Do you stretch before/after riding

[FestiveFuzz]

Recently I've taken on a new loan horse who is a good doer and after a few months without a rider is looking a tad on the porky side.

I'm currently trying to get her back on track with plenty of hill work but am finding after the longer hacks my hamstrings and knees really ache and am wondering if stretching before and after riding would help.

So do you stretch when riding and if so which stretches do you find most effective?

 

[misterjinglejay]

Absolutely, and I expect my pupils to aswell - after all we expect our horses to carry us, it's the least we can do.

I do lunges, squats, shoulder raises, ankle and wrist circles, hamstring stretches, neck rolling, anything that gets joints and muscles moving. I find I ride much better afterwards.

 

[GreyCloud]

I normally ache like mad the day after riding so I should probably start stretching!