How to Stretch the Suspensory Ligament

Stretching your horse before competition helps to prevent injuries.

Manually stretching the suspensory ligament will help prevent injuries during racing or competition. The suspensory ligament extends down the entire leg from the knee to the fetlock--the area on the leg above the hoof (ankle). Each stretching technique promotes suppleness, flexibility, range of motion, elasticity, and muscle tone. Your horse may not be open to stretching and balancing at first. You should expect minimal range of motion until the you become more proficient at asking for the stretch and your horse is more emotionally willing and physically able to perform the technique.

Things You'll Need

• Halter
• Lead Line
• Clean workspace

Instructions

Suspensory Ligament Extension

1. Place a halter and lead on your horse. Lead him to your workspace.

2. Halt and secure your horse safely by attaching to cross ties or tying with a safety square knot.

3. Stand on your horse's left side, facing the chest. Be aware of your foot placement, as you do not want your horse accidentally stepping on you.

4. Bend forward, bending your knees, and grasp your horse's front left leg by holding just above the knee with your left hand and just above the hoof with your right hand.

5. Pull the front leg slowly and gently off the ground about 3 inches.

6. Hold the stretch for five seconds.

7. Bring the entire leg toward your body, extending the leg forward so it is reaching toward you. Your horse will offer just a bit of extension in the early phase of this technique. Do not expect the leg to completely extend forward. Do not force the leg forward.

8. Stop pulling forward when you feel the slightest bit of resistance. Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds.

9. Return the leg to the floor gently, allowing your horse to rest and balance for several minutes.

10. Repeat the stretch twice more for the left side.

11. Perform the stretch three times on the right side.

12. Release your hands and praise your horse vocally and with reassuring pats along the neck.

Suspensory Ligament Flexion

1. Stand on your horse's left side, facing the same direction. Be aware of your foot placement, as you do not want your horse accidentally stepping on you.

2. Bend forward, bending both of your knees. Grasp your horse's front left leg by placing your right hand just above the knee and your left hand just above the hoof.

3. Pull the front left leg slowly and gently off the ground about 3 inches.

4. Hold this stretch for five seconds.

5. Push the lower leg slightly upward by gently pressing up with your left hand. When you feel the slightest resistance, stop the motion and move to the next step.

6. Press the upper leg backward toward you slightly by gently pulling backward with your right hand. Stop the motion when you feel the slightest resistance.

7. Hold this stretch for five to 10 seconds.

8. Return the leg to the floor gently, allowing the horse to relax and balance for several minutes.

9. Repeat the stretch twice more on the left side.

10. Perform the stretch three times on the right side.

11. Release your hands and praise your horse vocally and with reassuring pats along the neck.

References

• Chino Police Mounted Posse: Hands on Equine Care
• UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: Equine