Got fit, got bigger

[NikKnock]

Hi, I’ve posted in intros before but because I’m only a year into renewed horse ownership I have many questions. So here’s another…
My lad when I bought him 9 months ago was in my mind a little on the small side at 15.2hh and fairly fine and short coupled for me I thought at 5’.7” and approx 9.5st and I worried a lot about being too heavy and too long in the leg; he was trippy and low in energy and I thought I’d made a mistake buying him, however 9 months down the line he no longer trips, has developed a top line (he’s ridden regularly- all sorts- and is on a balancer) and feels “strong”. My question is: is it possible that a fit horse can seem to “grow” in size? Because now he feels (and looks) like a much bigger horse and no way could I imagine needing a larger mount. This is a rhetorical question really but I’m so interested in the change in him and interested in other people’s experiences and opinions. Thanks!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think your right, they can feel bigger and yes building topline will make a huge difference!

 

[Dexter]

Mine measures 15.3hh let down and unfit, and mms short of 16.1hh fit. It's very common

 

[NikKnock]

Mine measures 15.3hh let down and unfit, and mms short of 16.1hh fit. It's very common

That's pretty amazing thanks

 

[shortstuff99]

Their shoulders and withers aren't attached but held onto the skeleton by muscles and tendons kind of like a sling. Improving the musculature will bring up the withers and make them bigger.

 

[NikKnock]

Their shoulders and withers aren't attached but held onto the skeleton by muscles and tendons kind of like a sling. Improving the musculature will bring up the withers and make them bigger.

Wow I never knew that thanks.

 

[sbloom]

Their shoulders and withers aren't attached but held onto the skeleton by muscles and tendons kind of like a sling. Improving the musculature will bring up the withers and make them bigger.

Yes this, the very basis on which we prepare horses to carry us without compromising their own bodies (they're actually ill equipped to carry weight on their backs), it's called the thoracic sling and is neglected in so many horses.

I made a post about it recently https://www.facebook.com/permalink....S32WxkaAxt8apFVuAP24mQr9Zl&id=111138454743045

 

[NikKnock]

Yes this, the very basis on which we prepare horses to carry us without compromising their own bodies (they're actually ill equipped to carry weight on their backs), it's called the thoracic sling and is neglected in so many horses.

I made a post about it recently https://www.facebook.com/permalink....S32WxkaAxt8apFVuAP24mQr9Zl&id=111138454743045

That's amazing and really interesting and useful thank you. I shall read all in link.

Yes this, the very basis on which we prepare horses to carry us without compromising their own bodies (they're actually ill equipped to carry weight on their backs), it's called the thoracic sling and is neglected in so many horses.

I made a post about it recently https://www.facebook.com/permalink....S32WxkaAxt8apFVuAP24mQr9Zl&id=111138454743045

That’s amazing and so interesting thank you. I’m not getting the speedy results illustrated in the photo collage on the FB link, particularly the 2 yr old chestnut, but I feel there is a difference between when I first tried out my horse (1st pic) where I seem to swamp him somewhat, and the 2nd pic taken recently where he seems to take up my leg so much better and carries me better, so much so that I don’t feel I’m sinking into his back and I believe he looks and feels stronger. So I have one more question…what is the “bodywork” the post talks about?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Very handsome

 

[NikKnock]

Very handsome

Why thank you! ?

 

[windand rain]

Yes all my young native ponies have been their full height on the stick by 2.5 years old but by 6 they look huge by comparison inspite of being the same height on the stick

 

[sbloom]

That's amazing and really interesting and useful thank you. I shall read all in link.

That’s amazing and so interesting thank you. I’m not getting the speedy results illustrated in the photo collage on the FB link, particularly the 2 yr old chestnut, but I feel there is a difference between when I first tried out my horse (1st pic) where I seem to swamp him somewhat, and the 2nd pic taken recently where he seems to take up my leg so much better and carries me better, so much so that I don’t feel I’m sinking into his back and I believe he looks and feels stronger. So I have one more question…what is the “bodywork” the post talks about?

Bodywork is a physical therapist for your horse - the groundwork is brilliant, but in most cases bodywork will be needed alongside to release where there are restrictions. There are lots of "modalities" - eg physios, osteopaths, equine masseurs - I tend not to recommend one particular modality but would look at who's recommended in your area, whether they work with posture in mind...if horses aren't moving in correct posture, with the TS lifted, they are more likely to have saddle fit problems (pertinent for me!) but also more likely to develop issues from "compensatory movement patterns", and those issues can include hocks, suspensories, sacroiliac and kissing spines.

Looks like you're doing really well, but it's definitely a good idea to work with a bodyworker, for both horse and rider!

 

[NikKnock]

Yes all my young native ponies have been their full height on the stick by 2.5 years old but by 6 they look huge by comparison inspite of being the same height on the stick

Really interesting thank you.

 

[NikKnock]

Bodywork is a physical therapist for your horse - the groundwork is brilliant, but in most cases bodywork will be needed alongside to release where there are restrictions. There are lots of "modalities" - eg physios, osteopaths, equine masseurs - I tend not to recommend one particular modality but would look at who's recommended in your area, whether they work with posture in mind...if horses aren't moving in correct posture, with the TS lifted, they are more likely to have saddle fit problems (pertinent for me!) but also more likely to develop issues from "compensatory movement patterns", and those issues can include hocks, suspensories, sacroiliac and kissing spines.

Looks like you're doing really well, but it's definitely a good idea to work with a bodyworker, for both horse and rider!

Great thank you, I’ll look into it…it is more “cost” of course; is there a way of learning the skills to do the massage, touch etc yourself?

 

[sbloom]

Great thank you, I’ll look into it…it is more “cost” of course; is there a way of learning the skills to do the massage, touch etc yourself?

You can learn massage for horse owners but no, these are skills that cost thousands to learn, and a lifetime of experience. It's well worth it, prevention is always cheaper than cure.

 

[NikKnock]

You can learn massage for horse owners but no, these are skills that cost thousands to learn, and a lifetime of experience. It's well worth it, prevention is always cheaper than cure.

Ok will look into it. ?thanks