AmeliaA
Well-Known Member
Has anyone one used the core conditioning bands for a horse who struggles with their posture? Especially out hacking or in hand?
Balance bands system for hacking?
- Thread starter AmeliaA
- Start date
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Yes I have for hacking ridden and in hand .
It goes without saying that you have to very confident it won’t trigger bucking whatever happens for example a huge spook if you choose to hack in something like this .
I have used the equicore system usually without the band that goes round the bum. I am cautious about using those because I think they can over strain the horses hocks .
Like all such thing they need to be used carefully and built the time gradually you need to develop an eye for watching the horses .
I like regular physio input doing this sort of thing if the horse has no muscles been working reacting to the rehab plan in the right places you are not progressing. IF places are getting too sore you are doing too much or you need to change and work why those bits are sore .
Finally there’s nothing that takes the place of you learning how your horses body works how it’s muscles work and how you can change that .
No gadget can ever ever do that .
It goes without saying that you have to very confident it won’t trigger bucking whatever happens for example a huge spook if you choose to hack in something like this .
I have used the equicore system usually without the band that goes round the bum. I am cautious about using those because I think they can over strain the horses hocks .
Like all such thing they need to be used carefully and built the time gradually you need to develop an eye for watching the horses .
I like regular physio input doing this sort of thing if the horse has no muscles been working reacting to the rehab plan in the right places you are not progressing. IF places are getting too sore you are doing too much or you need to change and work why those bits are sore .
Finally there’s nothing that takes the place of you learning how your horses body works how it’s muscles work and how you can change that .
No gadget can ever ever do that .
AmeliaA
Well-Known Member
Oh interesting - maybe I’ll give them a miss as my boy has hock arthritis. He has poor posture when left to his own devices, he’s not bad when ridden or walking but I was hoping the tummy band could just help tighten up those core muscles
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Yes defiantly have a go with one be cautious through do lots in hand first .
walk poles ,halting on slopes and walking on and leg yielding side ways over poles will all help as will cantering slowly with the poll lowered in huge circles .
many horses with hock issues adopt and hocks out for legs slightly out and forward, back down stance if this is so with yours you really should get some input from good physio with an interest in rehab plans .
walk poles ,halting on slopes and walking on and leg yielding side ways over poles will all help as will cantering slowly with the poll lowered in huge circles .
many horses with hock issues adopt and hocks out for legs slightly out and forward, back down stance if this is so with yours you really should get some input from good physio with an interest in rehab plans .
AmeliaA
Well-Known Member
yes - we have a physio coming out soon and have had advice from other body workers
I personally think his bad posture is due to being a very late starter and never being taught how to hold himself correctly. We are working on it and he holds himself surprisingly well when moving. It’s just when he deflates in his stable lol. think im definitely going to consider the belly band for when we are stuck doing a lot of in hand walks during the winter saddlesore
Well-Known Member
Yep I’ve hacked in mine with no issues 
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
The Equicore is a great piece of kit, but it's very much less is more. I wouldn't have one on a horse for more than 30 mins absolute max.
The belly band is IMHO more useful than the bum band, though I do use both.
Re his hock arthritis, how is it being managed currently? I use the Equicore on my mare with bilateral hock arthritis, but she is fairly pain free in her hocks after bilateral steroid + arthramid gel injections earlier this year.
The belly band is IMHO more useful than the bum band, though I do use both.
Re his hock arthritis, how is it being managed currently? I use the Equicore on my mare with bilateral hock arthritis, but she is fairly pain free in her hocks after bilateral steroid + arthramid gel injections earlier this year.
sbloom
Well-Known Member
Fix the straightness and the thoracic sling function first (so often implicated in hind leg issues), if the horse doesn't move well then gadgets, bands, poles, lateral work etc will usually simply strengthen the dysfunction.
AmeliaA
Well-Known Member
Just Bozmerix and pads in his hinds. It’s not severe and he only really struggles in winter and/or when under-muscled. Think I’m going to give the bands a miss though, don’t want to make anything worse and I’m not confident enough in my ability to be able to tell if it is a problem