05/26/2026
Belly lifts (AKA thoracic sling activations) should be an important part of your horse’s weekly routine.
As an equine bodyworker, I’m often asked how to do these exercises correctly and what to look for.
Here’s some tips:
👉 Try “zippering” your hands together under the ribcage. Start one hand on each side and meet in the middle while gently scratching with your fingertips. This is a sensitive area, so be gentle!
👉 Look for a slight lift in your horse’s withers and a slight drop of the head to counter balance (as shown in this video). The movement doesn’t have to be big!
👉 Aim to hold the lift for 5-6 seconds. If they can’t do that at the beginning, work your way up to it!
👉 Let your horse fully relax back into its natural posture in between lifts.
There are so many benefits to these exercises, but my top two are: helping your horse maintain a good posture and mobility as they age and aiding hind end engagement during riding.