Horse Stance
 

Does anyone have experience using the horse stance as isometric stretch for the side splits? Would you consider it a prerequisite or introductory stretch?

See the link:
http://www.stadion.com/column_stretch2.html (WFS)

Why not just stretch the splits themselves?

I personally do not.

I like this side split stretch:
http://donnellytraining.blogspot.com...07/782008.html

It allows you to use gravity in your favor, unlike on the floor.

I don't really feel any stretch in my adductors with the against-the-wall splits. It's mostly in my inner hamstrings... yow!

I guess the only difference between the splits and the horse stance is the relative height of the hip.

If side splits are retardedly painful, should I work on adductor strengthening, or will isometrics suffice?

Well, stretching is eccentric damage to the muscle. So as long as you're getting some decent work (I think squatting or sprinting SHOULD be enough?) it should be fine to be honest.

Eccentric damage induces tearing of the muscles & repair through the production of more sarcomeres making the muscle itself longer and stronger..

I do horse stance everyday, it's incredibly healthy for you. It's also very challenging to be able to hold it while your hips are at knee height for an hour, which is a good goal, some people do the horse stance and other stances for 5 or 6 hours. If your goal is side splits, i'd judge that it'd be slow way to progress towards that.