building up hind quaters

[selina25]

Hi all could you please give me some advise for building up my horses hind quaters I have an idea but would like to hear everyones advise/experience.

He has been off work for three week, the grass has vanished and we are moving to pastures new tommorow. The vet said his weight is fine (tbx) but he would not like to see him lose anymore weight or put much more on. (though winter is coming/in my mind) so he is moving to good grass so I dont think I will change my feeding regime.

To build up I have been to do hill work, now does anyone know whether it is better to walk up or trot up hill and is it better to ride or walk with him.

thanks all

 

[Oaksflight]

Depends how unfit he is. I would do a mixture of both. Make sure you have a good contact and outline when going up the hills though, develops topline too.

 

[selina25]

We he is fit enough to hack out and did a 2 1/2 hour walk/trot hack last week but I dont think I would risk jumping yet

thanks for advise

 

[flyingfeet]

If you really want to build up the hind quarters downhill is better than uphill.

When you can canter down a steep hill your horse has to be balanced and collected, whereas they are on the forehand going uphill.

Brisk walk up and down hills is the best place to start until his is fitter, then starting troting downhill and progress from there. The results on their bottoms from this is amazing.

Walking up hills is harder work than troting for a horse as stretches and uses more muscles.

 

[Peanot]

Also trotting poles and raised trotting poles helps build up their back end. And strapping.

 

[AmyMay]

Most definately strapping. 100 bashes on each side a day works a treat.

 

[Kelly1982]

What is strapping?? I may have asked this before

 

[K9Wendy]

oh to be young LOL....

 

[flyingfeet]

Oh fashioned term for a cross between extreme grooming and massage.

Traditionally done with a leather pad.

 

[beaconhorse]

Please don't forget feed, I know what you said. BUt you cannot expect to build muscle without correct feed. Baileys stud balancer or similar is excellent

Otherwise it won't matter how much exercise you do, muscle will not build without it