Building muscle behind shoulder blade

[Achinghips]

Big lad is half Shire and designed for pulling. He is also very long in the back. Saddle fitter has suggested he needs to build up muscle behind shoulder and has suggested saddle was contributing - now fixed. He works beautifully from behind. She has shown me how to scratch a pressure point a hands width away from base of tail on each side to lift belly and arch back up and has also suggested carrot stretches. Riding in a collection is challenging for him at present, apart from in small bursts - any futher ideas about what exercises are best for progression and the frequency of an exercise programme for this? Thanks in advance.

 

[be positive]

If he works well and correctly from behind he should be able to work long and low, this should get him lifting his back, enable him to use his shoulders and the muscles should build up in the right places. Get him really stretching and swinging along, making sure he stays straight, balanced and in a good rhythm.

Plenty of hill work, pole work to encourage stretching down and also picking his feet up evenly, I would avoid asking him to collect too much as this can create tension and wrong muscles to develop.

If the saddle was restricting his movement now it is sorted the muscles should start to develop fairly quickly, dont forget to get it checked again before it gets too tight as he builds up.

 

[Goldenstar]

Hill work definatly we work up and down the bank of an old quarry ( very old long grassed over) we walk no jogging allowed and keep our wieght off their backs the head needs to be in a lower forward and down postion .
Long riening over raised poles different hieghts different distances some raised both sides some one only in a real jumble in walk only ( got this one from the physio ) helps with the back and also with the horse learning better perception of eye to foot coordination .

 

[Achinghips]

Thanks for suggestions