HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR HORSE'S BACK?

This is an easy way to strengthen your horse's topline. Backing up a slight hill can work the topline muscles and develop strengh over time. I like to find a spot that flattens as you approach the top, this way the horse wants to get to the top where it gets easier, instead of being discouraged by it staying the same or getting harder if it were to get steeper.

[@JosephNewcomb]

What exercises do you guys find helpful to strengthen your horses topline?

[@TheTeapotte]

Stretching long and low to warm up and cool down, poles, walk-canter transitions and jumping :)

[@happyPITA]

Lunge with loose Pessoa (and loose well padded surcingle) encouraging stretch over topline without tension but not allowing horse to fall on forehand. Can do transitions in gait, poles, and trot canter trots. A comfortable way for the horse to build without the added weight of the rider. Also a great way to keep an eye on weaknesses and overall soundness.

[@stalmollink1644]

Same as Hannah, and in the morning and eventing stretching with carrots. Horse takes carrot in beween the front legs.

[@Vicksen80]

Riding up and down hils. And get the horse down with its Neck While walking

[@MyAnimado]

Trotting and cantering long and low, jumping, and reinback. (I wonder where I learnt that... lol)

[@foureyeddragon00]

I would love to see a similar type video about strengthening the hind end and stifles!

[@chihiroxmiyazaki]

I'm going to try this! My 3 year old rescue has really poor development in his topline and hind quarters and I've been looking for ground exercises to strengthen his back. Glad I found this! Thank you!

[@peterthehorse8204]

Amazing never thought of that before ever !!!

[@amberblyledge7859]

I actually figured this out a few weeks ago. I have mostly short and steep hills that I use for my mare. However she is already acclimated to all sorts of crazy up and down and very balanced, so it's not a huge leap. I make her work, and then every time she gets to the top (again, very short, but kind of steep) she gets to graze for a minute. Gives her plenty of rest in between and a really nice reward supplement when used with the cookie. We end up doing it about 5 to 10 times, usually on the lower end because she's getting stronger. Remember that this exercise, especially for the Arena horse, is HARD. You may only get one good one the first time you do it. That's ok. One nice one is much better than several lazy ones.

[@charlenemoskowitz7634]

Great idea I love it! Thanks!

[@christysteinert1322]

I never thought of that as an excercise!! Thank you!!

[@toodysmom]

Thank you! I'm going to try this. I'll document the process via pics :)

[@July-gf7kr]

Wow this is an amazing idea. Thanks for sharing! I will try this with my pony right from tomorrow:)

[@jameswoodard6271]

So focused on going forward all the time, I forget about anything else 🤔. I'm definitely adding this to my toolbox. 👍👍

[@vanished3306]

So much easier, safer and natural than working the abdominals and femoral biceps! Thank you👍🏻

[@amandasawyer4784]

That was incredible advice Joseph, thank you. I’m definitely going to do this as I have a hill right next to my schooling ring from when it was built!! I usually spend some time before riding in hand working low ensuring the hind is active, coming through properly & getting the inside hind stepping across & under. I do raised trotting poles as well. I’ve been doing this for 8 weeks & my bodyworker noticed an improvement yesterday. It’ll be interesting to see if she notices further improvement on her next visit in 8 weeks time adding this exercise in. I’ll let you know & thank you as this is my main goal to strengthen both my boy’s backs & topline 😊👍

[@NadyaPena-01]

I'm a fan of your videos. I subscribed!

[@renaeboonstra54]

Thank you Joseph I never knew..

[@JosephNewcomb]

Renae Boonstra thank you. It has really helped some of my horses.

[@dawnaustin4556]

Amazing video. Thank you! I’ve done everything but this and I can see how your horse is using his back. I have a perfect candidate for this!

[@JosephNewcomb]

Dawn austin thank you. Good luck!

[@peterjonker1059]

Hello Joseph, recently 'discovered' you on youtube and greateful for your video's and clear instructions and advice. Breaking down exercises in small steps and showing the process as in 28 days to piaffe helps me really moving foreward, be patient and have fun with my horse at the same time. Thanks again and best regards from Holland, peter.

[@JosephNewcomb]

Peter Jonker thank you so much Peter. It makes me happy that people around the world follow along and find the videos helpful. :). Are you a trainer?

[@jjones9536]

I really like this exerciser my horses paddock is on a hill YEAH !

[@ruthkeeling-holt2031]

Great idea !!! Can you also do some posts about maintaining soundness ? What if anything do you tjink helps ? Ice Boots, Ceramic infused Boots, Poultice, Chiropractic, Magna Wave.... all ideas are appreciated

[@flobrowne3970]

Thank you, I have a perfect place out in my field for this exercise, I will start doing it every day when I take her to turn out before turning her loose. 6 yr old mare I raised from a weanling, started Western dressage with her last summer under tutelage of classical English dressage Instructors and Prix St George rider/mentor/friend. Had difficulty with free walk, stretching over topline, need to get that fixed before we can move on. I understand the biomechanics and why a horse needs to stretch over topling to engage hind end, but no one seems able to tell me exactly how to accomplish this. This was first video I've seen that gives an actual exercise I can do (and I love in-hand work!) to strengthen her topline.

[@JosephNewcomb]

Awesome. Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching the videos.

[@karinaself4856]

Thanks I try trot poles and does working long and low before and after my ride does that help

[@jjones9536]

I sent yo a message recently and to my amazement you responded very quickly thank you. I haven't really done a lot with her and our winter has been very wet. She must have slipped in her box and her leg from knee to elbow very swollen. I bound the whole leg up and turned her out and she soon recovered. As I am having to change things in her box she is out in the mud etc. However, she is up to weight now and she demonstrated an amazing hand stand in the field recently. Took my breath away actually. I thought I do hope she saves those tricks moves for her field companion ?

[@JosephNewcomb]

janet jones that’s great. I hope she is better soon. :). Thanks for watching.

[@krissieequestrian1563]

How do u get a horse to do long and low because everyone has different methods and I’m curious what others are xx thanks

[@carolyneppler7638]

is it best to begin this exercise on a lo grade hill and then graduate to something steeper?

[@flashingdrake7221]

I didn't see this anywhere in the video, but can this be done when riding or is it best from the ground?

[@Polopony20.]

will backing still help if we dont have hills to work on? my horse doesnt trailer well (something we're working on) and i dont have hills on my property

[@ellef3035]

💯

[@PersonalTriumph2022]

How many reps and for how long ?

[@naunettemartin7450]

Can I used to pads on my horse to save her back can used to pads

[@jeannemclaughlin1240]

Vv