Carrot stretches, or dynamic mobilization exercises, are something most horse owners are at least vaguely familiar with. Perhaps a bodyworker showed them to you at some stage, or maybe you read about it in a how-to article, or maybe you did them without knowing when you were in your trick training phase, teaching your horse how to bow. In any case, most people are aware that carrot stretches are exercises where you guide the horse's head and neck to different positions using a treat, inviting them to take their spine through a varied range of motion. They can have enormous benefits when done correctly, but can also be less than great if not executed properly. Here are some very common misconceptions about carrot stretches.

Back pain should always be investigated and addressed as soon as possible. Here are some things you can do to help the horse feel better while you wait for the horse to be seen by a professional. 

Just like us, horses carry tension in their neck and shoulders. Here is an idea to start exploring what happens if we ask the horse to let go.