Building up hollow withers?!

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Shantor1

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Had my large horse's saddle checked (Bates caprilli GP) and had noticed for a while he's lost muscle tone in the area of his withers. As a large horse he has high withers. I understand why he has as the saddler said saddle was pinching him behind the point bars. Can only do limited flocking and gave me a prolite which has made a difference.

Saddler has suggested to work him long and low, probably trotting pole work to get him working his muscles. With a various schooling programme hopefully this will be the answer. I reckon long term I may have to get him a new saddle as we've adjusted the gullet to a medium width - he's too wide for narrow and not wide enough for wider one. Saddler advised that even if I got him a new saddle, we'll still have problems fitting it. Believes if I can develop his muscles the saddle should fit as it is meant to.

Has anyone experienced this with their tall/large horses? What sort of work programme did you do to build up hollow withers? I'm limited in that I don't hack him as we're on a main road and he's too unpredictable in traffic. Guess I'll have to box him to off road riding and do hillwork with him.
 
Just read the link re the chambon. Makes sense to encourage the horse to stretch down and forward which in turn creates the natural drive to go forward and stretch. May see if my friend has one I can try.
 
I have been using it for the last 10 years on various horses and it gives quite amazing results. Hope your big boy will benefit too
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I would second the advice here. I think diet is very important to build muscle. As he's such a large horse if he isn't getting enough feed/supplement to build muscle all the exercise you're doing will just make him nice and lean and fit. Blue Chip is a great idea, but it may be worthwhile kick starting him with a Muscle Up style product, something like this
http://www.trm-ireland.com/products/english/muscle-up.htm
 
Yes I agree, so think I'll ring my horse feed helpline for advice as I may not be giving him the right type of feed/enough protein etc. He has adlib haylage but maybe lacking something. Will keep in mind the Muscle Up.

Thanks
 
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