How do I reduce the "tanking-off" muscle?!

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bex1984

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I'd like some ideas to help reduce my ponio's tanking-off muscle. I've forgotten what it's proper name is, but it's the big one under his neck, seen here bracing itself for cantering through a puddle as fast as possible, in order to give the rider a good soaking
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http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/bexboo1984/100_1281v2.jpg

It had reduced a bit, as i've been trying to keep his haynets low so it's not getting stronger everytime he eats! However, his stable door at the new yard is quite high and I can see the damn muscle in use when he looks over the door
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Fortunately he's not using it against me as much as he used to, but I'd really rather it didn't get any bigger!!
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Is there anything i can do to reduce it??
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I know what you mean! My Welshie is built like that too...thre is no stopping that neck at all! Can you feed his hay off the floor or in a tub at all...I know it is difficult because he is on the preverbial diet so may eat too much! It is not helped by the fact that these cobby types are fairly short coupled up front so naturally have big and deep set necks...I have gone with the flow on my horse and would rather get rid of the slight crest and belly!!!
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Lots of stretching over the top line, working in a long low outline and perseverance at working in a calm frame of mind.

I have a coloured native (think black and white Dales pony) who had one of these muscle from charging around everywhere with her head in the air.
 
Humph. Only problem is if you get rid of that muscle they perfect the art of putting head between knees to tank off!!

The joys of cobs and natives!
 
Can he eat from the ground rather than from a haynet?

Does he get his feed from the ground rather than from a manger or a door bucket?

Have you tried working him long and low so that he stretches over his back rather than sticking his head up.

...and yes Daisy has one of these muscles as well, not for when ridden but known in our household as the "rhino neck" for when you are leading her and she spies a tasty bit of grass
 
Murphy doesn't know what an outline is, and i don't know how to teach him!! Any advice on how to get him into a long low outline?

Feed is always from a bucket on the floor. Am not allowed to feed hay from the floor, it has to be in a rack/net. I could put it in a big tub, but he'll eat it too fast, it has to be in small holed nets to slow him down!!
 
lunging is a sore subject between me and Murphy. He's fine on one rein, and a horrendous little monster on the other - he turns in constantly and gallops off!! Would side reins stop him turning in at all?
 
Yes You have more control but make sure they are level. Just try n see if it works for you. Make sure he is always working forwards and into the contact and don't put them on too tight.
 
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