Working Your Horse Long and Low - Stretching

So often when we are riding, relaxation for both ourselves and our horse is one of the goals for the ride.  This being so, you may have tried working him long and low, whether it be during warming up or cooling off.  However, you may also have noticed that asking your horse to work long and low can be pretty hit and miss...  He might get faster and faster as he becomes really unbalanced and begins falling onto his forehand...

Working your horse long and low involves stretching and elongating his topline, from the tail to the poll.  

It helps to build his topline, strengthening the 'suspension' muscles underneath you and also, create more longitudinal suppleness, which will benefit your horse greatly while being ridden.

So often when riding we think of suppleness as bending and flexing from left to right and while this is true, this is lateral suppleness.  

Working your horse long and low helps with his elasticity and flexibility from tail to poll, along his back, which is essential to his correct development.

When riding your horse in a long and low frame, you will feel his hindquarters swinging underneath you.  This is due to the muscles in his back becoming more supple and loosening up.  This can only happen when your horse relaxes enough through his back, allowing the energy to flow and connect.  This results in your horse developing an increased range of flexion and movement in his joints, which will allow for a bigger, more flowing, step or stride, and a more sound horse.

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Additional Resources to Help with This Topic

• • • • Connection; The Online Membership for Equestrians
      • The Returning to Riding Program – Getting the Basics on Autopilot in Your Riding
      • Equestrian Fitness Challenge
      • Join the free Strides for Success Online Community