Building Muscle when you have no hills!

[Murphs]

Can anyone suggest exercises that will build muscle on a horse when you don't have regular access to hills!

I have limited hacking at home (45mins / 1hr) and it's pretty much flat - couple of small inclines but that's it. I also have a small school 20m x 30m (max). I am not yet at the stage of loading into trailer and taking off on my own so i need to utilise what i've got at home as best i can. So if you have any ideas they would be gratefully received.

thanks

[floppy]

deep sand in the riding school helps build up muscle as its harder for the horses to move through sand than other surfaces.

gymnastic jumping

[Gracie]

I once read (I'm not sure if its true!), you ask the horse to move forward. Then stop them and ask them to back up then ask them to go forward, and back them up! I don't know if it works! OR if even makes sense!

[floppy]

regarding the gymnastic jumping you only need to use jumps that 1.5'-2' high.

[maverick927]

My and Maverick ride through long grass. That's how I build his muslces as I don't even have a school. In the winter we can only do hacking as the fields are flooded. I go to competitions when I can to keep him fit but its unlimited without a horsebox.

[chev]

Even simple schooling on the flat will build muscle. Try using poles on the ground to encourage lengthening and shortening of strides, and to bring the hindquarters well under the body. Working long and low as well as in collection for a session will stretch back and neck muscles and strengthen them. Lots of half-halts, turns on the forehand, shoulder-in, most movements like that will also encourage muscle development.

Also try the jumping, like Floppy suggested. Gridwork can be good for building strength; also encourages balance.

Use the inclines you've got to do serpentines, circles, changes of pace as these all help balance and strength too. The horse has to be strong to remain balanced and each change of pace and direction will help, however slight the incline. This way you will also only be encouraging the development of the muscles you want too!

[virtuallyhorses]

Trotting poles and small cavalatti, as already posted here, will compensate for your lack of hills. I'd be a little cautious of deep sand as this can cause tendon and ligament strains and although it is hard work it will not build the same muscles as hill work is used for - those big back and butt muscles.

[Cathy Reynolds]

I must admit all the ideas made sense but I'd avoid deep sand, too.

We are just a touch flat here! but I avoid school work with brat when too 'deep' and we take him for long hacks. We do some road work at slow trot, with loads of transitions, getting him working properly. Regular, boring, slow, repetitions is the way forward, with loads of variety - poles is great for relaxation and paying attention.

[Danae]

I must say, I'm in Florida and we have no hills to mention. I believe the highest point in Florida is oh about 2 feet *BELOW* sealevel :D. To build muscles, I do alot of walk - halt - back transitions because as someone was saying earlier, it does help build muscles and will set the horse more on his hindend because he's having to shift his forward motion weight to the back. Umm most of everything else I do is already mentioned. Good luck :D

[Murphs]

great, thanks for the suggestions- which lead me ontomy next challenge:o the mare in question does notlike poles:( she is 6 yr old idxconnemara and i've had her for 6mths. She is very reluctant to walk over poles, let alone jump. I've tried leaving the poles in the field,putting them across the entrance to the field, working in hand. I've had some success from the ground but as soon as you are on her back she refuses. I have got her across but she catleaps then point blank refuses to do it again - any ideas?

[Gracie]

Do you have anyone you could ride with and maybe follow another horse over the poles the first couple of times before she realizes it won't eat her!lol!

[Cathy Reynolds]

I definitely agree about a lead norse.

But do be patient - two years ago our Benny wouldn't even walk across a hose laid out in the yard (no water coming out), today he trotted through puddles with no arguement with my 9 year old grandson riding bareback! YOU WILL GET THERE!

[Murphs]

thks guys- yes i have another (sensible) mare that i can get my niece to ride - as soon as we get a decent spell of weather soi can work in my "schooling area" we'll give it a go - was thinking of natural obstacles to start as she may find that less offputting to start. Cathy - i will persevere, i truly believe once she's 100% trusting of me she will do whatever i ask - may be wrong but i just have that feeling with her, time will tell:)

[cvb]

not a 'home' muscle builder, but working at the beach in a small depth of water is good.

(Also in the winter here the snow is deep enough to be really good exercise and flexion etc).

[chapsi]

My horse had barely any muscle when I bought him. We did lots of lungeing on the long line (40 min. a day) and one could see his muscles building up. A supplentary daily intake of AFA (Klamath Algae) also helped.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

a lot of troting!

gymnastics

poles

loung work (i usually do 20minutes...it is hard work)

[floppy]

6mths ago my mare had null muscles and was fat. I rode her almost every day out hacking for 30mins-1hr and gave her cool mix aside and a bit of hafer to wind her up. Today she has a supermodel figure :D has developed good muscles on her back and everywhere.

lunging i rarely did because i find it boring and the lunging pen was always too muddy and slippery.

riding in the arena i only do towards compeition times.

and jumping you can forget..she will trot over poles but if you want to jump you have to put a fallen down tree in the arena.

[Murphs]

don'tneed anything to wind Kaz up! what is hafer anyway? I will be working her 5/6 days a week alternating between hacks (up to45 min) and schooling with lunging onthe days when i'm pushed for time/light. Thks for all the suggestions

[chapsi]

Hafer is the german word for Oats

[floppy]

ooops yep hafer is oats. It doesnt effect my horse like most horses. Makes her more willing :)