Dressage riders ex to keep your horse supple?

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katiejaye

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Ok so I was really worried about Louis because he has been showing signs of being sore/uncomfortable recently now that we've upped the anti with him and he is doing more lateral exercises and collection. He actually copes with the collection ex well because of his conformation (very short coupled) but was finding half pass and any sideways movements to the left a little hard and was starting to object (lots of bucks and faces!). I was worried that he may be finding it harder these days because he is coming on 15
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and maybe feeling a little less athletic?

Well the back lady came yesterday and the long term prognosis was that it shouldn't affect his work or way of going and that it was common for horses once they are asked to do more athletic work to get a little stiff. She said that his pelvis was slightly rotated and he had some soreness/tightness in his, what she called "jumpers bump", the high point on his rump
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She said some massage/polework/gridwork would help to keep him loose.

So my Q is has anyone experienced similar problems and can anyone suggest anything to keep him supple in the longterm...exercises, supplements etc. Thanks
 
linseed oil is fab for keeping the joints supple, i buy mine from 'simple systems' and its called 'instant linseed' you just feed a cup full a day as it is. Its cheap and works a lot better on Bloss than cortaflex does. I saw a huge difference within one week of using it. When she was on the cortaflex i couldnt really see it was working which is why i changed it.

Raised trotting poles are good for getting them swinging through/over thier backs. Do you use a pessoa? As mine get lunged once a week in theirs and they also do their pole work in them and it makes them work properly, but also lets them relax along thier 'topline'.
 
Thanks I will def try instant linseed, he definately needs something to keep him a little more supple in his later years!

Yup I lunge Louis once a week in a Passoa or a degogue and I find them both great for getting him to relax and stretch over his back. I will definately start adding pole work into his lungeing sessions though as that seems like a great idea. Thanks
 
Hi!

I use a magnetic rug if my boy is stiff or very cold, this helps to supple up the back muscles before you ride.

I do lots and lots of stretching ex's and make sure the horse is properly warmed up before beginning anything. I even walk the horse for 10 mins before lunging to help them warm up.

I made my magnetic rug rather than buying it - much cheaper!!
 
Just normal oil from tescos does exactely the same and is cheaper. lol
DOl also has Devils Claw,
So her feed consists of Winergy, Tyeguard, oil, DC, salt and on occaisions Sepia.
And at nearly 21 is coming out and working with canter pirras, all her changes, half passes etc and on occaision even Passage and a little bit of Piaffe, I think the secret to certainly keepinh her supple is to keep working with the movements. If i were to ever just tootle around the school, this would be when she would then stiffen up.
She does however have an easier life and regually has her back etc done.
I would say keep playing on him, invest in some oil, and perhaps a joint supplement, and keep going the way you are, but make sure he is properly warmed up before you start any major work, and also work him down. Try varying (SP) with his outline, and tempo within movements, differ the bend in your work espec the lateral, so if u are half passin, move the bend change the shoulders and uv made it a leg yield and then go back again!
Good luck.
Edited because i didnt read the ost properly!
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P_G - I'll ahve a look at the linseed stuff cos I thought it was just for a healthy coat.

A really good supplement for joints is one with pure glucosamin in it - I buy mine from the vets - New Mkt Joint supplement. Really helps me. I also use Cortaflex.
 
i cant afford the new market suppliment!! way out of my price range!!

The linseed is fab, google 'simple systems' and you can order it online from them.

Bloss looks brilliant on it, and is certainly full of the joys of spring! She has bad hocks which clicked alot when warming up, but on the linseed they havent clicked once after the first week of using it!
 
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Hi!I use a magnetic rug if my boy is stiff or very cold, this helps to supple up the back muscles before you ride.!

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thanks, my YO/trainer suggested this too actually and I think he has a rug so I may ask to borrow it to see if it makes a difference. If it does I may consider investing one or a little DIY
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PG - I know I am probably stupid but where can you order it online at Simple Systems, am I not looking in the right place? Help please
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Wow you sound like you have a super-fit 21 Year old, I hope my boy is still going strong at that age
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I will definately look into the oil and devil's claw too, thanks.

From now on Louis will have his back checked regularly too, this is reallythe first time he's ever had problems but I will try and keep one step ahead of from now on.

In his work he is always warmed up and down and does a lot of bending/counter-bending. It's not so much the actual flexion in his body that seems to be the problem but rather more the flexibility in his hind legs i.e. his ability to reach and cross over without collapsing into the movement a bit and then having a paddy! Thank you for the advice I will certainly continue flexing and changing the bend as you suggested
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You should bear in mind as well that as your horse gets older, he may be feeling the cold more - Do you put stable wraps or bandages on at night ?? I did with my 5 yr old and he was much happier.
 
Really interesting replies everyone
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Katie - I have similar problems with Finn, esp in lateral work. He too is short coupled and so finds collection easier.

I can't believe the orange man is 15! Also that Dol is going so well at 21. Makes me feel a whole lot better about Finn's advancing years (we don't talk about his actual age
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)
 
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I made my magnetic rug rather than buying it - much cheaper!!

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ok I was just looking into rugs and they are indeed expensive so I wondered if something like this would work:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Magnetic-Horse-Rug...VQQcmdZViewItem

I think from what it says that you can just attach the velcro to your own rug and attach the magnets where you want them?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Really interesting replies everyone
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Katie - I have similar problems with Finn, esp in lateral work. He too is short coupled and so finds collection easier.

I can't believe the orange man is 15! Also that Dol is going so well at 21. Makes me feel a whole lot better about Finn's advancing years (we don't talk about his actual age
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)

[/ QUOTE ]

I know what you mean, I hate talking about Louis' age
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But to be honest, he 100 x's fitter than he was as a youngster and much much more focussed. He was quite a handful when he was younger and since he has matured and got more 'rational' he has become a different horse. I think some just take a very long time to mature. There is a uber-gorgeous-talented 15yr old warmblood medium/Advanced horse on my yard and only seriously started competing this year as up to know he's been impossible and difficult to ride. My YO (who competes him) says that it's sometime an older/maturer horse can go much better as they are more focussed
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So we shouldn't feel bad about our golden oldies
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Yup Lou is so much easier to collect and extend but much more work on the lateral work. My friend and I always say how we should combine our horses as hers is quite long and does a stonking half pass but can't do medium where as mine loves collected movements and mediums but has a fit in half pass
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P_G - I'll ahve a look at the linseed stuff cos I thought it was just for a healthy coat.

A really good supplement for joints is one with pure glucosamin in it - I buy mine from the vets - New Mkt Joint supplement. Really helps me. I also use Cortaflex.

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sorry but could i ask you a question about newmarket joint supplement ?
helga has just started on it (3 weeks on tuesday) how long does it last for mine is a 1.5 kg tub.
got mine from the vet and the bill for it was £68 is that cheep for if or not?
Thank you
 
[ QUOTE ]


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Magnetic-Horse-Rug...VQQcmdZViewItem

I think from what it says that you can just attach the velcro to your own rug and attach the magnets where you want them?

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I bought these a couple of years ago and yes, you sew the velcro onto your own rug. It does say that you can wash them in the machine, but I would advise against this as there are 9 (I think) small button magnets inside the pouches and when I washed them, they started sticking to each other and I had a job sticking them down with tape. I ended up getting an Armadillo rug afterwards. I originally bought the magnets due to my horse being very tetchy whilst travelling, she`d get so wound up, and so I always travel her in it, even now, and she is great to travel now, but it warms her muscles up before a competition and calms her nerves. When she has had muscular problems, I put the magnetic rug on overnight as I have the Bioflow belt for myself, and I think that it is great as I suffer with lower back pain, hip pain and sciatica.
 
OMG, I paid 85 quid for mine but I think it lasts about 4-5 months, I make sure I onyl use a flat scoop.

Katie - Yes thats the exact thing that I did, sewed the velcro pieces onto a string cooler.
 
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