How to perform the Hind Quarter Reflex exercise with your horse

Описание: Hind Quarter Reflex
Tips and benefits:
• This is an ‘active’ stretch (the horse has to take part)
• This stretch is often called a ‘horse sit up’
• Apply pressure very gently, only increasing if your horse does not react to lighter pressure
• Repeat up to 5 times
• Stimulates the thoracic sling muscles (shoulder girdle)
• Stimulates the abdominal muscles
• Stimulates the Iliopsoas muscles (stabilizing muscles deep within the ‘groin’)
• Improves suppleness and flexibility of the back
• Assists in improving posture and core strength
• Creates flexion through the back, separating the spinous processed of the back
• Encourages the horse to tilt their pelvis, mobilising at the sacroiliac junction
• Great exercise for ‘cold backed’ horses
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, do not attempt if your horse is likely to kick
• 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.