Stretches Part 3

After stretching the front legs, it's important to stretch the back legs. These exercises seem to be the hardest for Walker. I don't know if its a matter of him not being flexible back there or if he simply doesn't trust what I'm asking him to do!

Step 3: Back Legs

Stretch: Back Leg Back

Take a hold of the back leg and gently stretch it straight back and down diagonally. Be careful not to drop the foot. Hold for 20-30 seconds.

Stretch: Hoof to Hock

Move the leg forward so that the hoof touches the other leg's hock. Hold for 20-30 seconds.

Stretch: Queen's Wave

Put yourself in a sitting position with your back up against the belly of the horse. Taking the back leg, hook it over one of your own like it was sitting on your knee. The clinician called this one the when's wave because once you hook the leg over your own, your hands are free (so she did the queen's wave). Hold for 20-30 seconds.

Stretch: Back Leg Forward

Finally, take the back leg and stretch it forward and down diagonally. Don't force the horse's leg, but a horse should be able to stretch their back leg to reach their front legs. After all, a horse can scratch his ears with their back legs!

Walker and I share the same level of flexibility: zilch