How to perform the Poll Mobilisation with your horse

Описание: Poll Mobilisation
Tips and benefits:
• Encourage your horse to lower their head and relax
• Keep the movement quite small
• Small relaxed movements are more beneficial then larger tense movements
• Aim to get into a rhythm with your horse
• Stimulates the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the poll area including the nuchal liagament
• Mobilises the joints of the poll area (where the skull meets the first of the cervical vertebrae)
• Improves suppleness in the poll area
• Stimulates the production of synovial fluid in the joints
• This is a very relaxing mobilisation for your horse
• If your horse is not gently nodding you are using too much pressure and causing them to brace against you

Before trying this exercise:
• Please only perform stretches and mobilisations with your horse when they are warm (after exercise or after a 10 minute brisk walk)
• Always perform the exercises in a safe environment on an even surface with good footing
• Never force the horse beyond their comfortable range of motion (ROM), stay within your horse’s current capabilities and work to increase this over time
• Repeat the exercise evenly on both sides
• Be mindful of your own posture when mobilising your horse to prevent straining your back
• If your horse has any of the following conditions you should not attempt this technique with your horse and if you haven’t already done so please contact your vet:
(Discharge/Mucous from the eyes or nose, Laboured Respiration, A wound that is less than 7 days old, Colic, Cushings, Laminitis, A Neural Disease e.g Tetanus, Neuralgia, An Infectious Disease e.g Strangles, Equine influenza, Herpes, Pneumonia)
• If you horse has a previous tendon or ligament injury or has arthritis please check with your vet or therapist that this exercise is suitable for your horse.
If you have enjoyed this video please visit my website for more exercises to try with your horse www.jessicalimpkin.co.uk/equine-massage-homework