How to Build Your Horse's Topline with Groundwork in 3 Months CASE STUDY and EXERCISES

Strengthening your horse's back and core muscles can be simple and fun for both of you. It doesn't have to be complicated or a battle and you can do it all using groundwork exercises!
In this video, you can follow my mare, India, as I took her from very weak and out of shape to stronger, sounder and fitter in just over 3 months. I show you all the exercises I used and monitor her progress along the way.
These exercises improve your horse's:
Soundness
Symmetry
Spine and back health
Confidence and joy in movement
Connection and communication with you
As with India, you can use these exercises to prepare a horse for being ridden, or you can use them alongside the current work you're doing.
India finds it hard to build muscle (and she loses it quickly) as she has some metabolic challenges, so her progress was steady and we're continuing to build it on now she has this base level of fitness.
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If you'd like to find out more about my horse training approach and learn how to train your horse this way, please check out the Connection Training Club:
➣The CT Club is an online membership site where you can get access to hundreds of step-by-step training videos on training your horse using positive reinforcement. You can learn and see exactly how I train my horses and how to train yours using rewards, from starting off with a fantastic foundation to effective and practical techniques for despooking, loading, riding and more.
You can find out more and sign up here:
connectiontraining.com/learn-...
We look forward to seeing you there :-)
➤ You can also find out more in the #1 bestselling Connection Training BOOK 📖
Get it on Amazon (search for 'Connection Training') or download Chapter 1 free here: connectiontraining.com/book/ for a preview 👀
➤ More info on us, our training approach and the CT Club can be found at: connectiontraining.com/
#horseclickertraining #positivereinforcementhorsetraining #rewardbasedhorsetraining

[@ScrolledAgain]

So wonderful how you can lunge her without any rope. She really sees you as a leader. Amazing progress and beautiful horse. So proud of you and her

[@Tam-Solo70]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I am bringing my mare back into work and this was great to see the movements you did with your horse and the changes in her body through the process. I will be doing the wither and back impressions to track our progress. I really wish I had done this before when I first brought her home.

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Well done. Very interesting

[@genelle1959]

What a beautiful property.

[@MsBizzyGurl]

Thank you. Very informative.

[@judy9616]

Thanks ! My 27 year old boy has really lost muscle mass and has a sloped top line. Love these slow and steady exercises.

[@mariek1800]

great development - i like your way of training and treating the horses very much -- great job

[@hannahmcilveen]

This is a wonderfully helpful video! So much information in one place laid out in a way that's easy to emulate. I watched twice to write down all the exercises and will absolutely be starting a program with my lease mare (she's lost a ton of topline due to terrible hay quality over the winter and poor saddle fit).

[@ConnectionTraining]

I am so glad you found it useful. Good luck with your mare; I am sure you will get back to where her topline was with a little patience and consistency :) Mapping out their back can be really encouraging as it helps you see the difference you are making as you progress!

[@SuperAnnad]

This was so helpful. Thank you

[@ConnectionTraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dianereiser6417]

Those darn abscesses, they ruin everything. I like the Liberty work you did, so helpful with connection. Your horse looks fantastic after all your hard work.

[@mphorsemanship4737]

Absolutely loved this! Shared with a few ppl as well🥰 There’s so much power in just a walk!

[@katiewashington7338]

This is truly so helpful. Thank you for making this video because these exercises I am going to start on my horse and just super thankful for the video.

[@emilychurch6526]

Thank you so much for making this video! It was informative and lots of great ideas to help build posture and muscle with groundwork. I will definitely be using these exercises with my mare who will be 18 this year!

[@ConnectionTraining]

You're so welcome! That's so great to hear! Let us know how it goes :)

[@EckwoodEquine]

Inspiring. Awesome progress.

[@grannyhorsetraining878]

That's great, thanks for sharing what you did ❤

[@emilychurch6526]

Awesome video and great results! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@nsegari11]

Incredibly helpful--thank you so much!

[@Mastercheese-jr3ku]

Great, informative video

[@Rosebud65]

Excellent content!

[@poniesinthemist]

Fantastic ideas. Thank you so much for sharing ❤

[@juliafield5578]

Thank you for your video it's wonderful to see the change you have helped India make.

[@Em-fy2db]

Amazing video! Thanks for sharing, given me some great ideas of how to work my horses on the ground

[@rjb9886]

Very interesting. Thank you

[@staloldeneibergen]

Great video and amaaaaaaazing environment!! As a Dutch person I am really jealous of those hills and mountains ;)

[@tracymoxey2639]

Thank you for sharing, loved the way you presented it and I learnt some new things 🙏

[@lynnturton6257]

2.55pm thank you so very much for this information just what I needed right now

[@janetdyson7302]

Great video. I have two seniors and will start working them as soon as the rain stops. Can anyone tell me where to buy the templates please?

[@Rosebud65]

Where is this beautiful place? 🌲🌳

[@brentonkelly3780]

...this is a brilliant video and story of success, congratulations to you both, a true demonstration of the power of groundwork, particularly when focused on a particular outcome.

[@ConnectionTraining]

Thank you very much!

[@tp7283]

Super handy thank you! Great idea to actually measure her progress. Other than the specific time off due to injury etc was she exercising everyday?

[@wetdewlap8741]

Just subscribed

[@MrsDenali3]

WOW THANK U. I HAVE BEEN DOING MOST OF THESE EXERCISES WITH MY TWH THAT HAD NO TOP LINE & HE HAS IMPROVED. I WISH I HAD DRAWN THE PATTERN. I LOVE THE LARGE CONES EXERCISES TOO, ARE THEY 12 INCHES HIGH?

[@mphorsemanship4737]

I do have one question not all that related- do you have a video on the leg lift? I have a rescue draft that could use the help of that gentle technique!!

[@rebeccakolbl8593]

Do you train these exercises daily or is there any recovery time needed in between? Thank you for this amazing video with plenty of ideas! 😍 I have immediatly looked up your online programm and hope to find time for it this year. My english (as a german) seems to be good enough 🎉😃

[@ConnectionTraining]

I train my horses 3-4 times per week. If you’re doing more than that, I would split it up so you separate more intense sessions with maybe just a walk out in hand or something easier. Some sessions can also be really short - you can do a surprising amount in 10-15 mins a day and that’s usually fine to do every day because it’s little and often. But, as always, listen to your horse - if they’re keen for more, do more, they’re obviously feeling good. If they seem a bit hesitant, make it an easy day as they could be feeling it in their bodies - day off, gentle walk, massage etc. Hope that helps and hope to see you in the CT Club - you’re very welcome to join us 😊

[@JUMYY3]

Great video!! I do most of these exercises but i loveee how you trace I usually just take photos!! Would love to know how you measure the paper 😍 as i would love to try but im bad with measurements 🤣!

[@ConnectionTraining]

I use a flexi curve - you just lay it over the back, mould it to the right shape, then it keeps its shape so you can trace it onto paper. Hope that helps :-)

[@wetdewlap8741]

Awesome video, I just bought a bit of a pasture puff and am new to horses. This video was so helpful. Ca you tell me about how many repetitions you do and for about how long ( time for each specific exercise) Thanks again, can’t wait to start implementing these exercises!

[@calista1280]

@wetdewlap8741, So glad you're looking or expert help! It will keep both of you safer and hopefully injury free. Sand works if you don't have snow for resistance. But also bending, flexing, backing and turning in a normal arena... I highly recommend Ryan Rose's gentle methods of training. He seems to really understand horse's minds and explains everything he does so well! Also Steve Young, he helps seriously unmanageable horses and knows how to reach their minds after trauma. His methods are also slow and methodical and seemingly miraculous! Much Luck & Happiness on your new adventure! ✨️

[@jackiewren74]

It's this every day for 3 months x

[@kyliearcia6123]

How often did you exercise? Daily? For how long?

[@10mileroadie]

Can you help me understand a little more about how you made the poster board models of her back?

[@simoneharri5937]

I have been looking for something like this for a while! (Not sure why I didn’t just ask on the CT forum :-)). But question about how long were you working on each exercise or how many reps? I know it will be different for every individual, but just trying to get a sense

[@wielandla]

I have the same question

[@StellarumCreative]

Where did you get the mats?

[@MsDother]

This is wonderful. I’d love to know how you taught her to lift her legs to touch the stick.

[@ConnectionTraining]

Hi, good question as we don't actually have a video on teaching this yet but we will aim to do one in the future!

[@LB-gc7jh]

How often Should i do Theese exercises ? Every day?

[@aba9286]

Just found this video. My horse is so similar. An easy keeper with a barrel belly. I see your treat training her. My horse responds really good with treats but I worry about her weight. What are you giving her for treats?

[@ConnectionTraining]

We actually have a KZbin video discussing which treats to use when and why :) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXrWeYF-fqeFm9E

[@keyserlingii]

If you don't have hills & poles? Any other tips & tricks?

[@ConnectionTraining]

If you don't have hills, find mounds, steps, banks, ditches, curbs etc. You could even work use the trailer ramp or equivalent for some exercises. Different surfaces like sand, mud, concrete, gravel, woodchip etc are great for proprioception. Walking through snow or water or mud or long grass is great for resistance training . For poles, use fence posts, logs, cones, piles of sticks, rolled up carpets, cut up cardboard boxes... I've taught in many different places and there are always things to play with if you look creatively (and as a kid, before I had any proper equipment, we made jumps and obstacles out of all sorts of random stuff we found lying around, usually without asking first and then getting into trouble!). Hope that helps!

[@abbygrace7891]

How often did you work with her? Daily?

[@springstafford6044]

Can you do these exercises under saddle and get the same results especially the hill work?

[@M_J456]

I personally wouldn't unless your horse has a great topline already because of saddle fit. If your saddle fits the 'underdeveloped' back it's going to be painful/ counterintuitive to build muscle there because it's going to add pressure to the spots where you would like development to happen. Doubly so with a rider on for extra weight. Even after these exercises I would expect to call a saddle fitter out so it can be adjusted to the 'new' back.

[@Conny226]

What treats are you feeding?

[@ConnectionTraining]

We actually have a new KZbin video explaining how to choose the right treats for you and your horse during training: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXrWeYF-fqeFm9E Let us know if this helps!

[@Sn00fies]

I keep trying to teach my horse to lay down he is stubborn 😢 I am in Spain without the s