HANDS ON EQUINE CARE
BY
DON MOORE D.C.
drdonmoore@yhoo.com
949-295-4263
Pre-Ride/Pre-Event Stretches
1
Carrot
Stretches
a.
Side to Side. Stretch head/neck
pass midline
b.
Up and Down. Reaching as high as
you can go. Then between their leg for
a bow.
2. Fetlock
Release
a.
Support Sesamoid bones and bring
the hoof through a full range of motion.
3.
Cannon
Rotations
a.
With your elbow locked into
theirs, lift the hoof to 90 degrees and
rotate counter clockwise 3times.
b.
With elbow still into theirs
rotate cannon clockwise 3 times
4.
Front
Leg Stretches
a.
Pull front leg forward.
Supporting under horses “knee”.
Allow 12
to 15 seconds for the horse to truly
“give” you their leg.
b.
Rotated leg counters clockwise.
Watch the scapula movement up
on the
whithers. Remember to use your legs, no
matter what let
the
horse win if they pull away.
c.
Rotate leg clockwise; Watch the
scapula movement up on the whithers.
Remember her too let the horse win if
they pull away.
d.
Pull front leg back; it simulates
“Running”. Hold for 12 to 15 seconds.
5.
Hind
Legs
a.
Rear Fetlocks. There is a
suspensory ligament that supports
the
hoof. So extend the leg down and let the
hoof drop and
support
sesamoid bones and bring the hoof
through a full
range of
motion.
b.
Extend leg back and let it relax;
remember to use your legs;
No
matter what let the horse win if they
pull back.
c.
Pull the leg forward; stretching
the hind side of the horses back
Leg.
Remember to use your legs; no matter
what let the horse win
If they
pull back.
6. Tail
Pull
a.
Only twice a month
7.
Belly scratches to arch the back
up. Please be careful for kicking legs.
Some
horses are irritated by this
stretch/scratch.
