Strengthening horses back

RubysGold

RubysGold

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Hi
I have a horse that hasnt been properly worked for over a year, over summer she was able to do 1 hour hacking, but winter lamed her again.

Shes having steroid injections next week to hopefully get her able to hack again

Now, she has no muscle, and is quite fat (im managing that as best I can without the workload) And so her back has dropped and is weak. Obviously I would normally work her, build up the muscle and therefore her back would get stronger. But Roo cant do that.

Is there ANYTHING at all I can do to make her lift her back/tighten her abdomen or whatever, without the physical (on the legs) work and without turning tight circles?

Any exercises would be great
 
Carrot stretches are great, they wont help with her weight but really help lift the back and make them more supple.
Walking over raised poles this can be done ridden or in hand.
 
I would recommend getting a physio out to look at her and to give you some exercises to do with her, such as those be positive has mentioned.
 
Only thing that puts me off that is last time I had physio they needed to see her move.
Lunge, trot up, turn tight circles both ways before they did anything. And she cant do that (well she can trot up but thats all)
I suppose if I explain the issue they could find a way round though.
 
There are lots...but I agree, would get Physio to show you as you will need advice on how many stretches and what to be looking for.

You can do things like belly lift, they are hard for horses initially so get physio or good chiro advice first.

Lots of examples on youtube.

as someone mentioned, stepping over poles. If very weak could you start in hand exercise or lead off another?
 
As long as the vet is happy to allow physio, most will recommend as part of rehab following treatment, the physio will need to assess but should not need to see on the lunge, mine never does unless there is reason to. She would really benefit as it will help to get the right muscles used properly again before she starts more work.
 
Ok Thanks, Ill have a look for a good local physio then :)
she'll never be able to do more then hack but I worry about her back being weak, I dont want that to cause more issues
 
It is hard to work the horse without putting strain on the legs.

Belly lifts are great, but some horses do not like it at all and it isn't nice for the horse.

Walking over poles is ideal - one each side of a large circle lifted at one end only and done from both directions is good.

Grooming - a rubber currycomb or massage brush over the back and a soft brush under the belly will help circulation and muscle build up.

Haynets or hay fed at ground level.

What causes the lameness?
 
She had scar tissue in her tendon sheaths and a bit of a rip on a tendon. She had surgery on it a year and a bit ago, and we got her going hacking again but then the winter mud set us back.

I can do walking over poles. Does that just work by making them lift their hind legs a bit more?
She has double netted haynets because shes very greedy, so I dont think I could feed her from the floor :/
 
I totally admire the way you are trying to get your horse back into work carefully. I had the same dilemmas, my mares problems were too much in the end and had to retire her (but dont let this put you off... she is 20 with 2 major conditions, one is a back problem)

I tried lots of things, the exercises, lots of walking out, long and low. Lunging but not doing circles (if that makes sense!) just gently work on end of line (you will get very fit doing this). All of it helped.

Poles do work to lift back legs. Would second the hay on floor, maybe do half and half. If your horse is in a lot then could you offer one of those toys...the ones that roll around with treats in? (cant think of name)

Are you able to turn out 24/7? that will also help.
 
My old boy looked like Roo when he came out of winter having had a couple of months off work.

Had a new physio out who was great, his back strengthening exercises that she gave me consist of carrot stretches (you can really see his stomach muscles pulling) belly lifts, bum tucks, raised poles and backing up.

Bringing him back into work has also helped and he looks a million miles better already despite only being ridden once or twice a week (gentle hacking)
 
Parker: Thanks, She does have a ball, I could dig that out (Its in the tack room somewhere) And maybe put hay on the floor, I could do with one of those hay feeder things really.
I cant turn out 24/7 because of her weight. We have a big grassy field (although once she's had her steroid injection she'll be muzzled in field so can have more time out)

I will get a physio out (do I need vet referral for that?) And Ill try raised poles. Physio can show me how to do carrot stretches and belly lifts and then we'll do that too :D
Thanks guys :)

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