Underdeveloped gaskin (seond thigh)

[showqa]

Evaluating my horse's physique, this is certainly his weak spot - puny gaskins compared to the rest of his body.

How much improvement can be made in this area? He's 8, been very slow to mature.

Until a week ago we lived in North Wales and so of course did a lot of hill work but we're now in Portugal for three months where the terrain is a lot flatter (although I have found one hill!)

Interested to read your thoughts and thanks.

 

[showqa]

Noone have any thoughts??

 

[Sukistokes2]

Hi,
Prob too technical a question at ten o'Clock on a Friday

 

[showqa]

Oh right yeah!!!

 

[be positive]

As no one else has commented, I will I think it is probably more a conformation issue rather than actual weakness, some horses develop a strong gaskin with little help, they are well developed and strong even when the horse is unfit or still maturing. The showing world, often not popular now days, likes to see a young horse that shows a good second thigh.
I would think that your horse will continue to strengthen and he should get stronger in this area as he generally gets fitter, I am not sure of any specific exercises but possibly raised poles could help generate more use of the muscle.

 

[showqa]

Thanks for that BP.

 

[Paris1]

I git told by excellent instructor my pony needed to strenthwn his gaskins and gave me exercises to do so, including slow trotting almost piaffing.