Activating the hind leg

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alex_mac30

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Hi
My horse had the physio a week ago and she said my horse is a little weaker on one hind than the other, he always has been, not lame but doesn't like to use that hind leg as much.
She suggested putting 2 boots on that leg to make him use it a little more, has anyone heard of this before and does it work?
Also any suggestions for getting a horse to engage the hind legs,
Thanks
M
 
Not heard of the boot thing
I'd be doing shoulder in, on a circle, straight lines, in-hand and ridden
 
One of mine favours a hind, particularly after a nasty, long abscess issue. I use/d a lot of SI and travers / renvers to get him to use it more.
 
Ok, thanks for the ideas, I do SI and travers, will add in renvers. i have also been doing quarters out on a circle, will add SI on a circle too. He is going to love me :)
The overreach boot is an interesting idea, does it just make then notice that leg more, I cant believe its extra weight
M
 
alex_mac30 said:
Ok, thanks for the ideas, I do SI and travers, will add in renvers. i have also been doing quarters out on a circle, will add SI on a circle too. He is going to love me :)
The overreach boot is an interesting idea, does it just make then notice that leg more, I cant believe its extra weight
M[ /QUOTE]

Yes it just increases perception .
Weighting limbs can be used but you need to understand how much weight to use and where on the limb as if changes the effect you get .
You can also use tape on the muscles you are trying to get to work harder ( again to increase perception )again a physio who has done that sort of training needs to explain and show you what to do.
It's a fascinating area .
Click to expand...
 
Goldenstar said:
alex_mac30 said:
Ok, thanks for the ideas, I do SI and travers, will add in renvers. i have also been doing quarters out on a circle, will add SI on a circle too. He is going to love me :)
The overreach boot is an interesting idea, does it just make then notice that leg more, I cant believe its extra weight
M[ /QUOTE]

Yes it just increases perception .
Weighting limbs can be used but you need to understand how much weight to use and where on the limb as if changes the effect you get .
You can also use tape on the muscles you are trying to get to work harder ( again to increase perception )again a physio who has done that sort of training needs to explain and show you what to do.
It's a fascinating area .
Click to expand...

My physio added weight to one hind limb and put duct tape on quarters too! Horse looks like a complete idiot but after 3 1/2 years of owning her she started rolling out in the field whereas previosuly she didn't and she also started landing united after fences which is why the physio was called as she would land disunted most of the time previously............. I was pretty amazed to be honest!!
Click to expand...
 
Some interesting stuff, my horse is a little lazy with this right hind and used to toe drag. I think the weighted boots etc are a little complicated and need expert supervision but I will try the overreach boot on the hind leg. I'm moving to a new yard this weekend so they will think I'm mad when I start putting 2 boots on one leg :)
The problem I have with the lateral work is that he drops the right hind under, i think clasping through the pelvis (not sure if i have explain this correctly, its really very slight) so finds leg yield when the right leg is crossing easy but possibly not doing it correctly.
thanks
 
Trot/walk/trot transitions in shoulder-in, without losing the shoulder-in through the transition. Really helps to mobilise the relevant inside hind leg.
 
My trainer showed me how ground work techniques for just this. Start off by asking the horse to lift a hind leg when it is tapped with a lunge whip (from the ground) and saying "step". The horse is praised when he raises the leg in any way. Repeat a few times. You then move on to saying step and tapping leg when walking a straight line - horse should step further with that leg. Gradually build up to doing when lunging and asking for more step under and eventually when riding.I used this with my rehab boy when he was coming back from serious Si issues - he had never stepped through in his life before and this did help.
 
My physio recommended the same for my pony who is weak on one hind. He is not lame, just toe drags and doesn't always step through properly. Have to say it made no difference. We have since tried weighted boots, trotting poles, lateral work...you name it. He will use it ok in the moment, but as soon as you stop that activity he goes straight back to dragging. It is infuriating lol!
 
I haven't done the change in pace in SI for ages, its funny the things you used to use all the time and then forget, thanks for the reminder.
I know i should use poles but when your on your own its a pain to keep getting off to readjust them, i just never do it consistently, must try harder.
My horse has never reacted to the whip well, if you touch lightly tap he does nothing if you tap a little harder he lashes out rather than pick up the leg, then he does the same with the light touch. Any tips for getting him to understand I just want him to pick it up rather than lash out. He doesn't lash out at me just behind him
 
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