Every good athlete knows the benefits of an effective regular stretching routine. But what about your performance horse? Horses are athletes, too, and according to new research, they need that stretching just as much as their human counterparts do.

Proper stretching can increase flexibility and range of motion (ROM), relieve certain kinds of joint and muscle pain, improve performance, and help prevent injuries, according to Ava Frick, DVM, CAC, veterinary medical director at the Animal Fitness Center in Union, Mo., and author of the study.

Muscles and connective tissue naturally tend to stiffen if they are overused or underused, Frick said. "Stiffness can result in injury, lead to inactivity, and eventually speed up the aging process of the musculoskeletal system. To remain supple, the connective tissue and muscles need regular stretching."

Stretching also provides a pain-relieving effect, which might be due to an increased pain threshold or simply because the muscle becomes stronger. Through a regular stretching program, muscles become stronger and thus able to absorb more energy, which also reduces injury. "The more energy muscle can absorb, the more resistant the muscle is to injury," Frick said