Stretching Horses Properly – Warm Up and Cool Down

A Guide on Reducing the Risk of Injuries

You certainly know how good stretching feels after a long day. And what’s good for us humans is just as good for your horse. Get the yoga mats out and let’s get started with 6 simple exercises you can do to stretch your horse either before or after exercise. Namaste!

Attention: Please be careful when doing the exercises. Pay attention to your horse and its well-being! If your horse does not feel well, please stop the exercises – the health of your four-legged friend always comes first!

Downward Horse Pose

If you’ve ever found yourself in a yoga class, you’re probably familiar with the downward dog – one of the most known poses.

Did you know that your horse can do it as well?

Gently guide your horse’s head down between his front legs until he bends over and he’s in the downward horse pose.

Die Upward Horse Pose

his stretch can also be performed the opposite way:

Stand on an elevated spot opposite to the horse’s head at eye level. Now, with the help of a treat for example, bring the horse’s head up so that its neck and throat stretch upwards.

Tree Pose

You probably already know the tree as a yoga position. To perform this pose with your horse, bend one front leg towards the belly and pay attention to your horse’s comfort level!

When you have held this position for a few seconds, put the leg back down and repeat the exercise with the other front leg.

Warrior Horse Pose

To perform the warrior horse pose with your horse, gently extend one front leg forward, hold for a few seconds and put the leg back down. Repeat the process with the other front leg!

Dancing Horse Pose

The front legs are stretched, now it’s time for the hind legs. For the dancing horse pose you lift one hind leg and carefully bring it back to stretch it. This exercise can be done with the leg bent or extended. After a few seconds, put the leg down and switch to the other hind leg.

Crow Pose

The Crow Pose works in a similar way to the previous exercise. Start again by bending one hind leg upwards, this time bringing it towards the abdomen.

Again hold for a few seconds and lay it down. Then it’s the other hind leg’s turn.

Stretching x Happie Horse App

Add stretching to your training journal in the Happie Horse app as a daily reminder. In the notes, you can also write done the stretching poses you did or paste the PNG above.