Building up muscle

[Kaz]

Hello everyone,

For the past 2 weeks I havn't ridden my horse and have only ridden the horses at college who are all muscular and well developed if not a bit on the podgy side.
Well yesterday I rode my horse after 2 weeks and wonderered where the horse had gone! I never noticed before how underdeveloped her neck and shoulders etc.. were!! She felt, dare i say it awfull!! I felt enormous on her, she is 15.3hh and I am only about 5'5"! She is about 8/9 years old and for the past few months has'nt been ridden regularly (only at weekends if it isn't raining).

I was just wondering if anyone has any useful exercises I could use to build up her muscles? I have not got a a school so they would have to be suitable for a hack.

Sorry for the rambling post
Thanks
Karen

[Gracie]

Once in a magizine I read if you ask your horse to back up then ask to trot forward then ask it to back up and canter forward that builds up their back leg muscles & possibly the horses tush!!
I'm not postive though! Good luck!

[fionahogg]

Just concentrate on sending him forward and working him up to the bridle. Does he work in an outline? If yes then just keep him forwards and the muscle will come back. If not then don't worry too much about it but just make sure he's active and forward. If he used to use the muscles (which he must have done for them to wither away when not used) then when he's working in the same way he did before the break then they'll build up again. If he's supple enough then try some lateral work out on your hacks (you can do this on a straight line but try to use a corner to create bend). Remember he shouldn't have great big muscles under the neck - if he does then he'll probably be tense and hollow in the back.

Hope this helps and go steady with him as he may find it quite hard to start with.

Fiona

[Libby]

To build up one of my horses I trot him up hills.
This builds a great arse on the horse and if you have him working on the bit then the neck should get as much.

[alexa]

This can come out expensive I have just had to buy a new saddle because of the muscle build-up.