The Horse Training Problem Solver by Cherry Hill

Author:Cherry Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: horse training;horse behavior;training challenges
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Published: 2015-03-20T04:00:00+00:00

Helping My Mare Use Her Hindquarters Better

Q I have had my first horse for about a year and a half now, and I have reached the point where I realize I must do something about her not using her hindquarters properly. I am wondering what type of ground work and saddle work would be best to help her use her hindquarters instead of pulling with her front legs. She is not using her muscles to hold up her back either. We do trail and arena riding but are not working in any particular discipline.

I am thinking of doing hill work with her but want to know what I should be looking for to make sure she is doing it in a way that is suitable. Also, I have heard cavalletti work would be useful but wonder if just by doing the cavalletti work, would she automatically use her muscles and hind legs correctly, or do I have to watch for something there, too? Is lateral work, such as turns on the hindquarter or leg-yields, useful? How much of this type of work should I do per day for it to be useful?

A If you know how to longe a horse, some longe work on the largest possible circle will get you off to a reasonable start. Use just a longeing cavesson and longe line — no bridle or saddle or side reins. Longeing will accomplish several things:

It will let you watch your horse and see exactly how she moves without a rider.

It will let you improve the way she uses herself — still without a rider.

It will let you build up her strength and musculature so that she will be able to move more correctly and efficiently with a rider.

Even when you’re doing good under-saddle work, you’ll be able to go back to longeing periodically, both to warm up your mare and to give you a visual impression of her improvement.

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