THE DREADED "GIRTH STRETCH"
Why "dreaded"? Usually because the stretch is done incorrectly. Sometimes the joints are completely
locked out which makes it just about impossible to teach any other progressive moves without starting
from scratch. Body mechanics go out the door in some "girth stretch" applications leaving the person
applying the move exposed to potential injury should the horse move wrong or lean on the person. That
is then followed by a horse losing his confidence with the move. Often laypeople will watch a "expert"
who applies the move with their hands on or below the fetlock not understanding how wrong things can
go in this position or the subtle nuances the profession is monitoring to make sure things are correct.
These true experts have the natural instinct and appreciation of the horse’s comfort level. When they
are performing them correctly you’ll notice that there is still a slight bend in the joint, the limb is in
its natural direction of the limb and they are not "pulling". I've seen people with little training
attempting the move with all the problems listed above compounded by holding the hoof with their
hands very close to the ground. It makes my heart race....bye bye fingers.
Before you go any further with the steps I am about to describe, please take the time to go to
www.equinology.com, click on to "articles and download" and read (or reread) the guidelines to
stretching limbs. Here is a quick recap for the forelimb:
 Choose a quiet, flat and non slippery area to work.
 Warm up the horse first. Either hand walk him for 10 minutes, lunge, round pen, ride, or do the
stretch after the ride.
 When first learning either have some hold or loose tie, don't "hard tie"
 Always start with the "relaxation" and don't move on to the next stretch until the horse is ready.
Resume the "relaxation" whenever he resists.
 Apply the stretch slowly so the horse does not tense his muscles. Apply at least twice.
 Resume relaxation techniques if the horse tightens or resists
 Always use a support stance to protect your back. Have your arm resting where it is comfortable on
your thigh or knee.
 Always have the limb in a slightly flexed position to avoid hyperextension
 Stretch with two hands with your hands above the knee (carpus) to avoid torquing the joint.
 Try not to place your hands on the tendons
 Stretch in the natural line of movement
 Allow the horse to square up behind
 Keep the carpal joint (knee) open. Over flexing will aggravate an existing condition. My rule of
thumb is at least 90 degrees
STRETCH TIMES:
Beginning: No more than 10 seconds hold time
Intermediate: No more than 15 seconds hold time
Advanced: About 30 seconds hold time
The Stretch Support Stance (SSS)
Sounds simple enough right? It is, but pay attention to the little details. You are training the horse for
the more difficult moves lateral.
Stand next to the shoulder and face the tail end of the horse. Pick up the front leg of the horse as if
you were cleaning out the hoof. Make sure he squares up behind for all of these forelimb stretches.
Allow your outside elbow or arm to rest on your outside knee or thigh. Your outside hand should be
underneath the fetlock or pastern area. Don't rest it on the hoof or you will be bending the fetlock.
Relaxation
Always stretch a new region such as the forelimb by beginning with the
relaxation technique. From the SSS position, make small gentle circles
with the limb both directions and then backwards and forewords. Your
circles should be slow and parallel to the ground (flat) not moving up
and downwards (vertical).
If at any time the horse tenses while performing any stretches, resume
the relaxation techniques on that area. If the horse tenses you are
actually working against him since he'll tighten the very muscles you
are trying to release.
Common Errors Performing This Technique:
 Bending the carpus (knee) less than 90 degrees.
 Lack of some type of support for the bodyworker; meaning one arm or shoulder is not resting
against your body where comfortable
 Deviating the limb outward placing torque on the joints
 Gripping the tendon
 Holding toe creating a bend in the fetlock
 Horse is not somewhat squared up behind
Smoothing the Girth Area
If you intention is to smooth the skin around girth or cinch, you really
don't need to stretch the limb out. Therefore there is no need to warm
up the horse first. From the SSS just reach to the olecranon (point of
elbow) and with a light hold incline hand on the elbow slightly forward
and downward. This will smooth out the skin and is easier on both you
and the horse. Here it is shown with a young horse learning the
positioning for future stretches.
The Modified Girth Stretch
You'll need to first practice raising the leg from the SSS to the pre-stretch position then stepping back
into the SSS as you step back towards the trunk.
Let your inside hand come in between the front legs, and rest your hand above the horse's knee. Stand
up straight bring up the limb as a unit as you stand up straight. Rest his knee against your inside knee.
Lean or step back slightly. Meet his resistance, take a breath and then take up the slack by taking a
step backwards. Hold the limb for the required time. Keep the stretches on the smaller side while you
train the horse to accept these. If the horse wants to put the leg down, raise the knee slightly. You'll
notice the radius and ulna (the forearm) are at least parallel to the ground.
It is important that as you come out of the stretch that you first resume the SSS. This teaches the horse
to wait.
This stretch is just as effective on the muscle from the knee (carpus) upward as the older full girth
stretch but much safer for the horse and the person applying the stretch.
Common Errors Performing This Stretch:
 Resting the horse’s leg against your outside leg instead of the
inside
 Not allowing the horse’s leg to rest against your leg
 Deviating the limb outward; therefore not following the
natural line of movement
 Interlacing your fingers
 Bodyworker bent forward placing strain on the back
 Radial bone is not parallel to the ground
 Horse is not somewhat squared up behind