Exercises to straighten and build up strength in back end?

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Marv99

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Hi,

Need to work on straightening my boy up and strengthening his back end following a nasty accident which damaged his hock. The back lady suggested hill work and some pole work. As I work 9 till 5 I'm still schooling most fo the week and then hacking at the weekend. Just wondered what kind of exercises you would use in the school for this? Need to keep changing what I'm doing or my boy gets bored
 
I second the back lady's recommendation for hill work. When rehabilitating after a hock injury I would avoid school work for a couple of months to avoid putting strain on the joint with constant turning and circling. I would concentrate on building up strength by doing as much hacking in a straight line as possible. If you have no option but to school during the week then keep circles to a minimum.
 
Hill work will be good, but if you cannot do this during the week I would suggest to raise poles at one end down the straight of the arena to encorage them to lift the weaker side a little higher, making it work a little harder to make stronger... just make sure you dont over do it! xx
 
silvershadow81 said:
Hill work will be good, but if you cannot do this during the week I would suggest to raise poles at one end down the straight of the arena to encorage them to lift the weaker side a little higher, making it work a little harder to make stronger... just make sure you dont over do it! xx
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I really like the idea of lifting one side of the pole it makes perfect sense.
 
How about backing up - our physio suggested this, going up a slight gradient makes it even better, also walking over a raised pole every day (on the way to the field perhaps ?) and small circles in walk to encourage them to step under. These are all from the ground (i.e not ridden), hope these help
 
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