwise, 10 minutes of warm up or so, when the horse physically feels warm. Glad to hear you don't pull his legs in front of him, it can really cause damage when a human pulls a cold lef forwards like that - it is perfectly acceptable to run a couple of fingers under the girth to make sure nothing is pinched.
 
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