[TrickPony]

Ok... a question for you guys!
I'm not sure whether this should go under training or heath... sorry if I'm in the wrong category here.

Here's the problem - I have a 16.1 hh QH gelding who's got a really stocky build. He lost alot of weight last winter - but is looking much better now.

However, he's got some serious topline problems. He's got a (somewhat significant) ewe neck - a dip just before his withers. In a western head set it's not real noticeable, but when his head is up it's pretty obvious.

How should I build up muscle there? People have told me to work him "long and low" ... so I've been riding him with a real low western headset for the past 6 weeks or so, but no change. He's still not ideal on the weight... should I try to beef him up some more? You can just slighty see his ribs in the right light as is.

I can post pics if that would be helpful.
-Alex

[Cowgirl2135]

Get him collected, flex his poll. Do this in everywork our and then have him a 10 min break at the end.

[Shotgun93]

Lots and lots of bending exercises will help to build muscle. But, if he is underweight and you are working him a lot, he will have problems putting on muscle. O would concentrate on getting him to a good weight, try adding beet pulp, fat cat or oil to get some weight on him, along with free choice hay. Once his body starts to even out, he won't have as much of a hard time developing more muscle.

[TrickPony]

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

Lots and lots of bending exercises will help to build muscle. But, if he is underweight and you are working him a lot, he will have problems putting on muscle. O would concentrate on getting him to a good weight, try adding beet pulp, fat cat or oil to get some weight on him, along with free choice hay. Once his body starts to even out, he won't have as much of a hard time developing more muscle.

I'm having an insainly hard time getting him to gain weight... he's in incredible shape though.
Here's what he's currently on...
Pretty much free-choice grass hay (he gets more than he cares to eat... about 30-35 lbs per day).
Beet pulp... I don't know the dry weight, just one coffee can (soaked) morning and evening.
3+ lbs of grain every day, depending on how much he's getting worked.
1/3 cup of corn oil... morning and night.

I don't know what else to do - he's a cribber which is where all the weight problems stem from. A miracle collar works (sortof) but it's tough....

I'll try the bending/flexing excercises tho. Good idea! Thanks!

[Cowgirl2135]

I would def. do what DancingLite suggested.

[TrickPony]

Originally Posted by Dancinglite

The more successful we are at relieving the dorsal muscles of the work of actual weight carrying, the more they can oscillate freely and elastically and are available for locomotion and transmission of impulsion resulting in longer, springier and better timing of the gaits. To do this the rider should refrain from interference of the activity of the back by employing a crotch or half seat ( two point) and allow his weight to follow the movement of the horse and allow the neck to stretch forward.

Thanks DL!
So... I ride westen, but am often very "forward" on this horse.
By really sitting back and keeping my hips under me, will that encourage the use of his neck/topline and help build muscle there?