Topline muscle and condition tips

[Qru]

Hi all,

Due to badly fitting saddles, I have not ridden my boy for two weeks, instead I've been lunging. I'm worried however that's he's losing Topline muscle and condition but because I see him everyday it's a bit hard to tell :s

Here are pictures taken today:

What do you all think?
Are there any exercises that I can do with him that will improve his condition? Particularly his saggy horse boobs
Thanks!

 

[lonelypony]

A couple of ideas you could try with your gorgeous horsey!
See if you can find yourself a lunging aid like a Pessoa or a john Whitaker training aid. Start very loose only doing walk and maybe a little trot, it will help encourage your horse to stretch his top-line. Gradually when you can see you horsey becoming more comfortable you can move the guide lines to different positions and adjust their length. I know that there is some controversy surrounding Pessoa training aids, however when used correctly and carefully they are a brilliant way to build muscle condition and outline. I swear by mine, my horse is totally different now I exercise her in the Pessoa every morning she is so supple and light on the hands when I ride her
Alternatively (as Pessoa training aids can be expensive) you could try long lining, as the added line against your horses hindquarters will encourage him to carry himself correctly.
just a few ideas, your horse's looks in pretty brilliant condition however

 

[Qru]

A couple of ideas you could try with your gorgeous horsey!
See if you can find yourself a lunging aid like a Pessoa or a john Whitaker training aid. Start very loose only doing walk and maybe a little trot, it will help encourage your horse to stretch his top-line. Gradually when you can see you horsey becoming more comfortable you can move the guide lines to different positions and adjust their length. I know that there is some controversy surrounding Pessoa training aids, however when used correctly and carefully they are a brilliant way to build muscle condition and outline. I swear by mine, my horse is totally different now I exercise her in the Pessoa every morning she is so supple and light on the hands when I ride her
Alternatively (as Pessoa training aids can be expensive) you could try long lining, as the added line against your horses hindquarters will encourage him to carry himself correctly.
just a few ideas, your horse's looks in pretty brilliant condition however

Hiya
Thanks very much!
I have a John Whitaker training aid that I've never used so I think it's time to get it out the cupboard - if I can find it that is
Should I use it only in walk at first?

 

[EffyCorsten]

Get him swimming =) http://cornwallseahorses.com/

I would love to take my boy one day. It's amazing for improving topline, That is if they aren't scared of water of course!

He's very handsome by the way.

 

[Qru]

Get him swimming =) http://cornwallseahorses.com/

I would love to take my boy one day. It's amazing for improving topline, That is if they aren't scared of water of course!

He's very handsome by the way.

Oh my days - I'd love to take him swimming! My yard is practically on the beach, but we're on an army base and we incur a 1000€ fine if we take our horses on the beach military rules!

 

[lonelypony]

if you haven't been riding or working your horse in an outline for a while then yes stay in walk at first. Work on flexing to the left and right lots of changes of direction and transitions. Another good way to work on your horses balance is spirals in toward you and then back out these can be done n walk and then later done in trot and canter. You'll find things like this will make a world of difference when you get back to riding!

 

[Izzwizz]

Pole work - been great to build muscle on my kissing spines mare before ridden work began. 4 poles in a line, alternately raised just at one end of the pole. Then 3 poles in a fan shape on a corner of the school. Lunge over these on both reins, it works wonders, they have to lift their legs up and it makes them work really well.

 

[Qru]

Pole work - been great to build muscle on my kissing spines mare before ridden work began. 4 poles in a line, alternately raised just at one end of the pole. Then 3 poles in a fan shape on a corner of the school. Lunge over these on both reins, it works wonders, they have to lift their legs up and it makes them work really well.

Hadn't thought of pole work - silly really since we'd been doing lots of raised poles while riding before we realized the saddle wasn't fitting
Thanks for that