10 winter stretches: Activate the hindquarter muscles

By Amanda Sutton

Seasonal guides

14 December 2009 11:26

Short winter days can make it difficult to ride, but here are simple ground work exercises to help maintain your horse’s fitness and mobility through the winter months.

To exercise the muscles in the hindquarters:

- Stand the horse square. Position yourself to the side and lift his back leg a few inches.

- Grasp the tail and gently bring it towards you. Go very slowly and only a few inches. Hold and release. The rhythm is one-twohold; two-one release. Repeat three times.

- Next, slowly pick up the same leg and circle the foot in a clockwise direction with the hock flexed. Then do this the opposite way. It should take ten seconds to complete each circle. 

- Watch the other leg doesn’t buckle. If this happens, put the foot down and let him rest.

- Repeat on the other side. Repeat three times clockwise and anti-clockwise.