At 21:39:22 on 07.01.10, Zoe and Paddy wrote:
Hi everyone,does anybody now any excersises that develop muscle and stop the horse getting bored!?

At 23:22:47 on 07.01.10, Lilymina wrote:
Of the top of my head im not to sure.... just working on the bit making sure he is working through and with his back is good for the back muscles, circle work is supposed to be good but i cant remmeber off the top of my head. Working both diagonal correctly of the horse is key for proper muscle development (i think in the hocks once again cant exactly remember where but its true!!) So that hes not a bit "one sided" Hope that gave a little help!^^

At 12:55:29 on 09.01.10, Zoe and Paddy wrote:
Thanks i do work him in an outline but that has been helpful!

At 13:25:11 on 09.01.10, Flicka wrote:
I think variety is the key. Make sure you keep the relaxation and suppleness so you build muscles in the right places using circles, leg yielding and shoulder in. Pole work and later grid work is great but work up to the grid work gradually as it puts a lot of stress on the horses muscles .But make sure you don't just do all your work in the school. Go on lots of hacks as I think this is often a really good place to school and is more fun for the horse as well.

At 20:49:32 on 09.01.10, impacatus wrote:

I dont know how it is where you live, but here we are training alot muscels in the woods, trotting very carefully up hills.. When riding inside or on the training area you can ride over "planks".. i have no idea what its called in english, might be same as Norwegian? Cavaletti... ? You can allso do different dressage-jobs... like .. (Sjenkelvikning) witch is very important for a jumpinghorse to know, the same is with Versade, Traveer, Piruettes, Changement and the ability to put the horse together but without destroying the horses balance and elastic.... sorry for my english, those stupid norwegians :P anyways, im showing you some videos of some stuff thats is great to work on if you want to build muscels on your horse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li11UOWRW8Y (Sjenkelvikning) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meHJEvM82ek&feature=related (Versade) its in danish.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vuxw3lm9jQ this one is a video of on of our "classes" with Peter Flam, my trainer.. its not me riding. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2MOkS523Vc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91HKAoYO1Ts&feature=related training changements... (not canter-chancements), but like, canter-trot-canter... is great to! good luck! heres me and my jumping-horse (the pic) ;P

(Click here for larger view)

At 23:36:07 on 13.01.10, kibby wrote:
I'm not going to add too much because everyone has already put in most of what i do, but a big one we use is counter-canter! builds strength and balance in the canter (and in the long run helps with flying changes, win-win.) And i know a lot of people dont agree with it, but long and low work, if my horse wants to stretch her neck down as long as she is not grabbing the bit then its good and its great for muscle development through the back..

At 06:32:20 on 14.01.10, Zoe and Paddy wrote:
Thanks Everyone!X

At 11:59:28 on 08.07.10, kibby wrote:
galloping?? i have access to a large track and can do it quite comfortably..