Ideas for exercises to improve rope walking?

[Casey76]

Hi guys, anyone have any exercise tips for improving rope walking?

My boy (n/P1) currently has a clean bill of health from his osteo/massage therapist; no special muscle stiffness or tightness in his haunches, hips or flanks. He is for all intents and purposes asymptomatic at the moment, and is working fairly hard in dressage at least three times a week, with lots of canter work on a sand surface.

However while he’s working he is constantly rope walking behind - no issues with the front legs/plaiting (in all three paces, not just walk), and he must wear brushing boots behind as he clatters his fetlocks with the hoof of the other foot.

He does stand close behind naturally, but will stand properly square when encouraged and under saddle.

I’m starting to contemplate using boots for field turnout as he is brushing while mooching around the field.

Any ideas for improving the muscles which support the movement of the hind legs?

Tia 🙂

 

[milliepops]

what does he do in the way of cross training? Have you got anyone to hack him at the moment?

just thinking of ffionwinnie's welsh D mare that was incredibly close behind but came pretty straight through a programme of walk hacking.

 

[ester]

I also thought of FW's mare but also I had to open to see what it was, never known it called that before.

 

[Casey76]

Unfortunately my sharer had to give up due to a new job (which was just typical as she got on really well with him), so he hasn’t been hacking in about 4 weeks.

He’s getting shoes on in front next week, so it will be interesting to see if that makes any overall difference.

I’m still not riding, though I hope to get the go ahead in the new year.

 

[SEL]

I also thought of FW's mare but also I had to open to see what it was, never known it called that before.

The US PSSM facebook forum introduced the phrase to me. I used it with a UK vet talking about the Appy's action after a tie-up and got a very blank look in return!

 

[Mule]

Hi guys, anyone have any exercise tips for improving rope walking?

My boy (n/P1) currently has a clean bill of health from his osteo/massage therapist; no special muscle stiffness or tightness in his haunches, hips or flanks. He is for all intents and purposes asymptomatic at the moment, and is working fairly hard in dressage at least three times a week, with lots of canter work on a sand surface.

However while he’s working he is constantly rope walking behind - no issues with the front legs/plaiting (in all three paces, not just walk), and he must wear brushing boots behind as he clatters his fetlocks with the hoof of the other foot.

He does stand close behind naturally, but will stand properly square when encouraged and under saddle.

I’m starting to contemplate using boots for field turnout as he is brushing while mooching around the field.

Any ideas for improving the muscles which support the movement of the hind legs?

Tia 🙂

I opened the thread expecting to read about you learning to walk a tightrope😳

 

[Chippers1]

just thinking of ffionwinnie's welsh D mare that was incredibly close behind but came pretty straight through a programme of walk hacking.

Is there a thread about this? Mine is quite close behind (worse in trot) so this could be interesting. He stands on the yard with his back legs crossed! (he's had physio and tack checked etc, it's just him )

 

[milliepops]

Is there a thread about this? Mine is quite close behind (worse in trot) so this could be interesting. He stands on the yard with his back legs crossed! (he's had physio and tack checked etc, it's just him )

Took a while but found it

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/project-spaghetti-legs-no-more.719132/#post-13163654

 

[Chippers1]

Took a while but found it

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/project-spaghetti-legs-no-more.719132/#post-13163654

Thank you!

 

[Cortez]

...also known as plaiting. The only thing I know that will improve horses that are very close behind is exercises that isolate and build the inner gluteal muscles, so lateral movements and especially shoulder in, also walk pirouettes (canter pirouettes too, if you are that far along).

 

[Chippers1]

We're working on shoulder in now and getting a few steps so glad to here that will help 😊

 

[SEL]

Took a while but found it

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/project-spaghetti-legs-no-more.719132/#post-13163654

Interesting that FW says her horse has likely gone over with a rider. I assumed it was PSSM leading to my mare's problems but I know she went over when being backed so perhaps there is something else. Got 2nd opinion vet out in first week Jan so I will mention it.

 

[Chippers1]

Mine went over in the field (ruptured a tendon in his hind) but he was pretty close before then too, i don't think it made it any worse.
Realised when i took some photos for my thread about saddle fitting that i got his cross-legged stance in one..


He always stands like this!