Building topline/muscle?

Question

Does anyone have a fitness and muscle building plan for bringing a horse into work. Specifically building up topline and muscle for a horse to do showing and dressage.

Thanks

Answer 1

Lots of hill work, proper lunging [especially collected canter & jumping]... halter trainers also use treadmills to put the muscling on the back & haunches.

Answer 2

rinding

Answer 3

Whenever i get a horse who needs to build muscle i typically make sure they are getting the right diet plan

then i like to work on lunging with side reins until they are traveling balanced in all three gaits and then is an appropriate time to stop.

also when you ride keep your horse in a frame.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Steroids!

Answer 5

Working in round pen.  Asking for extended trot, lop, gallop.

If this is an older horse, then there is not much you can do.  As a horse ages, the body changes shape the same as people do when they age.

Answer 6

if you are riding dressage shouldnt your horse be in a frame to begin with? that is the best way to build their top line have them in a training level or first level frame and make sure they are engaging from behind and  pushing from their hind quaters not on their forehand. I would ride your horse up and down HILLS that will not only build up his hind end but will really help with his top line. make sure going up the hill he/ she is in a nice frame and they are being "honest" giving. hope this works

Answer 7

I agree with babygirl....the only way to build the topline is to work on impulsion and get the back and hindquarters working and rounded.  The idea of longeing with sidereins will do nothing to build the topline.  The worst thing you can do is to allow any work to be done with a hollow back....he needs to build the abdominals and haunches and strengthen the back ligaments.....ride him correctly and the hill work is also excellent.  Start out working him long and low until he builds the strength he needs to round up.