RE: developing topline

["Kathy Mayeda" <kathy_mayeda@atce.com>]

Rode my horse with a hollow back trot for a couple of years.  Did nothing
for his topline at all, in fact it seemed to get worse as we continued
to condition harder.  Took riding lessons and got a new saddle and the
topline is starting to build back up.  I wish that I could have started
him more correctly because we would have been a lot more far ahead then
we are now.

I would look into solutions to get her more rounded, and then the topline
could be built up.  It's not what gait you use as much a how you do it.
I find that his back seems stronger after some good uphill cantering,
though!

I suggest you read Jane Savoie's books on Cross-Training, they are very
informative.  Maybe Abby or Sue would chime in.

K.



-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle Fink [mailto:michrowe@redwrench.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 9:02 PM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Cc: Dbeverly4@aol.com
Subject: RC: developing topline


In developing a strong, round topline on a horse, does walking hills do
more
or is trotting them better?  This horse is normally hollow at the trot
(her
back is tense and head is high), she is rounder at the walk (her back is
relaxed and her head is wither height).  I am not sure if trotting her
on
hills will teach her to use her back properly, or if walking hills will
strengthen her back so that she can trot hills with better form. ???  My
arena is muddy, so all the work is roadwork at this point.  I do some
suppling/dressage type work, and lots of transitions.  I am just not
sure
what the most effective way to proceed with hillwork is.  I would like
to
get her moving better before we start doing longer conditioning rides.

My inclination is to walk hills mostly, and do a few short trots on the
hills for the transitions.

All ideas welcome!

Michelle
(Colorado)


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=