Muscle Health, Mobility and Stretching with ExcelEQ ProElite

Mobility and stretching play a crucial role in keeping your horse healthy and agile. Regularly incorporating stretching exercises can improve flexibility, prevent injuries, and enhance overall movement. But did you know that proper nutrition can also support these efforts? In this post, we explore the importance of stretching for mobility and how the right supplements can complement your horse’s routine for better joint health and muscle flexibility.

Incorporate Effective Warm-Up and Cool Down

Why Warm-Up is Essential to Equine Muscle Health

Warming up is essential before exercise because it prepares your horse’s muscles and tendons, improves circulation, and reduces the risk of injuries. This step is as important as the exercise itself.

Warm-Up Tips

Start with gentle stretching and gradual movements.
- The muscles are still cool prior to exercising, try focusing more on mobility exercises than deep stretches.
Focus on increasing blood flow to muscles and tendons.
Include a passive range of motion exercises in your grooming routine.

Cool Down Benefits

Helps your horse recover effectively.
Reduces muscle stiffness and joint trauma.
- Be sure to do stretches within 30 minutes of “cool down” after 30 minutes the muscles will be “cooled down” and stretches will need to be more mild.
Supports overall joint health and flexibility.

Mobility & Stretching for Equine Muscle Health

The horse should be able to move freely in all directions without tension, with or without a rider. Mobility exercises aim to improve the joints mobility while stretching improves and maintains the maximum length of the fascia and muscle fibers. Well stretched muscles have improved blood circulation so that metabolism can be optimized. Below are some simple mobility movements and stretches to implement before and after your ride to keep your horse limber!

Carrot Mobilization Exercises
- Mobilizing the Head, Poll and Neck in Longitudinal Bend
  - Ask the horse to bend its head and neck to the side so that it touches its flank with its nostrils

- Mobilizing the Head, Neck and Poll in Flexion
  - Ask the horse to flex its head and neck down to the ground

- Mobilizing the Head, Poll and Neck in Extension
  - Ask the horse to extend its head and neck out in front

- Mobilizing the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine while Lifting
  - Ask the horse to lift its back and engage its core

Stretches
- Stretching Foreleg to the Front

- Stretching Hind Limbs to the Back

- Stretching the Tail Back

How often should I stretch my horse?

For maintenance: 2-3 times a week
To increase flexibility/mobility on a weaker side: 2x a day if possible
When on stall rest: 1x a day if possible - please consult your vet regarding which stretches would benefit your horse during this time

When not to stretch your horse:

If your horse has an acute injury
If your horse has a fever
If your horse has nerve inflammation
If your horse has unclear lameness
If your horse is hyper flexible
If there is suspected thrombosis
If your horse displays ataxic or uncoordinated movements

Importance of Rest and Recovery

Rest and recovery are critical for muscle development. Ensure your horse has adequate rest, including sufficient turnout, regular rest days, and proper relaxation. Recovery time is essential to building stronger muscles and maintaining overall health.

Chiropractic Work

Equine chiropractic is a form of manual therapy that uses short lever, high velocity, low amplitude, controlled thrusts. This induces a therapeutic response via induced changes in joint structures, muscle function, and neurological reflexes. Chiropractic treatment does not replace traditional veterinary medicine; however, it can provide an additional means of diagnosis and treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal disorders.

What does equine chiropractic care treat?

Chronic musculoskeletal problems
Acute problems such as tension or stiffness
Prophylactic treatment to maintain fitness/performance
Aids in maintenance of soundness in older animals
Enhances performance ability of sport animal

Would my horse benefit from chiropractic work?

Horses with back pain often express this in their posture or in their refusal to work. A horse’s attempts to compensate for the pain by changing its posture and way of going can result in other problems such as joint problems. Below are some of the signs a horse may be in pain or experiencing alterations of the spine which can affect muscle coordination and mobility, causing decreased performance:

Abnormal posture
Snapping and pinning back its ears when being saddled
Insubordination when being ridden
Attempting to free itself by throwing its head back or up or by hollowing the back
Disobedience when jumping
Difficulties with collected or lateral gaits
Sensitivity to touch
Stiffness when bending and in its general posture
Muscular atrophy
Difficulty engaging the hindquarters
Shortened stride in one or more legs
Overall decreased range of motion in gait
Difficulty flexing the poll
Horse pulls against one rein
The back does not swing

The Role of Nutrition in Equine Muscle and Joint Health

Vitamin E as an Antioxidant

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system and normal nerve and muscle function. It plays an essential role in maintaining muscle health and improving muscle recovery after intense physical activity.

Excel ProElite: Enhanced Vitamin E Benefits

Excel ProElite offers additional Vitamin E to promote joint and tissue health, indirectly aiding muscle development. This added Vitamin E aids in quicker recovery to muscles and tissue while supporting sustained high activity levels, benefiting overall muscle health and endurance.

In summary, omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for muscle development, recovery, and endurance in horses. By reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and supporting protein synthesis, omega-3s help enhance muscle health and performance. Supplements like Excel ProElite, with its balanced omega-3 content and added Vitamin E, can further support muscle growth and faster recovery. Paired with proper exercise and nutrition, omega-3s offer a powerful solution to promote your horse’s strength and overall well-being. Always consult your veterinarian to ensure the right supplementation for your horse’s specific needs.

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