Stretching is often recommended as part of a horse's management, conditioning and rehabilitation programme, but one question I am asked time and time again is:
"Should I stretch my horse before or after exercise?"
The short answer is after, at least when we're talking about passive limb stretches.
Passive stretching and dynamic mobilisation exercises are often confused, yet they have very different purposes. In this article, I'll explain what passive stretching is, why I generally recommend performing it after exercise, how to do it safely and what the current evidence tells us.
What Are Passive Limb Stretches for Horses?
Passive limb stretches involve the handler or therapist gently moving the horse's limb through its available range of motion while the horse remains relaxed and does not actively contribute to the movement.
Unlike dynamic mobilisation exercises, where the horse actively moves its own body, passive stretching relies on an external force to move the limb. It is commonly incorporated into rehabilitation programmes, maintenance physiotherapy and post-exercise recovery.
When performed correctly, passive stretching may help maintain joint range of motion, preserve muscle and soft tissue flexibility, reduce stiffness and improve overall comfort. It also provides valuable clinical information, allowing a veterinary physiotherapist to identify restrictions, asymmetries or areas of discomfort during an assessment.
Why I Generally Recommend Passive Stretching After Exercise
For most healthy horses, passive limb stretches are best performed after exercise, massage or heat, once the muscles and surrounding soft tissues have been warmed through.
As the horse exercises, blood flow to the muscles increases, tissue temperature rises and connective tissues become more pliable. Movement also improves synovial fluid circulation within the joints, helping them move more freely. Together, these changes mean the muscles and surrounding soft tissues are generally more receptive to stretching than when the horse is cold.
Before exercise, the priority is to prepare the horse for movement by gradually increasing muscle activity, coordination and joint motion. For this reason, an active warm-up and dynamic mobilisation exercises are generally more appropriate than passive stretching before work.
Passive stretching is therefore better suited to the post-exercise period, when the body has already been prepared for movement and the tissues are more comfortable to lengthen.
How to Perform Passive Limb Stretches on Your Horse
Passive stretching should always be slow, controlled and comfortable for the horse. Ensure your horse is standing square on a level, non-slip surface before beginning. A balanced stance helps the horse remain comfortable and relaxed throughout the stretch.
The limb should be moved gradually until a gentle stretch is felt before holding the position. The stretch should never be forced, bounced or taken beyond the horse's comfortable range of motion. Throughout the stretch, the horse should remain relaxed, and the limb should always be returned slowly to the ground.
If your horse braces against the movement, pulls the limb away or appears uncomfortable, the stretch should be stopped and reassessed rather than pushed further. Stretching should never be painful.
Top Tips for Passive Stretching
Passive stretching should be comfortable for both you and your horse. Good technique not only makes stretching more effective but also helps keep both horse and handler safe.
Look after your own posture. Stand with a wide, stable base of support, similar to a lunging position, keeping your back straight and your knees slightly bent. Where appropriate, rest your elbow on your knee to help support the weight of the limb rather than relying on your arms or back. Not only does it save your back, the horse will feel more relaxed and confident in the stretch, if you are strong and positioned well.
Take your time. When you pick up the limb, allow your horse a few moments to relax before asking for the stretch. Rushing straight into the movement often encourages the horse to brace or pull away.
If your horse pulls the limb away, don't fight them. Gently return the limb, allow the horse to relax, then try again, take your time and use a slightly smaller range of motion. Gradually increase the stretch as your horse becomes more comfortable rather than forcing the movement.
Warm the tissues first. Passive stretching is generally best performed after exercise, massage or the application of heat, once the muscles and surrounding soft tissues are warm. Stretching cold tissues is less effective and may increase the risk of injury.
How Long Should Each Stretch Be Held?
I generally recommend aiming to hold each passive stretch for approximately 10–15 seconds. This provides sufficient time for the tissues to relax while maintaining the horse's comfort.
Some authors have suggested holding passive stretches for a minimum of around 7 seconds to allow activation of the Golgi tendon organs (GTOs), sensory receptors within the tendon that may contribute to reflex muscle relaxation. However, the exact role and timing of this mechanism in horses remains uncertain, and much of this understanding has been extrapolated from human physiology.
How Often Should You Stretch Your Horse?
Like many areas of equine rehabilitation, there is no single programme that suits every horse.
The ideal frequency depends on factors such as age, workload, discipline, previous injuries and the horse's individual needs. A horse recovering from injury, for example, may require a different programme from a healthy competition horse.
For many horses, incorporating passive stretching into their routine around three to four times per week is likely to be sufficient. More frequent stretching is not necessarily more beneficial, and allowing tissues time to adapt between sessions is an important part of any conditioning programme.
When Should Passive Stretching Be Avoided?
Passive stretching is not appropriate for every horse.
If your horse has an acute injury, significant swelling, active inflammation, an undiagnosed lameness or any condition where movement has been restricted by your veterinarian, stretching should only be performed following appropriate veterinary advice.
Similarly, stretching should never be forced if the horse consistently resists or shows signs of pain. Resistance is valuable information and should prompt further assessment rather than greater force.
Research Spotlight: What Does the Evidence Say?
One of the few studies investigating passive stretching in horses compared stretching programmes performed three times per week with those performed six times per week over an eight-week period. Interestingly, horses stretched three times weekly demonstrated more favourable improvements in some measures of joint range of motion than those stretched six times weekly, suggesting that more stretching is not necessarily better and that allowing tissues time to adapt between sessions may be beneficial.
Key Take Home Points
Passive limb stretches and dynamic mobilisation exercises have different roles within a horse's exercise and rehabilitation programme. While dynamic mobilisation exercises are well suited to preparing the horse for movement, passive stretching is generally most appropriate after exercise, when the muscles and surrounding soft tissues are warm and more receptive to stretching.
For many horses, a gentle, controlled stretch held for around 10–15 seconds, performed three to four times per week, is likely to be sufficient. As with any rehabilitation technique, stretching programmes should always be tailored to the individual horse, taking into account their age, workload, discipline and any underlying conditions.
When performed correctly, passive stretching can be a valuable addition to your horse's management, helping to maintain flexibility, support comfort and promote long-term musculoskeletal health. If you are unsure which stretches are appropriate for your horse or they are returning from injury, seek advice from a qualified veterinary physiotherapist.
References
Rose RJ, Taylor PM, et al. (2009) ‘Effects of a stretching regime on stride length and range of motion in horse’. - (PDF) Effects of a stretching regime on stride length and range of motion in equine trot
If you would like tailored advice on stretching your horse, book a horse physiotherapy assessment in Abu Dhabi.