improving topline

[floppy]

Anyone got any suggestions on how to improve the topline??

I was informed by eljas breeder that she has a good muscle buildage and everythign but the topline needs imrpoving...help!

[cvb]

The best way to build topline is always for them to be going in a good outline (whether short or long) as much of the time as possible.

So then its about ways to encourage this. Not so good on Icies as I know its all slightly different for them, but - pole work, especially over slightly raised poles, will help encourage engagement of hind quarters, rounding and lifting of back, working through the back. etc

Also - do you lunge ? If so how ? I use a bungee rein on occassions to help ask for the 'correct' outline (but not short - more long and low). You then need to make sure you are asking for active movement and not letting them on the forehand.

Feed from the ground.

Finally - I think there are some lifts and stretches that help - best source seems to be TTeam ?

[floppy]

thanks cvb

have thought about pole work but have to make some..we just built a lunging pen in one of the fields and i must admidt not to have lunged elja much in the past due to the ground in the old yard always being boggy and she slipped over once and i was always worried about it happening again.

Have started again though 2 x a week to lunge..at the moment i just lunge her in her head collar on the the lunge for a bout 10mins and then free lunging for a further 5-10 mins. She isnt very good with lunging but is improving very quickly.

hard feed she always get from the ground....and theres a littl ebit of grass on the winter field so she's permanelty ''grazing''

[kelsey]

cvb - what is a bungee rein? Does it go between the front legs to the girth?

My trainer calls it a draw rein (which involves all her students in some hot debates, as people tend to confuse it with the "other" type of draw reins).

[cvb]

"Bungee rein" for me is like an elastic version of a chambon. It is a long piece of adjustable elastic that goes over horse's poll, through bit rings either side, then either to either side or through legs to girth (depending on what you want to achieve).

The adjustment is witha toggle at the top between the ears. It encourages a long low outline but has "give" and does not just tie the horse down or in.

You can rig up a webbing rein the same way (draw rein) - but it has less give in it and tends to flap about somewhat, not slide through the bit rings etc etc Also most of the webbing reins are made long enough to use as draw reins ie to the riders hands, so you'd have a LOT of adjustment to do to get it short enough.

Bungee reins are not that expensive either.

[Bozzy]

Edward suffered from colic not so long ago and had lost a lot of weight and condition when I got him. He has piled the weight back on but has lost all topline and I am finding it very hard to bukild it back up.

The chiropractor that came out to see him last week also suggested slightly raised trotting poles but I am the same as you floppy, most poles we did have have rotted to nothing so I have none.

I lunge him on the pessoa for 10 minutes on each rein a few times a week as well as riding on other days and when out hacking I always try to keep him in an outline and carrying himself correctly.

Are there any more suggestions?