Sunday, October 24, 2010
Fantastic weekend!
What a great weekend! We had a wonderful CEGA clinic at Plumbrook Pony Farm in Norfolk, NY, yesterday—12 riders and horses, a great day of learning—for all of us!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Clinic Today!
Leaving today to do a CEGA clinic at Plumbrook Pony Farm, just outside of Potsdam, New York. Can’t wait!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Bellies and Bearclaws!
In some of my recent blogs postings, I have been discussing the importance of stretching your horse before and after a ride. It is also very wise to do this if your horse is confined to his stall, whether for a day or a week or even longer.
I have explained how to do Carrot Stretches. These are great to get your horse to stretch laterally. Today, I am going to explain how to do Belly Lifts and Bear Claws.
Remember, before starting any exercise or stretching regimen, it is best to check with your veterinarian.
The Belly Lift
Start with your horse in his stall. Standing at your horse’s side, reach under your horse’s belly, and with drag your knuckles forward from the horse’s umbilical region to just behind his front legs. He will left his belly and back as you do this. Start with a small amount of pressure, until you learn just how much pressure you need to use to get the desired lift. Work you knuckles back and forth a little, to get him to hold the lift for a few seconds. Then release. He will probably be surprised the first time you do this, and may protest, so be prepared!
The Bear Claw
Again, start with your horse in his stall. Standing near your horses rump, drag the fingernails of one of your hands down his rump, about a hand’s width to the side of his tail. Use only one hand at a time at first, so that you can be out of the way if he decides to protest vigorously. Again, use light pressure at first, until you see how much pressure he needs to respond. He should respond by tucking in his gluteus muscles and tighteneing his hindquarters, while at the same time, lifting and tightening his obliques (his belly region in back of his rib cage, along his flanks). Get him to hold it for a few seconds at first, then up to 15 seconds at a time. Hard working dressage horses and jumpers really benefit from this stretch.
Remember too that with any stretches, don’t ask your horse for as much effort before a ride or work as you would after you have worked him, when his muscles will be warmed up and more responsive.
A limber pony is a happy pony! And a happy pony is a more willing partner for you!
I have explained how to do Carrot Stretches. These are great to get your horse to stretch laterally. Today, I am going to explain how to do Belly Lifts and Bear Claws.
Remember, before starting any exercise or stretching regimen, it is best to check with your veterinarian.
The Belly Lift
Start with your horse in his stall. Standing at your horse’s side, reach under your horse’s belly, and with drag your knuckles forward from the horse’s umbilical region to just behind his front legs. He will left his belly and back as you do this. Start with a small amount of pressure, until you learn just how much pressure you need to use to get the desired lift. Work you knuckles back and forth a little, to get him to hold the lift for a few seconds. Then release. He will probably be surprised the first time you do this, and may protest, so be prepared!
The Bear Claw
Again, start with your horse in his stall. Standing near your horses rump, drag the fingernails of one of your hands down his rump, about a hand’s width to the side of his tail. Use only one hand at a time at first, so that you can be out of the way if he decides to protest vigorously. Again, use light pressure at first, until you see how much pressure he needs to respond. He should respond by tucking in his gluteus muscles and tighteneing his hindquarters, while at the same time, lifting and tightening his obliques (his belly region in back of his rib cage, along his flanks). Get him to hold it for a few seconds at first, then up to 15 seconds at a time. Hard working dressage horses and jumpers really benefit from this stretch.
Remember too that with any stretches, don’t ask your horse for as much effort before a ride or work as you would after you have worked him, when his muscles will be warmed up and more responsive.
A limber pony is a happy pony! And a happy pony is a more willing partner for you!
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