Older horse advice

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iloveCharlie5

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My girl's reaching 16 now, she still acts young but i had a lesson with a new instructor today and they pointed out that she was very stiff in her neck; i have known this since i got her-she has always held her head very very low and since i started working on it she has gotten much better; her head carriage when ridden is still very straight and low though. She did dressage with her old owners and my old instructor once said she 'can go in an outline, she just needs telling'. i dont agree with this because i know for a fact that she doesnt have the right muscles there yet- she also leans on the contact a lot, is hard to turn and finds it hard to bend her neck whilst being ridden... This is pretty much all based around her neck, and so i was wondering if anybody has any exercises, feed/feed supplements or tips that they could share to help me out??? I just want to make it easier for her and get her more supple.
Thanks :)
 
Suggest you arrange a physio session and ask for advise specific to your horse. There are various carrot stretches that may be of help. Nevertheless, your horse does need to be examined by a vet or physio before commencing a stretching program.
 
mtj said:
Suggest you arrange a physio session and ask for advise specific to your horse. There are various carrot stretches that may be of help. Nevertheless, your horse does need to be examined by a vet or physio before commencing a stretching program.
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heya, she has been recently seen by a vet but the verdict is that it is just stiffness and lack of muscle there, thankyou for your advice :)
 
iloveCharlie5 said:
heya, she has been recently seen by a vet but the verdict is that it is just stiffness and lack of muscle there, thankyou for your advice :)
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In that case a session with a physio could really help. They will help with the stiffness, and I'm sure you horse will enjoy the daily carrot stretches. Given the cost of a lesson, a session with a physio will be great value if it accelerates your progress.

The basic idea is that you hold a piece of carrot near your (loose in stable) horse's nose and gradually move it towards the flank to entice a stretch. The physio will show you how to do this to best effect.

My 18 yr old has this down to a fine art and stretches to his stifle for a yummy reward.
 
mtj said:
In that case a session with a physio could really help. They will help with the stiffness, and I'm sure you horse will enjoy the daily carrot stretches. Given the cost of a lesson, a session with a physio will be great value if it accelerates your progress.

The basic idea is that you hold a piece of carrot near your (loose in stable) horse's nose and gradually move it towards the flank to entice a stretch. The physio will show you how to do this to best effect.

My 18 yr old has this down to a fine art and stretches to his stifle for a yummy reward.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that sounds like a good idea, i'll get onto that!!
Oh i know what you mean-we've done stretched before, like bending round to one side of her tummy and stuff?
:)
 
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