Range of motion exercises for your horse's hind legs will also help alert you to excessive tension in your horse's hind legs and back. If you do these exercises regularly, it will help to loosen the tension in his hind legs and back muscles. This will increase your horse's range of motion.

This will help your horse to have longer strides and improve his ability to use his hind end for power and balance. This is really good for dressage horses who need to be engaged in their hindquarters. But it is beneficial for all horses to be looser in their back muscles and use their hind end more comfortably.

These exercises will also help with balance, standing for the farrier and trailering.








***IMPORTANT***

Safety first!!! If your horse kicks, keep yourself safe at all times. You may even want to skip these exercises until you feel it is safe.

***IMPORTANT***


Performing hind leg range of motion exercises is very similar to the front leg exercises.

Position yourself facing the hindquarters. Be sure to check your body mechanics. Straight back, bent knees, use your legs and pelvis for motion, support yourself by putting your elbow on your knee, etc.....read the front leg instructions again. if needed.

Some horses may be very restricted and may only be able to do small circles at first. Horses who are asked for a lot of collection may have this problem. Horses with sore backs or arthritis may also be very limited. This is OK. It is where you have to start. Do NOT try to move the horse any farther than he is able.

If you stick with these exercises, your horse's muscles will begin to relax and his movements will become larger. Do not be impatient. If the horse struggles or is resistant, give the leg a little "Shake". If he needs a break, give him one. Some horses will have a hard time at first simply due to lack of balance.

Hold the leg with both hands placed to support the section of the leg you are working with. Pull the leg slightly forward and attempt to do 3 circles in each direction. Then pull it slightly backward and do 3 circles in each direction.

Now rotate the ankle in both directions. End with a gentle, but firm pull on the hoof to provide traction to the ankle.

Finish by placing the toe on the ground as you did for the front legs. Do not remove your hands right away or your horse will probably put his foot back down.

Again, do NOT get into a fight with your horse. If he is not able to do 3 circles, that is fine. Keep them small at first and work up to larger circles over the course of multiple sessions.

And, finally Range of Motion Exercises for the Horse's Tail.