How's he looking..pics

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Cash

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Sorry if these are getting really dull, I do a lot of them :o :rolleyes: Just like to know i'm on the right track!
In case you haven't seen any of my previous threads, he is an 8yo ex racer. He looked like this when I got him a couple of months ago:

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Since then I've worked on increasing his muscle and topline and also weight. I have many, many 'in between' photos ;) but here's this week's. Sorry photos are small, not really sure why that is!

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I'd like the topline on his neck to increase in particular, any suggestions about what I can do as well as lunging and schooling in a correct outline?

Someone on my last 'how's he looking' thread suggested strapping..How exactly do I do that?

And one of him looking cute :o :

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What a difference ! You must be proud of yourself as he's looking loads better, really lovely looking boy XX
 
I haven't seen your in-between pics but there's certainly a big difference, isn't there? He looks very good. I especially love the last one - I have a TB mare and she is so expressive and cute. I never realized how endearing their faces were before I had one.
 
MOLLYA said:
Someone on my last 'how's he looking' thread suggested strapping..How exactly do I do that?
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Strapping is basically grooming but using a bit more force behind the brush, the idea being almost banging the brush onto the horse which makes the horse expect some pressure and the muscle then contracts and so builds up to expect this 'blow.' Do not get me wrong, it's not meant to be that hard or powerful to what it may sound. Just, rather than 'tickling the horse' put some elbow grease behind putting the brush onto the horse and then doing a the brush stroke

It is hard to explain without it sounding harsh, I hope you understand what I mean?!:)

PS Your horse looks much better, filled out nicely especially between the ribs, looking good, well done :) !
 
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Strapping is actually banging a leather pad on to the muscles in the hind quarters and the neck in order to get the horse to tense his muscles. Done in a repititve rhythm, the horse learns to tense the muscle prior to each "bang", and it is this tensing that helps the muscles to develop (rather like a person doing sit ups or stomach crunches).

Not to be done on bony areas, but can be beneficial if done correctly over the hind quarters and on the lower parts of the neck away from the neck bones.
 
Maiko said:
Strapping is actually banging a leather pad on to the muscles in the hind quarters and the neck in order to get the horse to tense his muscles. Done in a repititve rhythm, the horse learns to tense the muscle prior to each "bang", and it is this tensing that helps the muscles to develop (rather like a person doing sit ups or stomach crunches).

Not to be done on bony areas, but can be beneficial if done correctly over the hind quarters and on the lower parts of the neck away from the neck bones.
Click to expand...

Thanks to those who replied RE strapping. Oo er, sounds I should get someone to show me how to do it so I do it in the right places and right action, don't want to get it wrong! Will get my RI to show me this week. Sounds interesting though. :)

Thanks to those who replied about his condition too, I am :o :D
 
baymareb said:
I have a TB mare and she is so expressive and cute. I never realized how endearing their faces were before I had one.
Click to expand...

Oh I know, my TB is a real face puller! :D He has perfected his puppy dog eyes and 'feed me please' expression to a T :D
 
When I was a groom (ee, that were a long time ago), when we were being quick we quartered horses, i.e. turned the front of the rugs back and gave a quick going over with a body brush, then put the rug back and did the back end.

Strapping was a full groom. The works. The 'strapping' part was using a body bursh in a circular, sweeping motion down the neck (sides), the shoulder the body (but not the loins/soft area at the sides between the quarters and the body), and the rump/bum. As others have said, you use quite a bit of force as the brush touches the body and then travels down in a sweeping movement; the brush is then drawn across a metal curry comb held in the other hand. When one gets into a rythem it is surprisingly soothing for both horse and groomer (also tones the arms beautifully lol). Gets a brilliant shine :D
 
MrsMozart said:
When I was a groom (ee, that were a long time ago), when we were being quick we quartered horses, i.e. turned the front of the rugs back and gave a quick going over with a body brush, then put the rug back and did the back end.

Strapping was a full groom. The works. The 'strapping' part was using a body bursh in a circular, sweeping motion down the neck (sides), the shoulder the body (but not the loins/soft area at the sides between the quarters and the body), and the rump/bum. As others have said, you use quite a bit of force as the brush touches the body and then travels down in a sweeping movement; the brush is then drawn across a metal curry comb held in the other hand. When one gets into a rythem it is surprisingly soothing for both horse and groomer (also tones the arms beautifully lol). Gets a brilliant shine :D
Click to expand...

Ahh thanks. Once you mentioned the curry comb bit I think I remember seeing them doing it in Black Beauty? :o :D
I also remember some one (Mary King I think) saying in their autobiog that it is good for muscle toning for both humans and horses lol.
 
It's one of the things I'm looking forward to having the horses at home for - just having the time to spend with them :D. We used to strap each horse for forty-five minutes to an hour :D. No wonder I was so flipping fit lol
 
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