How to perform the Hip Mobilisation exercise with your horse

Hip Mobilisation
Tips and benefits:
• Encourage your horse to relax their leg into your hand
• Make circular motions with the entire leg, around 10 in each direction
• Keep the movement quite small to begin, increasing the size of the circle if you can
• Work on the exercise regularly and work to improve the range of motion slowly over time
• Small relaxed movements are more beneficial then larger tense movements
• Stimulates the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the hip joint
• Mobilises the hip joint
• Stimulates the production of synovial fluid in the joint
• Helps maintain mobility and reduce levels of stiffness
Before trying this exercise:
• Please only perform stretches and mobilisations with your horse when they are warm (after exercise or after a 10 minute brisk walk)
• Always perform the exercises in a safe environment on an even surface with good footing, do not attempt if your horse is likely to kick
• Never force the horse beyond their comfortable range of motion (ROM), stay within your horse’s current capabilities and work to increase this over time
• Repeat the exercise evenly on both sides
• Be mindful of your own posture when mobilising your horse to prevent straining your back
• If your horse has any of the following conditions you should not attempt this technique with your horse and if you haven’t already done so please contact your vet:
(Discharge/Mucous from the eyes or nose, Laboured Respiration, A wound that is less than 7 days old, Colic, Cushings, Laminitis, A Neural Disease e.g Tetanus, Neuralgia, An Infectious Disease e.g Strangles, Equine influenza, Herpes, Pneumonia)
• If you horse has a previous tendon or ligament injury or has arthritis please check with your vet or therapist that this exercise is suitable for your horse.
If you have enjoyed this video please visit my website for more exercises to try with your horse www.jessicalimpkin.co.uk/equine-massage-homework