Guest Blog post # 22: "Streeeeeetch" by Amanda Tamminga

Streeeeeeetch

In my travels through the horse world, I often encounter people who whine about one of two things in regards their horse or horses. Or occasionally they whine about both things at the same time.

Whine #1: "My horse has no topline. What can I feed him to help his topline develop? I've done EVERYTHING."
Whine #2: "My horse's back is sore! So I am going to spend GOBS of money on new, custom fit saddles, fancy pads, chiropractors, etc. But his back is STILL sore!!! Why?"

I'm gonna stop myself right here for a moment because I DO have a horse who has a chronic sore back and I HAVE recently bought a new saddle. Here's the catch....what I'm about to rant and rave about, I do actually do. My horse has a terrific topline....

Kids, don't try this (dropping the lunge line on the ground to snap a picture) at home.

....in large part because of WHAT I do. Yes, we still manage a tight back, but it could be a lot worse if I didn't....

STRETCH MY HORSE!!!!

OK. So, here's the thing I notice A LOT with the people who do one of the above two whines...they NEVER ask their horses to STRETCH DOWN. You know, stretchy trot, like in the dressage tests? I can not begin to tell you how many people I see who climb on and immediately cram their horses into a frame, AND RIDE THAT WAY THE WHOLE TIME. Occasionally, they may do a little stretch toward the end of the ride and definitely if they are schooling a test that calls for it, but RARELY do they use it to warm up, cool down, or as a reward or break after hard work.

NO WONDER YOUR HORSE HAS NO TOPLINE AND HIS BACK HURTS!!!

Ok, ok...this may be harsh, and I DO know there is more to a sore back than lack of stretching, but, come one, folks!

From the moment I started to learn how to really ride dressage, and, even more importantly, develop a young horse, I was taught the mantra "They must go down before they come up." In other words, before you should expect a horse to properly carry himself in a proper frame, using his back, and pushing from behind and into the bridle, the horse must learn to stretch down and into the bridle, lifting his back, loosening it up, and getting freer in his gaits and body.

Stretching strengthens the back, which in turn helps develop the topline (no expensive supplements needed. Just put their nose on the ground and ride there!). And a strong back encourages suppleness and looseness, which is the opposite of tension, which is often a huge culprit in a sore back (side note: strong back muscles also support the back, so when you have a horse with a legitimate skeletal issue, such as kissing spine, you can reduce pain by having a STRONG BACK). Not only that, but it relaxes a horse, calms them, and is a great way to say "Good job. Take a breather!"

So, WHY do so many people seem to not get it? WHY do so many people cram a stiff, cold, tight horse into a false frame with hollow backs? And never, ever seem to do anything about it? Why is such a simple yet VITAL exercise so often overlooked? And then why, when it is suggested when the no topline/sore back conversation comes up, is the suggestion ignored? I just don't get it!

"Alright, all ranty one," you may say. "How do YOU ride your horse then? Especially since you admit he has a sore back."

Alright. Yes. My horse has a sore back, so I ride him in a very specific way to HELP that. Warm up is the same for jumping or flat. Lots of walking followed immediately by canter (I've had several vets suggest this for both Toby and Vernon- who's back was horrible- and it DOES help. Canter is less jarring than trot, and is also the most natural gait for a thoroughbred). With Toby, we often will canter just on a loopy rein at first, though if he is being particularly devious feeling, I will ride him into the bridle and ask him to stretch. We then follow the canter work with stretchy trot work, until he is well warmed up and ready for more. He will often stretch a few times throughout a ride (including while jumping...he often ASKS to stretch during a jump school). And we will do ALL his work while stretching or at least "deep"- all three gaits, lateral work, and counter canter. And each ride is finished with MORE stretchy work followed by a walk.

We stretch a lot.

And he has a great topline.

And his back is way better than it could be.

So, next time you're tempted to get on and go "right to work" please do some stretchy work. Next time you think your horse's topline is lacking, put his nose on the ground a few minutes every ride for a few weeks and see what you get. And before you give away your first born for the latest and greatest in saddles because his back is sore, try some stretching and see if that back doesn't maybe improve a bit. Seriously, folks. STRETCH.

Because, Toby will tell you, it's hard to be this awesome without stretching first.