'Toning up' your horse

[Megibo]

What exercises would you use to improve your horse's muscle tone? My cob came to me out of condition after a winter off. She has improved slightly since I got her and started work but not much. She has a tummy (think she has had foals) but can feel her ribs now. What would you do to help tighten her abdominals and improve overall topline. Bought her an EquiAmi to lunge in once a week and will be attempting to ride more but any ideas appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[be positive]

Hill work is the best way to start building them up, to go up hill correctly, even at walk means they will have to lift and use themselves. Other things to try, work long and low, getting her to stretch down to the contact and really use herself, pole work, use raised poles in a line or on a circle to encourage the back to lift, plenty of transitions both within the pace and in and out of. Once she is fit enough and working well, good powerful cantering will finish the work for you.

It needs to be done gradually and consistently as the muscles need time to readjust, make sure the saddle fits well and get it checked regularly as she changes shape because you may find such a difference in her topline the one you start with will no longer fit, if it restricts her movement she will not be able to work correctly.

 

[VioletStripe]

Carrot stretches! -
One held between the front legs for them to get, one on each of their sides on their abdomen/stomach-y/flank area (I will assume that makes some sense... maybe I've over-complicated it ), gradually progressing backwards towards their tail as they get more flexible, and one held by the outside of each of the the fetlocks so they stretch down and across.

Pole and hill work, particularly in walk. Circles, working up into the outside rein, so try some leg yielding in and out... Most lateral work, actually! Good luck

 

[Megibo]

Thankyou
Have already started the carrot stretches Violet!