Tightening girth, stretch legs?

Question

Do people still bother stretching their horses legs after they have tightened the girth? it used to be a religion when i had my horse, but i done it the other day at a r/s after i tightened the horse's girth and got some funny looks, and a comment "we don't really do that anymore" ? ?

Answer 1

my mum told me to do it wen i started riding and i still do it. i look at my friends funny when they don'tt do it lol.  

Answer 2

You are right, and should continue to do it.  I can't imagine why anyone would say they don't do it "anymore", as though new research or technology has somehow changed basic good practice. As long as girths tighten on skin, and skin can wrinkle, legs should be stretched!  

Answer 3

I still do it.

Don't worry about the funny looks. A lot of horse people just look that way permanently.  

Answer 4

  I still do it sometimes. It is not necessary to do the girth will move into position and the horse's skin will move too after the first few strides. At best it saves the horse from a slight uncomfortable feeling under the girth the first few steps. Not a big deal.

  When you see someone do it you know they came up through pony club or were taught by someone who did.

Answer 5

I still do it. Puts the girth in a better position and irons out any kinks under the girth, stopping pinching. Also it stretches the muscles, just like you stretch before you exercise. Plus my mare loves doing it, dont know why, she must like the feel of it.

Answer 6

Yes, lots of people still do that. I don't do it every time anymore since I changed my girth and the new one is much more comfortable for him, but it helps with that stiffness they get from standing around in the stable. If you find it useful then just ignore the funny looks and say "well I still do!"

Answer 7

I do it with my current horse because he seems more subject to girth galls that others, and I want to be very sure that the girth is seated well on him. He also seems to have more wrinkles in his skin behind the elbows.

I hardly ever did it with my old horse as he never had a problem with girth galls and had taught skin behind the elbows.

There is certainly no harm in doing it, so if your horse needs it then go right ahead.  

Answer 8

maybe 10 in 100 will do that. but as far as i know no horse rider does it!!

Answer 9

Yes, I do that - and it doesn't matter what works for everyone else nor what they think.  Do what works best for you.

When you put your bra on, do you adjust it so it's comfortable or just snap it on and go even if it's a little crooked?

Anyone who comments "we don't really do that anymore" proves to me they go with the pack and what's popular vs. what's good or correct.

My mare has thin TB skin - she's easily pinched - so I do this every time I tighten the girth to ensure her comfort.  She's my buddy and I afford her all consideration I can when she carry's my weight around.

Do what's right for you and your horse - not what's popular.  If what was popular always won out, we'd still be "breaking" horses violently rather than working with them and starting them correctly.

Answer 10

Yes, we do it _ the horses expect it and pick their feet up ready.

Answer 11

i do! all the time! after all the work my horse is about to do for me it deserves to be a little more comfortable! it's something my mum taught me as a kid, and ive always done it!  

Answer 12

Not that many people do it anymore no. But some people still do . I think there is at least 40% who still do it .. however don't worry about what other people think do what you believe is best for you and your horse.

stick with what u have always done  

Answer 13

My TBx has a real fine coat and her skin pinches around the girth area.  So, yes, I stretch her legs after doing up the girth.  

Imagine how sore you would get running up a hill, carrying a heavy back pack if you had a bit of skin pinched around the waist of a tight pair of jeans!

Take no notice of funny looks and/or remarks from other people.  I learned real quick, most of them are so up thier own butts, too busy worrying about whats "in" or "out"  they don't have a clue as to the real world, let alone what is best for their horses!

At the end of the day, you know your horse!  Do with him what you feel is best and ignore so called "advice"

Answer 14

I still do that. and everyone at my barn does. i believe its good for the horse. but that just me. don't let other people tell you whats right from wrong!!!!!!! I think its good, and if u do to, then do it!

Answer 15

no people dont seem to do it anymore, it doesnt do any harm really. if you want to carry on then do. doesnt matter its what you think is best  

Answer 16

I do it, because I am paranoid about my horse getting those little ''pinchies'' after I tighten his cinch because he is 3 and I dont want him to think that riding hurts him... my family does it too...I dunno, I have seen a lot of other people do it as well...like everything else in riding, everyone has their own way of doing things....

Answer 17

lol I do that even though I warm my horse up by leading her around before I tighten the girth again and she is only ridden lightly. She's 18 so I guess it's good for their joints? Well anyway as long as it doesn;t hurt them then either way should be fine.