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Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect Posted by Marijanne on 9/30/2009, 7:18 am 67.142.130.34 We rescued a horse several months back that was severly underweight. Horse is in late teens age, almost looked sway backed... high withers of course due to lack weight... Horse is now gaining nicely but I notice that although it is gaining some weight along its back, its back and neck lack muscle tone and don't seem to keep the weight on... What types of exercise can I do to help get its back up and develop the long top neck muscle as well as some over its hips? I started it on cavaletti and we do stretching for treats. <^\____~~ . . (\. . /( . . . Four things you can't recover in life ... A Stone, after it's thrown. A Word, after it's said An Occasion, after its missed and Time, after its gone  Post a Response

Re: Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect Posted by giddyupngo on 9/30/2009, 7:40 am, in reply to "Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 75.211.148.154 I know of some things for the back... easy one is scratching the underside of the belly - just uncomfortable enough that the horse pulls `away'' which actually makes him raise his back - you can see when he does it so makes it easy. Other good back excercise is backing... can do this while leading him or while riding... important to start small tho and work up - don't wanna make him too sore.... and then when he is good with backing on flat ground you can back him up a hill can be done while riding or leading him - might be good for him to work with you on the ground with him first cuz he's a rescue and that will build some more trust and help you get some quiet ground manners going on I love cats - but I can't eat a whole one  Post a Response

And the backing is Posted by pjc on 9/30/2009, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 75.18.201.180 most effective with the head low. Be alert. We need more lerts.  Post a Response

Re: Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect Posted by Rustler on 9/30/2009, 8:10 am, in reply to "Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 68.28.59.120 Lunging in a Chambon encourages the horse to lower it's head and use the back - great for building back muscles. Olympic martingale, side or draw reins will also work, but are not as subtle.  Post a Response

What is Posted by Marijanne on 9/30/2009, 8:58 am, in reply to "Re: Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 67.142.130.34 a chambon and can I use it with a halter? That is a new one for me. Is the Olympic martingale like the german one, free standing? I haven't put a bit in this mare's mouth yet... just don't want to stress her out. <^\____~~ . . (\. . /( . . . Four things you can't recover in life ... A Stone, after it's thrown. A Word, after it's said An Occasion, after its missed and Time, after its gone  Post a Response

Chambon Posted by Rustler on 9/30/2009, 10:54 am, in reply to "What is" 66.81.160.56 | Message modified by user Rustler 9/30/2009, 11:02 am is a training aid, similar to Olympic/German martingale and usually works off the bit. If your mare is used to a bit, then it won't stress her to have one. Other alternative is to use a lunging caveson, as it works like a bitless bridle, and used with side reins, will also help to improve your mare's top line. Personally, I never lunge from a halter, it doesn't teach the horse anything - unless you want it to run out of control - and can be dangerous for both handler and horse. Other think that works well, is a neck stretcher, I use either a length of thin bungie cord or surgical rubber. Goes around the poll, through the bit rings and attaches to the cinch between the front legs. Important thing to remember with any of the above, is to start loose, so the horse can become gradually accustomed and then tightened as the horse gains weight and muscle tone.  Post a Response

Lungeing with a halter Posted by Gail Ivey on 9/30/2009, 7:31 pm, in reply to "Chambon " 66.245.45.194 I work everything with just a halter - round and forward. Nothing out of control. I don't need any of that other equipment. Neither do my students. "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for." - Socrates  Post a Response

Re: Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect 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  Post a Response

I agree with this Posted by Tori on 9/30/2009, 4:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 206.53.153.86 It may be a challenge with flatlander horses. Always helpful to have a hill turnout area where you can put water at the bottom and feed at the top to help encourage more exercise. I wouldn't stick a horse in a false frame and make them move, that could have negative effects later on. A horse isn't truly using itself if it is leaning on various equipment while traveling in mindless circles. If you can start slow ponying up and down hills that would be good. loosen up your budgie smugglers  Post a Response

You may want to check the diet Posted by Sally on 9/30/2009, 11:15 am, in reply to "Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 72.171.0.146 Adding some extra protein can help. I like to target the essential amino acids that may be lacking in a predominantly grass hay diet. You may want to try Uckele's Tri-Amino product - we've had good success with building topline muscle using it, along with a good exercise program. I have some in stock here, or you can go online and order it directly from Uckele. Link: Tri Amino  Post a Response

Re: the web is a beautiful thing Posted by tackaddict on 9/30/2009, 11:43 am, in reply to "Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 66.93.78.166 I just read an article on pilates for horses on http://www.thehorse.com/  Post a Response

Re: the web is a beautiful thing Posted by equinept on 9/30/2009, 6:45 pm, in reply to "Re: the web is a beautiful thing" 76.126.88.69 Yes! - that article is about the exercises in the book I mentioned earlier - Activating your Horse's Core. Great research being done by Dr. Clayton and Dr. Stubbs in this area right now. Talked with Dr. Stubbs last year and they were seeing significant increases in muscle activation and spinal range of motion in the study horses after 6wk of this work. Granted -they were being done 5 days/wk in their study. Can't wait for the results to be published. Dr. Stubbs has been the physiotherapist for the Australian Equestrian team for many years, but we are really lucky to have her here in the U.S. now - she just moved to Michigan to work with Hilary this year. We will hopefully all be hearing much more from her soon. She is a really great lady and very well educated in the area of equine physiotherapy. She completed her PhD work in equine back pain. With her collaboration with Hilary, we are likely to see some good research based approaches to rehabbing horses used more frequently.  Post a Response

You know what? Posted by Gail Ivey on 9/30/2009, 7:38 pm, in reply to "Back, neck and hip exercises for horse coming out of neglect" 66.245.45.194 As long as you just go slow, and work with her mind, her body will build back up naturally, the way it should. As soon as we start thinking we need a specific "shape" or certain exercises to fix certain problems, we start losing focus on keeping the horse's mind with us. If we pay more attention on having that mind soft, relaxed and forward, the body will be soft, relaxed and forward, and that is always the best way to build back the physical body. My horse's issues this past year have destroyed his topline. Once he is rideable again, I have no intention of doing anything to try and "rebuild his topline." I'm just going to ride him correctly, slow and easy to start, working with his MIND, and not his "frame." I'm not worried about his physical body coming back to proper form. It will, in time. And by the time it does, he will mentally be prepared for whatever I ask him to do physically. "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for." - Socrates  Post a Response

One aspect Posted by Yve on 10/1/2009, 2:41 pm, in reply to "You know what?" 130.212.56.28 | Message modified by user Yve 10/1/2009, 4:12 pm is that he may have soundness / back issues that prevent him from using his body in a way that allows him to build muscle. If your vet oks it, have a chiro check him over. Also, you probably have already done that, but have his teeth floated. Not being able to chew properly can amongst other things mess up his back. Happiness is longing for repetition. (M. Kundera)  Post a Response

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