Stretching vs Strengthening - What does your horse really need?

Aiyana Everest
Jul 18
3 min read

When your horse feels a bit tight, stiff, or “just not quite right,” it is natural to reach for a proactive solution. Cue the two most popular go-tos: stretching and strengthening. But which one does your horse actually need? Can you do both? And how do you know where to start?

Let’s break it down - because while both are powerful tools, they serve very different purposes.

Stretching: Loosen Up, Not Fix Up

We all love a good stretch. You’ve probably seen your horse do a glorious “carrot stretch” or that big downward dog move when they come out of the stable. Stretching feels good—it promotes circulation, helps reduce muscular tension, and encourages relaxation.

When stretching helps:

Your horse is a little tight post-work
You're working on improving suppleness or range of motion
As part of a warm-up or cool-down routine
Post-treatment (with your practitioner’s guidance)

But here’s the catch… stretching doesn’t strengthen. It doesn’t “fix” muscular imbalances or improve posture. In fact, if a muscle is weak and overworking to compensate, stretching it repeatedly might actually make things worse. Imagine asking a tired rubber band to stretch even more; it might snap, or just keep flopping around.

Strengthening: Stability is Key

While stretching looks the part, strengthening is where the magic really happens, especially when it comes to long-term soundness and performance. Horses (just like us) need strong, coordinated muscles to support their posture, balance, and workload.

When strengthening is key:

Your horse struggles with straightness or balance
You’re rehabbing from injury or surgery
There's a noticeable weakness in the topline or hind end
You’re preparing for a step-up in training or competition

Strengthening exercises target the core, the postural muscles, and the smaller stabilising muscles that keep your horse sound, symmetrical, and moving efficiently. Think poles, hills, transitions, raised walks, slow lateral work - all with thoughtful repetition and progression.

So… Stretch or Strengthen? Here’s the Truth:

You need both. But not equally. The right balance depends on your horse—its age, discipline, injury history, training level, and natural posture.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

If your horse...	Focus on...
Is stiff but strong	Stretching and mobility work
Is weak, wobbly, or compensating	Strengthening (with a plan!)
Has just come back into work	Gradual strengthening with gentle stretching
Feels 'tight' but improves with warm-up	Postural strengthening and targeted release work
Is young or in light work	Body awareness, poles, transitions, mini-stretches

Where Osteopathy Comes In

As an osteopath and biomechanics coach, I don’t just look at what your horse is doing, I look at why. A thorough assessment helps determine whether your horse is tight from overuse, weak from compensation, or just needs some extra support in specific areas.

From there, we create a bespoke plan combining manual therapy, movement strategies, and rider input - because your position in the saddle affects everything, too!

Rider on a chestnut horse in an outdoor arena, observed by a person in a green jacket. Trees and a wooden fence in the background. — Biomechanics coaching session.

Final Thoughts (and a Pep Talk)

Stretching and strengthening aren't opposing forces—they’re teammates. The goal isn't just to make your horse feel better, but to help them move better, perform better, and stay sounder for longer.

So next time you're tempted to stretch it out, take a moment to ask: Is this horse tight... or is this horse tired? And if you're unsure - I'm here to help you figure it out.

Let’s keep your horse strong, supple, and absolutely smashing it - together.