Hacking in an outline

[LittleWelshPony]

When trying to build topline and muscle , is it better to work the horse into an outline when hacking or long and low?

He is worked in an outline In the school and sometimes when hacking but I just wanted to know if it will help with building he muscle if I keep him in an outline or let him go ??

 

[Sukistokes2]

I would say a bit of both really. A bit of work on a hack, as it's as good a place to school a horse as a sand school and also a bit of fun, long and low relaxation. All work and no play will give you a very sour horse. That's my opionion anyhow.

 

[Goldenstar]

Both to build top line you need to influence the neck .
Just walking along loose with the head stretched out is a good thing to do but if it was all you needed to do to build top line all field kept unridden horse would look like Valegro and they don't .
The most important is the horse needs to be marching along very forward and purposeful it needs to marching out on its own no nagging legs to keep him going if he does not do this ,you need to tap the horse up with a dressage whip until it gets the idea its walking and supplying the forwardness your just using that energy as you choose .

 

[Cortez]

A little from column A, a little from column B. Horses must be allowed and encouraged to stretch whenever they are working in collection, in fact it is the coming up into an outline (hate that term) and then lowering into a stretch and back again that is part of the gymnastic effect. Muscles on the top of a horse are generated from the bottom, i.e from the legs, hindquarters and belly muscles working properly. Long and low (also hate this term!) is the stretching phase, not the working phase.

Just to add, with young and green horses you should not be doing very much walking with the horse on the bit, it should be mostly at the trot and transitions in between. Too restrictive.

 

[AmyMay]

As above, the most important thing for me is that their marching forward and working in to the contact. I rarely ask them to work in an outline, and have always had horses with good workman like top lines.

 

[Equi]

I try to work long and low but my horse sometimes gets stressy at certain points (like crossing the main road or walking past the massive livery yard near by) and his go to response is overbending so then I push him on into it. So as everyone else is saying a little of both. I go by what mood my horse is in lol

 

[SpringArising]

As above, the most important thing for me is that their marching forward and working in to the contact. I rarely ask them to work in an outline, and have always had horses with good workman like top lines.

This.

I do not like to see horses not being able to relax at any time. IMO, hacking is for their enjoyment and a time for them to unwind and have a stretch and a look around.

Especially important for stable-kept horses.

 

[LaurenBay]

Depends what mood she is in. I hacked this morning and she was beautifully behaved most of the way. She was allowed to stretch out her neck. However the last 15 mins or so she started to get a bit fidgety so she went into an outline which helps her concentrate on me. To be fair we haven't hacked on our own in months so I was pretty impressed at how calm she was. But I do generally like to let them have their head on a hack as it's a reward for all the hard work she puts in during the week in the school.

 

[milliepops]

As above, the most important thing for me is that their marching forward and working in to the contact. I rarely ask them to work in an outline, and have always had horses with good workman like top lines.

yup same here. Very rarely ask for more than polite attention and a good marching walk when we are hacking. I like them to take an interest in their surroundings Mine do plenty of schoolwork at other times so going with a long neck and relaxed frame is good cross training IMO

 

[Destario]

Bit of both. With the pony he can have his head in walk but not any faster! My mare is generally good but she's a baby and so comes back onto the aids if she's being difficult or distracted in walk. Weirdly, she's less fresh in a contactand I can put more leg on to get energy rather than speed.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I personally don't ever actively try to hack in an 'outline'. It seems to suit mine as he came to me with muscles in the wrong places & was very upside down! The last time the physio visited, they were really pleased that he's finally lost muscle were he needed to and has gained it where he should

 

[AdorableAlice]

If the back end is working the front end will be looking after itself. It is vitally important that the horse is not pushed out of its natural walk rhythm, it is the only pace that trying to make improvements to is limited and the pace that can be ruined easily. Yes they need to march along but a good walk can often feel slow and then niggling at the horse can creep in followed by a nagging hand.

A good tip passed to me was to close your eyes and listen for the true and clear 1,2,3 4 even foot falls, along with feeling the rib cage swinging evenly and just touching the inside of your calf. When they are strong and balanced they will have a naturally correct outline but they do need to have all the building blocks to get there.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If the back end is working the front end will be looking after itself. It is vitally important that the horse is not pushed out of its natural walk rhythm, it is the only pace that trying to make improvements to is limited and the pace that can be ruined easily. Yes they need to march along but a good walk can often feel slow and then niggling at the horse can creep in followed by a nagging hand.

A good tip passed to me was to close your eyes and listen for the true and clear 1,2,3 4 even foot falls, along with feeling the rib cage swinging evenly and just touching the inside of your calf. When they are strong and balanced they will have a naturally correct outline but they do need to have all the building blocks to get there.

This.
I couldn't have put it better myself, the horse should be working from the quarters, at all times and the rider should leave the mouth alone!

 

[Cortez]

This.
I couldn't have put it better myself, the horse should be working from the quarters, at all times and the rider should leave the mouth alone!

Er, no: you have to have at least some contact in order to engage the quarters (not to mention steer, stop, bend and generally be in control). Endlessly letting the horse poke along will never result in a horse able to carry itself and a rider in any useful way.

 

[twiggy2]

Long and low is an outline!
As long as they are walking out, using there back end and you contact they are in an outline.
You just alter the outline depending on training level/fitness and what muscles you want to be building and working.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Er, no: you have to have at least some contact in order to engage the quarters (not to mention steer, stop, bend and generally be in control). Endlessly letting the horse poke along will never result in a horse able to carry itself and a rider in any useful way.

No, I didn't put it very well, what I meant was, no fiddling, sawing, sponging to get the ' outline'.