Getting Back Into It...

[myhorsefaith]

Thought I'd ask here since some may not have read through the whole 'protruding back' thread.

In a couple of weeks I'm planning on slowly getting Faith back into shape, developing muscle, fitness.

Between ground work and riding time, did any of you follow a good plan to slowly build up the horse?

I'm thinking time/distance/gaits/exercises/ stretches...you know the whole kit.

I'd like to hear!!

Thanks,

Ally

[shoveltrash]

to go slowly, handwalking on hills (great exercise for the 'walker' too! :lol: )
handwalking over poles.  'give to pressure' exercises from the ground - back up, side pass/sideways movement, etc.  

work over poles/cavaletti is fanastic for building a back.
but must be started slowly if the horse is out of shape.
my favorite is walking over big logs.....gotta get my OH to lay out some old logs we have (!).  they have to really flex their hocks/stifles, so it's a good exercise.

lungeing to encourage stretching down/long & low.

a weak topline, IMHO, benefits from stretching the nuchal ligament.

dunno exactly what you are looking for?