dawnsuth
Member
i've been told my cob needs to build up the muscles across her back especially under her saddle. what should i be doing when schooling her? thanks
which exercise?
- Thread starter dawnsuth
- Start date
Pharphar!
Well-Known Member
Does he/she work in an outline? if not i found bungee reinds helped my very stubborn tb! they mean they fight themselves and not you so can start building up the right muscles for their topline. Its not a quick fix and does take some getting used to and you still have to work on keeping them on the bit but it just makes it easier for them to get the 'correct' head carriage. I may get shouted down about this but it has worked wonders on my lad who thiks he's a freight train! in a matter of 3 months he's built up some brilliant top line and it working more 'uphill' (was very heavy on the forehand to begin with) and we no longer use the bungee!! hope this helps! 
dawnsuth
Member
she works very well in an outline so thats not helping under saddle ???
Pharphar!
Well-Known Member
Hmm, does she actually work in an outline or into an outline? (only ask cuz i've done the frmer and have had to work at the latter a lot!) i was told working on a consistent elastic contact through the bit and making sure her bum is swining and she steps underneath her. I know when my lad is doing it as i can actually feel him lift his back under the saddle. I was also told to do a lot of lengthenng and shortening of strides keeping them working into the contact in all gaits and hacking, that's all helped my boy.
Cluck
Well-Known Member
I would probably start with some lungeing with side reins (just tight enough that she can work into an outline) or double lungeing for about a month. Vary the size of the circle in trot and canter and ask for some variation in her gaits as well. This way your mare can build some muscle before you start asking her to carry you as well.
Riding I'd try 100s and 100s of transitions and half halts between gaits and within them. Every transition will engage the hind end and work those back muscle ... IF your horse is work from back to front.
If your mare has muscle wastage across the back I would be getting out a chiropractor and a massage therapist to give the horse a couple of sessions.
All the best with her
Riding I'd try 100s and 100s of transitions and half halts between gaits and within them. Every transition will engage the hind end and work those back muscle ... IF your horse is work from back to front.
If your mare has muscle wastage across the back I would be getting out a chiropractor and a massage therapist to give the horse a couple of sessions.
All the best with her