Now you've seen him, any suggestions on what i can do to build muscle

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FrankieBoy

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As You can see from the pics i just posted, I have a skinny muscleless horse!
The vet has stuck us on a 10 week lunging plan. Im not allowed to use any 'equipment' for the first two weeks. Just literally lunge in walk & trot from a headcoller. Then I move on to introducing five mins using a chambon after ten mins without in the third week, and build up as so on. Untill week ten, where i can sit on him for ten mins after lunging.
This is all suposed to help strengthen his back end up, and Im sure it will. I just wondered if there is anything else ridden or non ridden I could try which may help to build the muscle up?

Any ideas?
Tarr.
 
Lunging is so good for building up muscles, I only lunge on a headcoller, I don't use any gadgets, I just tweak the lunge like I would the reins and Poutu drops her head and works well. Trotting poles are good for them to drop their head and work over their backs. Thats all I do to build up muscle. Its a patience game I'm afraid.
 
Yeah. It just takes so long
frown.gif
 
My warmblood has got quite a big bum (sorry ' well muscled'), which I can only attribute to hill work (live in the Peak District so unavoidable). i wouldn't say yours looks underweight, just needs a bit more muscle, it'll come!
 
Im in Essex - We're Pretty much Hill-less. =[
There's a few though, I might take him out in hand so we can plod up a few. I'd never really thought about going out for a walk untill now!
Thanks!
 
He certainly looks like he needs some building up and the lunging will help, however he doesn't look that weak - I've seen worse!! So my advice would be to get on and start hacking him. If you gradually build up walking on the roads, hills or not, it will help to strengthen his legs and build muscle.

Oh and I'd never lunge on a headcollar, I always lunge off a sliphead with bit as you have no control on a headcollar.
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I have to agree - he really isn't that skinny - lacking muscle yes, but that will only come with correct work... I'd say get on and get on with it! Lunging is great but too much of it can cause all sorts of problems mental (it can get boring) and physical. get on board and start hacking - nothoing too taxing to begin with - just walking for two to three weeks, building up the time, then introduce some trotting and so on. Be sensible and good muscle will come with time...
 
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