Stretches Part 2

After you relieve muscle tension in the back, you move on to stretch the legs.

Step 2: Front Legs

Stretch: Hoof to Chest

Ask the horse to lift his front leg and collapse the leg so that hoof is touching the top of the leg or the chest.  The leg will almost look like it is folded in half.  Hold for 20 - 30 seconds.  Do not drop the leg at any point. Simply move from this stretch into the next stretch.

Stretch: Hoof to Chestnut

After stretching the leg hoof to chest, gently bring the hoof down and out laterally so that the hoof is now touching the chestnut.  This will mean the horse's leg will be stretched inwards to the side.  Hold for 20 - 30 seconds, and as with the other stretches, never simply drop the leg when you are done with it.  This stretch is especially useful if a horse has cast himself as you will need to be able to grab the lower leg and swing it towards the inside to help uncast the horse.

Foreleg Forward

Stretch: Foreleg Forward

After stretching hoof to chestnut, gently bring the hoof down and out in front of the horse so that you are pulling the leg forward.  Don't ever pull farther than the horse will allow, but a flexible horse should be able to stretch their front legs out almost perpendicular to the ground. This will particularly help loosen up the shoulder area as well.  Hold for 20 - 30 seconds and then gently put the horse's leg back down on the ground.