Strengthening hind end exercises

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sam72431

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As above really need some training tips and schooling exercises to build up hind end she tends to pick a hind leg to be lazy with luckily this seems to change but want some tips on building back end up! Currently right hind is lazy resulting in for first time struggling for correct lead in canter on the left once warmed up this came back as normal but not had this problem at all. She is 7 years old fairly balanced on both reins but baby habits tends to be lazy but responsive once pushed on

Tia
 
Lots of transitions both within and out of paces, raised poles, leg yielding in/out of circle and travers. Lots of hill work would also help to build hind strength overall.

I would also get her looked over by a Physio/sports massage therapist to get their opinion incase the weakness in one hind leg is related to a weakness somewhere else in the body. Depending on the severity of the issues you're seeing it might ask be worth a quick once over by the vet to rule out anything more sinister.
 
Hill work- insist the horse walks.

Walk and trot over 6" raised poles.

I second rec for vet workup on the "lazy" right hind. Sometimes it's lazy, but sometimes it's a sore stifle or SI or something. I'm not too familiar with physio's, but they may be a better tool if you feel you're weak in an area (I have trouble dropping weight into my left hip because of an injury to periodically I get myself a workup when my horse gets crooked behind too!)
 
Agree with the above, especially raised poles.

Also, I sometimes use a very stretchy bandage around their bums, it just makes them aware of their hind end a bit more - it really helps, if I lunge I always use a bandage in this way :)
 
Shoulder in, the KING of isolating hind leg exercises, allows you to work each hind leg separately.

Edited to add: Done correctly, of course!
 
Thanks everyone she is probably due a physio session but weak hind seems to fluctuate between left and right hind and being only seven just needs building up. My instructor has said he doesn't think it's anything major just a kind of laziness with her but will get her checked
 
Walk down the long side, flex slightly to the outside and then push the bum round to do a quite large, sweeping turn on the forhand until you've changed direction, then back up the long side and repeat so you're just going up and down the long side. Once you've done it in walk a few times do the turn then ask for trot and trot a few strides before back to walk and turn. This seems to help my pony push from behind a bit more. :)
 
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