Building Up Muscle for Halter...

[DixieGirl]

My mare is a pretty well built horse but she doesn't really show her muscle as much. I live in FL so we don't have hills where I can ride her. She normally gets worked 5-7 days a week for about an hour and a half at the most. I just need somes tips on how to get her to "bulk" up for halter to make her look more conditioned. Here is a picture of what she looks like now...

[crazy4horses]

Well, I guess cantering on the trails behind your house becuase the sand is fairly deep, which makes Bargain have to use her muscles more... and collecting her at the canter.

Hope this helps!

By the way- That shirt of yours in the picture looks familiar! :p

[mandyicequeen14]

If theres a safe pond to swim in thats a good work out.

[Full of Flight]

a lot of troting!!! thats builds even for Bucky lol. but it does take time

[DixieGirl]

thanks peps!

[moodymare]

Trot trot trot trot trot!!!! :p

If you've got no hills trotting would be a good one to do. But you got to make sure to change diagonals every so often, then muscle won't build up on just one side mainly... well I read that somewhere in one of these many horsey books!

[ForeverEquine]

Backing is a good hindquarter building exercise.

[painthorsegirl101]

swimming is a really good ecxercise for the horses, and collecting them.

[DixieGirl]

Thanks! I'll see if any of this helps!

[Full of Flight]

also a working trot in a hunter head set

[crazy4horses]

also a working trot in a hunter head set


Umm... Bargain is a western horse....

[Full of Flight]

all a hunter head set is a pleasure gead set just up a little higher.

[crazy4horses]

all a hunter head set is a pleasure gead set just up a little higher.


Yeah, I know.

[Full of Flight]

if u wanna do western just wiggle and I know Bargain knows what that means

[DixieGirl]

Ummm.......Bargain always carries her head level at the jog/trot. I would know....I ride her everyday.

[Full of Flight]

ok then nevermind, gosh. but it does help build muscle

[ForeverEquine]

But, Bargain is a western pleasure horse, I dont think she would like carring her head in a "hunter headset"

No horse at first likes to carry their heads anyway but naturally, lol! They need to be trained to it. A western horse can just as easily be trained to carry their head in an english headset.

[moodymare]

I have to agree with FE on this one.

Take thoroughbreds for example.... necks like giraffes! I'm sure many will agree, but after some training and work they will start to carry their head in the way you desire.

[bonnieluv]

i know Bradley's doesnt have one but lead walkers help alot. When Bonnie was at the old place before we moved we always did that and Bonnie got alot of muscle maybe that can help u if u can find one u can use. it really works if u do it about every week. here is a pic of one. the lead walk is on the left. srry its the only pic i have with the lead walker.

[bethfornow]

actually guys, lots of western horses carry their heads nautrally low. its what we look for in young prospect horses. I think what was meant by that comment about a hunter head set is that a horse uses more back and flank muscles to trot with it's head down than it does with its head up.