How to build up muscle on hindquarters?

[only_me]

This is merlin at mo:

as you can see, he needs more muscle on hindquarters.

But question is, how can i develop this? I havent any hills really, the only hills I have is on road hacks...

is there anyway i can build up muscle with a lack of hill work?I know it sounds stupid, but surely there is more than one way to build up muscle?

 

[Skhosu]

hills on the road! You're not going to tell me your in a non hilly area of NI?
We only have road hacks and its full of hills, which is good for them.

 

[only_me]

no, only hills i have access to are on road hacks.

I would love a nice big grass hill to trot and canter up but unfortunately dont have any

 

[Skhosu]

ah, well road hacks are fine, that's what they're for gridwork is good for it too.

 

[Hattikins]

would also love to know an answer to this as we have no hills at all! No hills at home or on hacks

Are raised trotting poles any good?

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

I think missy is going to have the same problem as merlin , Shes going the same way as merlin , Her hind quarters always tend to look weak , I know shes still only a baby but I don't think shes ever going to have that "rounded" look if you get my meaning .


Try ... Grid work like mentioned , Perhaps the gridwork you did before in your lesson ie trotting poles at the corner ? .

Hill work obviously too , We have a huge mountain right on our door step

 

[SuperHorse]

I was told by the physio that I need to build up my horse's hindquarters. She said hillwork is the best solution (luckily we are on the side of a mountain!), and polework is also good

 

[KatB]

Hill work, raised poles on the lunge in a pessoa also gets them to lift their backs and engage their bottoms

 

[BBs]

Im using the raised pole method atm as instructed by my chiro.

 

[KatB]

Yep i was recommended to me by a physio for them

does seem to do the job

 

[Taffster]

My horse was schooled 6 days a week for most of the winter, it wasnt until the last 6 weeks where he has been hacked for an hour a day in walk up hill down dale that he has established better hind quarter muscle.
So imo the best thing is walking on road hacks, dont know what you dont like it but if your horse will hack out then i would definately give it a go - the difference in 6 weeks is unbelievable he now tracks up in walk and trot where as before he was just stepping into where his front feet left the floor. He stands much squarer behind as he has developed his inner muscles too and his walk and trot are much more powerful. Just in time for winter champs next week!!!