Building muscle at the base of the neck? (also in NL)

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vikkiandmonica

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Hi all, I recently had a lesson, and my instructor told me that Wings needed to build muscle in the base of his neck (where his neck joins his shoulders). He said that Wings is fairly unstable in the contact, and can wibble his head and neck around a bit, but we've been given some exercises to help him keep straight. Obviously, as he builds more muscle at the base of his neck, he will find it easier to be consistant in the contact. He also thinks that this will help stop him rushing into fences, as atm in canter, he doesn't have the muscle at the base of his neck to come back to me, so hollows out through his back and runs off

So, has anyone got any suggestions as to how to build muscle here? I am working him in a slightly deeper outline than normal (normally work fairly long and low, but now we think he should be in a slightly shorter outline), which will hopefully help build up his muscle, and also, when he is in a deeper outline, the contact is more elastic and steady. Does anyone have any other suggestions? (btw, we have no hills where I live and he has a fairly good topline, so not sure it's necessarily that he is undermuscled elsewhere).

Also, his stomach muscles need improving slightly, just a little to make him more trim, although these do not need improving drastically, I know this will help to make a more consistant outline too.

Thanks to anyone that has any suggestions :D

PS: will try and get some photos of him both being ridden and a couple of him just standing there so you can see what sort of condition he is in
 
You are right about working him deeper, so he is stretching that part of his neck forward. You need to make sure he is still working forward and is engaged whilst working like that too, as otherwise it won't have any benefit!

Doing a lot of lateral work, so shoulder fore, leg yield etc working in this outline, will also help him engage, lift his stomach and therefore build his topline. I have also found lunging with Drawreins over their back, between their front legs and clipped to the bit helps this area hugely (Kerilli has done a post on it, as Bossanove before that, if you want to do a search :) )
 
I agree with the above, you could also try lunging in a chambon, you can add side reins if you require a rounder activity. Feeding form the floor is great.
 
Thanks for the advice.

KatB, will do more lateral work, thanks for the idea. I also use the draw reins technique whenever I lunge him, and am very aware that he is stepping through when working deep so that he isn't just trotting along on the forehand.

Thistle and mik, he's out 24/7 atm, so constantly eating from the floor, and also gets any hay/hard feet fed from the floor too. When he comes to live in, all haylage is put on the floor.

mik, thanks for the advice about the side reins, I don't use them often (use draw reins more), but will definitely take this into consideration when I next lunge him :)
 
Another thing to check is your saddle fit. If there is the remotest chance of tree point pressure or tightness behind the withers which restricts the movement of the scapula, it will have an effect on his muscle development.

The first thing you notice within a couple of weeks of changing a horse from treed to treeless is the development of the neck muscles (don't panic I'm not going evangelical on you;)) because the shoulder has been freed up.
 
Yeah, old saddle just been replaced with a new one, and the change in him was amazing, unbelievably free in his movements and softer through his jaw and neck. Hopefully this saddle will allow him to build the muscle over his back and neck, as the saddle really does allow him to move freely :D
 
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