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Any tips for getting my horse back in shape/on her hind end?
Hiiii. So over Labor Day my 13 year old OTTB mare got extremely sick and long story short she has been out of work completely for 5 months now, 2 of those months being exclusively on stall rest. So, obviously, she has hardly any muscle :( She has just been recently cleared to get back into work, and I've ridden her about 4 times. She feels great, but has no stamina, can't stay straight, and is refuses to go into frame. There is nothing wrong with her, she's just out of shape and needs to be worked. I was wondering if any of y'all had any tips to get her into shape as efficiently and safely as possible. I don't want to rush her but I don't want to dilly dally either. I've been working on lots of transitions and a whole lotta circles and we've only been doing walk/trot. One thing I've noticed is that she is very heavy on her forehand. How do I get her to use her hind more?
One last question, as if I haven't already written enough: I think she needs a different bit. She's currently in a copper d ring snaffle and she doesn't seem to like it. She pulls her head and is reluctant to relax her jaw. What are y'alls favorite bits to help your horse free all that up?
Thanks guys, sorry that I wrote a novel :)
4 Answers
- ?Lv 57 years agoFavorite Answer
Hello, super gorgeous horse!
The best way to get a horse back into shape is a lot of ground work! Simple lunging, working over ground poles, going through obstacles, long lining, working up and down hills etc. Horses tend to use there hind ends and stretch down more comfortably when being ground worked more than under saddle.
This method should help your mare use her hind end more and become light in the bridle : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8cOq7YWXys
The method worked wonderfully on my horse with similar issues. How I started was I just spread my hands down to my knee's and played with his mouth a little, asking him to keep tipping his nose into the inside with light softening, not bumping meaning I squeezed the reins like sponges. While doing so, I used a solid inside leg to keep pushing him to the rail so he wouldn't drift off into the middle. Out of every corner with my inside hand I did two light bumps. Every time he stretched down, I would use my leg to squeeze him forward and block with my hands meaning keep a closed hand and basically send his energy from back to front! Eventually he naturally lowered his head to the point where I could collect and ride nicely in a beautiful frame.
D rings are iffy, I prefer using a normal EggButt snaffle bit on my horse! Most recommended snaffle bit supposedly. Works beautifully on my horse. Just be careful to not bump etc. as the bit just like the D ring does have the cracking effect with the broken mouth piece. Other wise it is a good bit to consider(:
Good luck!
- 7 years ago
For condition, long slow work is best. So stick to walk and trot. Get her outside if you can. Hill work is great. Be sure to do lots of walking when steep hills are involved. Trotting or cantering downhill, if it's steep, can be hard on suspensories. You don't have to do a three hour trail ride everyday. But once a week, a nice long ride is really useful.
For her hind end, try backing up in squares or figure eights. It also helps quite a bit with frame carriage. You start by asking them to frame, then back, then stay backing on the correct line you ask for. Be careful that impulsion comes from your leg and not your hand just as in the forward gaits.
- 7 years ago
Backing up hills or backing up a step or two is very good for hind end muscles, especially strengthening stifles, start slow though because those muscles can fatigue quickly.
