Advice on buidling up a neck

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Bessieboo

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Hi everyone

Question pretty much as title says. I have a lovely 11 year old cob mare whom when I bought her about 18 months ago was a little underweight, no topline, no bum etc.

Over the last year I have worked hard on building up her topline and she now has a nice peachy bum but what i really need to do now is get her neck built up.

Has anyone got any advice or tips on this please. I am currently thinking of lunging her twice a week and of course schooling but as I am relatively new to this would appreciate an thoughts or ideas.

Choccie biccis to all who reply :)
 
Lots of circles, serpentines and lateral work should all make a big dif - need to make sure she is soft through her neck when working so that she is using herself properly and not blocking, working nicely forwards too - not slopping along. Don't feel restricted to the school either, you can get lots of serpentines and lateral work in while on a hack!
 
I'm having the same problem with my boy, atm he is on a supplement called Tip Top Condition and it helps build topline and makes there coat nice and shiny.

I lunge him on a pessoa twice a week to let him work long and low so he uses the correct muscles in his neck and throughout his back without a rider interfering.

As GG said lateral work really helps, leg yeielding, shoulder in and turn on the forehand etc. Good luck hope it works :)
 
Feeding hay from the floor rather than from a haynet helps as well. When they eat from a haynet they are building up the wrong muscles (underside of the neck) all the time, so working against what you are trying to achieve
 
I bought an equi ami as my boy really resisted the pessoa, side reins, bungees, anything really....but seems to work very well with the equi ami and seems to be doing the trick...that and lush srping/summer grass has seemed to help to build his neck up so far....and i agree with the feeding off the floor thing... :)
 
Feed from a hanging manger (or swivel manger set in the wall). The curve of the neck as they reach into the manger for their hard feed will help develop the muscle at the base of the neck.
 
Transitions, transitions and more transitions! All ridden from the leg and seat, will make a big difference to the top line of the neck.
 
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