Building a stronger racehorse with dynamic mobilization exercises
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By Kimberly Marrs
Yoga, Pilates, cross training, pre-habilitation—whatever you prefer to call it—are strength- training exercises also known as dynamic mobilisation exercises, which can greatly benefit your racehorses. You can perform these exercises on your horses to help with correcting posture, gaining strength, flexibility and core stability. All of these positive gains will help a racehorse be more balanced in his movements. Incorporating these exercises daily will of course help alleviate tensions in the body that could potentially turn into problems or pathologies down the road, while reducing the risk of repetitive use injuries.
The concept is the same as cross training in human athletic training. A horse also needs several types of exercises to help keep the body balanced and able to handle the intensity of competition, reduce performance issues and aid in the body's recovery after competition. As human athletes have known this, one size—one exercise—does not fit all. The body's systems all need to be challenged to produce an all-around balanced athlete. This logic needs to be addressed with training racehorses as well. Regular sessions of these types of exercises will result in the improvement of the horse's posture and ability to carry a rider in a balanced way. A horse with good posture will allow for optimal performance for a longer period with less exhaustion and muscle fatigue.
Muscles at work
A dynamic mobilization stretch is mostly done using a bait and are referred to sometimes as carrot stretches. While performing a stretch, certain muscles are activated so that they move, and stabilise the intervertebral joints.
Then the activated abdominal muscles help to bend and round the back. This is especially important for a racehorse unlike horses who are trained to carry a long low frame, which will help them engage their body’s core. Racehorses will tend to train with their head high and with a hollowed back. Over time, this can predispose a horse to back pain, kissing spines, lumbosacral issues—all which can then lead to compensatory issues.
If you take a series of two-year-old thoroughbred racehorses, a high proportion of them will have radiological evidence of kissing spines, and quite a lot will have associated back pain.
So joint stabilization is particularly important to help with improving performance and the prevention of injuries. Research has also shown that with regular performance of these exercises, the equine back becomes enlarged. Subsequently, this will strengthen the back muscles and enable the horse to carry the rider more efficiently with a lessening of back stress. To demonstrate this, I have a person put a 11 to 22 kg sack of feed over their shoulder. Next, I have them walk between 7 to 9 metres as they would normally walk. Then I have the person stand up straight, hold in their core (abdominals) with correct posture and walk back 7 to 9 metres. The difference is usually substantial, and the person can feel less stress on the limbs with a straighter and more balanced way of moving. Now they get why the horse's core strength is so important!
Get started on a routine
I have been doing these for some time and have seen amazing results in my horses' overall posture, toplines, reduction of back pain and suppleness in their musculature. To get started with your dynamic mobilisation routine, keep in mind that performing these exercises are safe. Do take care though: If your horse has a musculoskeletal or neurological issue, clear it with the vet first before starting dynamic mobilisation exercises. Also keep in mind that many of these exercises are also utilised in rehabilitation from injuries.
When implementing these exercises, ensure the horse follows the bait in a nice smooth manner, and get the horse to hold the stretch. This can sometimes be easier said than done. Some horses will try to snatch and then snap their head back forward. So be patient; there is a learning curve with each individual horse. The more you perform these moves, the better you’ll get, and the smoother the stretches will become.
Basic daily routine
On a daily basis, I perform the following six exercises, and my horses love it! There are certainly more exercises you can add into this series if you choose, and they can definitely be tailored to an individual horse’s needs.
1. Neck to Tail stretch
Neck stretch: I get the chin to follow the carrot to the back of the horse's flank. I try to get the horse to hold 10 seconds, and I will repeat this three times.
Lateral side bend: With the chin bowing around my body, I lead the carrot towards the back leg. I get the horse to hold the stretch for 10 seconds and repeat two to three times. (Note: Repeat these stretches on both sides of the horse.)
Chin between front legs: I use the carrot to bring the horse’s chin down between its front legs and hold the stretch for 10 seconds; I will do that two to three times.
Neck extension stretches: I will get the horse to stretch out its neck and hold for 10 to 15 seconds, or even longer.
Belly lifts: I also perform belly lifts while grooming at least 2 times for 15 to 25 seconds daily.
Butt tuck: I run both hands along the top of the tailhead and scratch to get the horse to tuck its butt under and bow the back to open the spinous processes, elongating the back and hind-end muscles. I will try to get the horse to hold the tuck for 10 to 15 seconds and will repeat.
2. Lateral Side Bend stretch
3. Under the leg neck stretches
4. Neck extension stretch
5. Belly lift
6. Butt Tuck
As you regularly implement dynamic mobilization exercises in your routine, you will achieve a more flexible, stronger horse while helping aid in reducing a lot of common issues we encounter while training. When done properly, these exercises will help keep them sound and able to perform to the best of their abilities so that they can have longer careers, on and off the racetrack!
