Our guide to ridden stretching

Everyone loves doing carrot stretches with their fave pony – but did you know you can help him stretch while you ride, too? It’s a super-fun challenge to try and there are loads of benefits, from helping you develop an independent seat to relaxing and suppling your pony. Here’s how you can get started!

What’s it for?

There are lots of great reasons to start stretching your pony out when you ride him – it benefits him by…

• building his suppleness
• encouraging him to lift his back and engage his core
• making him lighter in your hand
• helping him work in self-carriage because he can’t rely on your hands
• making him feel more relaxed

Not only that, but it also helps you by…

• teaching you to rely less on your hands
• improving your balance and security in the saddle
• developing an independent seat
• building your trust and bond with your pony

TOP TIP

Ride with a neckstrap when you first try stretching your pony under saddle so you can grab it – rather than the reins – if you lose balance.

How can I do it?

While lots of riders choose to stretch their pony before they start a schooling session, if your pony isn’t used to it then it’s best to have a go at the end of your ride instead, when he’s already warmed up and listening to you. 

Start off in walk…

1. Ride a 20m circle at one end of the arena, looking up and around the turn. 
2. Squeeze your pony’s sides with your legs, keeping an even contact down both reins. 
3. Relax your hips and move them with him – feeling like you’re going a little bit floppy. 
4. Very gradually let your reins out a centimetre at a time, only allowing more when he drops his head and pushes forward into the new contact. 
5. Keep squeezing him forwards and take care not to drop the reins completely – keeping a gentle contact is important. 
6. Don’t be tempted to rush – this could be really new to him, which makes it tough!

Eventually, you’ll be able to have a go in trot and canter, but master it in walk first. You might need to be patient, because stretching comes more naturally to some ponies than others, so take your time. Practising for five minutes at the end of each session will help him improve gradually – it’s a good way to cool him down, too!

TOP TIP

Your pony’s nose should be the furthest point when you ask him to stretch – he should poke his nose out as he lifts over his back and stretches down.