Building muscle tone and stretching

Question

My former show mare was allowed to sit in a stall for her entire life. She has had no exercise other than basic training, and no chance to stretch her legs other than at a running and flat walk. I didn't know the extent of this until she was delivered today and was allowed to run (for the first time in her life! it was wonderful) and graze. But I noticed something when she bent down to eat. Her neck is plenty long, her muscles just are not at all stretched out to go down that low to the ground. By the end of the day, she seemed incredibly sore, and I had to put her food bucket up on the mounting block to let her eat it because she just could not stretch any more. I've also noticed a good bit of inflexibility in her hindquarters. Are there any stretches that you would recommend? I used to have a book about them to help my club footed mare, but I've lost it.

I also noticed how oddly her muscles have developed. Some are incredibly underused, while others are really really strong. I'm going to be beginning her on a longe line within a few weeks, and I'm going to wait a bit until I ride her, so are there any exercises you would recommend that would help her entire body? She needs work in her legs, hindquarters and shoulder area.

Also, any feed recommendations for building fat and muscle? She needs about 25lbs on her to be at an ideal weight (though with her height, 17.1hh, it might take 50lbs) and needs to get into a generally healthy shape again.

Thanks!

Answer 1

How long have you had her?  I only ask because I'm confused if this a new problem or if she has had this problem for a while.  If so then you might need a vet to help.

Let her relax for a week to get used to everything and gain strength,  then longe her in short lessons before riding.  My horse loves being lunged and this builds their trust in you.  As far as stretching, yes there is.  Take a treat and put it in between her front legs under her chest, then guide her head to the floor (back and forth slowly will be good)  This will help her neck from being sore.  There are books on leg stretching but I'm sure you can find some on the internet.  I hope this helps!  

Answer 2

i have an incredibly stiff muscled halter horse bred WP horse. with being in a stall and everything even with regular exersize he is very stiff so we strach his fron legs out forward until he drops his knee flat..then pull it backward to strech out the chest muscles. then pull the hind leg strait forward and touch the toe to the back of the front leg(some horses are too stiff to reach this far) and then pull the back led backward but keep it pretty low(dont raise it above were the hock would be. and do this everytime you see your horse. also bit them up on the lunge line so they build downward muscles. this has helped my horse..its worth a try! :) good luck!

Answer 3

I would suggest spending ALOT of one on one time with this horse.  Put a halter and lead rope on her and take her for walks.  Let her graze while you give her strokes and brushing.  Don't push her.  The more time you spend with her. the more you will realize what she needs.  Don't ride her yet, don't push her.  You have all the time in the world.

I wouldn't even start on the lunge yet.  Just take her for walks...short at first and then longer.  Walk, walk....walk.

Answer 4

Just being out will be enough at first...she'll decide for herself how far to stretch for now.  She should not be ridden when her musculature is so imbalanced..you risk seriously injuring her.  Any stretching exercises should be taught to you by someone experienced with this kind of rehabilitation...she is like a person who had a stroke and was bedridden for a year...only it's been even longer for this horse.  Forcing anything could do more harm than good.  Our patients with contractures and joint immobility from disuse were rehabbed using hydrotherapy (water exercise), heat treatments, passive range of motion, and other combined techniques employed over weeks to even months.  Get some professional advice before you take this on.

I recommend Purina Senior Feed...it is balanced nutrition and easy to digest.

Answer 5

for nutrition call the vet or equine nutritionist to help u and do not ride her if she gets sore after a day at feild...sorry to say this but i need to tell u b4 u injure her...if u go and ride her now she WILL get a splint...this is common in youngsters first starting work too so id say give her about 2 weeks to be in the feild(not 24/7 tho) and then u can ride her and slowly get her into work but make sure her weight is all on first and she can handle being in the feild for a long time without being sore and after ONLY AFTER ann this is achieved can u ride her wen u do let her walk on a long rein as u dont want to pull her into a frame at the walk until it is taught @ the trot and canter(suspension)so just keeping her on the bit and working forward will help build muscle over time and working her on the lunge line will help too i suggest side reins with donuts too but dont make them too tight only a little contact to keep her thinking about being in a frame also i dont mean to be rude and probably wont get best answer after saying this but if u are going to embark on a challenge this big shouldnt u know this stuff already?