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Posted by equinept
on 9/30/2009, 10:42 am, in reply to "Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect"
76.126.88.69
Do you happen to have a sloped paddock or pasture she can be on or an area you can take her for walks on mild hills?
It's so good of you to take in a rescue and to recognize needing to go slow. I have noticed they tend to take longer to rebuild muscle than the typical 'unfit' horse so not overstressing is really important. Her muscle tissue was in a catabolic state for so long that it will take longer to come back, but not impossible.
Another set of exercises I particularly like are in a book called Activating Your Horse's Core. Are you familiar? They build on the idea giddyupngo had about belly scratches. I use them with any horse on lay up, coming back from injury or that have back pain. Very helpful!
I don't tend to like too many gadgets, as she will not have the abdominal or neck strength to properly hold the 'frame' for long and may get taxed. But if she is amenable to a syrcingle, you an try using a length of Theraband (the stretchy band you get from PTs) attached at syrcingle, draped around HQs to other side while longeing or walking. Tends to help lift the back and engage the pelvis which will in turn help the neck lower without being a forced situation since it isn't forcing a headset or round frame. Not sure if I am being clear with my description, LMK if you want more specifics.
Jen
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