Flexibility refers to the ability of muscles and connective tissues to stretch passively. It involves the lengthening of muscles and connective tissues, allowing for greater range of motion around a joint. Flexibility is primarily about the elasticity and extensibility of tissues.
Mobility encompasses both flexibility and the ability to actively move a joint through its full range of motion. It involves not only the lengthening of muscles but also the strength and control needed to move and use those joints effectively. Muscle mobility is about active movement capability, the functional range of motion and the ability to perform movements with proper alignment and control.
Horses need mobility over flexibility because mobility can enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. Good mobility also promotes better posture, balance, coordination, and even how they interact with the ground, all of which contribute to athletic success, overall wellness and career longevity.
Horses are born with a genetic predisposition for a certain level of potential mobility. It’s often breed related as different breeds of horses have been bred for different body types with different fascial traits that are suited for different sports. This genetically influences their natural tendencies towards mobility. For example, many TBs (though certainly not all) tend towards stiffer, tighter fascia. They have been bred and often even trained to have pingy, pogo-stick like gaits, and a stiff, still torso. They often need to work on their full-body mobility and strength through their full range of motion to keep them in their most functional form.
At the other end of the spectrum, some (though certainly not all) warmbloods have been bred for big, flashy movements but lack stability. They often benefit from training smaller, more correct strengthening movements that carefully build core strength and tissue stability, so that they can use their impressive flexibility safely and with an eye towards career longevity.*
Others horses are somewhere between these two extremes. They also need training tailored to their specific needs in order to balance their strength and flexibility and optimize their mobility. To unlock your horse’s full potential, you need to be able to assess his starting point and determine how exercise and movement training can aid in his development.
Both mobility and stability are essential for overall athletic performance and injury prevention. Different body and fascial types need different types of exercise and strength training to maintain performance and soundness, even within the same sport.
Massage with myofascial release therapy is a supremely effective musculoskeletal therapy for promoting both mobility and strength. It can support the training of a horse that tends towards tension or becomes muscle bound as well as one that needs help developing the muscle tone he needs to work safely. It’s a non-invasive, natural way to support your horse’s exercise program and will actively improve your horse’s training, exercise recovery, performance, overall wellness and career longevity. Massage is essential for maintaining optimal mobility, power and endurance.
By making mindful choices in exercise and bodywork, you can tailor a workout routine that best suits your horse, sport, and objectives.
* I’m excluding “hyper-mobile” horses from this category as these horses suffer from a congenital dysfunction where their connective tissues lack adequate strength for stability. You can’t strengthen what isn’t there, especially when the connective tissue lacks sufficient collagen. If you suspect your horse could be hyper-mobile please consult your vet.
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