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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
 England
1168 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 1:53:08 PM
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Just reading the thread about how much weight a horse can carry and i noticed someone mentioned about dipped backs. This has worried me a bit since i took Ozzy to a show last year and the judge mentioned to me that he had a dipped back..
He was like this before i backed him so i know it's not my weight that has caused it... The judge at the show last year said it would probably come up when he is backed and starts using himself properly...
But it hasn't... He was backed in June 09 and since then he has been ridden every other day for about an hour at a time. We mainly hack but in Nov / Dec i did start some schooling work once a week.
He has grown 3 inches and matured quite a bit since May 09 when i bought him. A friend said i should do some pole work with him (both ridden and on the lunge) and this will help strengthen his back.
He will be 5 in March so i did have plans to do a bit more with him this year. Also because his back is dipped it makes his belly look rounder, almost like the weight of his belly is pulling his back down (if that makes sense) I also do carrot stretches with him and when i put the carrot between is front legs he does stretch down really well and his back comes right up then. Any suggestion on how to strengthen his back muscles and encourage him to carry himself better would be gratefully received.
This picture was taken at the show last year in Aug / Sept (he was 4)
and this one last week
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 2:22:34 PM
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It looks to me (but i'm no expert) that he is using his glutes rather than his hamstrings (apologies if there is different terminology for horses).... basically rather than pushing through forward from behind, he is pushing up, giving him the dipped back, bum high (and apple bum) appearence
Pole work and carrot stretches are fantastic - raised poles even better and lunging is brilliant too! It will be tough work as he already has developed the muscles, but if you can, having physio on him to loosen the muscles will make your job easier and they could also show you how to stretch out the hamstrings too (warning though this is quite physically demanding on you, especially if you have a horse like me who puts all of his weight onto you).
ETS: IMO he would need to be ridden/lunged in the school with strecthes at least 3 times a week for you to see a difference, with another session of pole work on top with his stretches after... going by experience you will see a big improvement week by week, but after 4 -6 weeks he'll look like a different horse  |
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Edited by - Pasha on 14 Jan 2010 2:26:57 PM |
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alison
Platinum Member
Wales
1810 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 4:00:50 PM
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Hi Nichole, he looks a lovely boy and I think he will mature quite big as he looks like a lot of growing there. What height is he now! Also is he pure or part bred!! I agree with everything Pasha says schooling should work a treat.
Cheers
Ali  |
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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 4:53:07 PM
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Thanks Pasha & Alison,
He is 14.2 and a bit at the moment and he is a pure bred. http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/eas+sabbah He was 14hh when i bought him in May. He had never been fed any hard feed and i started him on Lo cal Balancer and Hi Fi Lite chaff when i got him. He seems to do OK on this so will stick with it.
He is prone to put weight on easily and has a rather large belly at the moment.. I don't think this helps with his overall appearance as it just makes his back look like it's sagging in the middle..
When i ask him to work in an outline, he does try and gets a few strides right before he flops out again. The problem is i don't really know what i'm doing and i don't want to give him the wrong message. I could really do with a nice dressage rider giving him a few schooling sessions, but like everyone else, money is a bit tight at the moment.
There is a very good Arab rider / trainer fairly local to me but he is really hard to get hold of. In the mean time my friend up the road to the yard has a school and she said she can work with me doing some basics and some pole work. |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 8:27:24 PM
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I have seen this type of back before in horses with Babson lines - in fact, your first photo of Ozzy in-hand reminded me an awful lot of a horse I saw years ago who had the same problem (but in his case, much worse). Also, I have seen an El Kabah son with a somewhat dipped back. So it may well be genetic. However, doing work to build him up won't come amiss!
Keren |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 11:42:03 PM
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I'd agree; it is his natural structure but you can help improve it with the right sort of work that encourages him to stretch and work through from behind. You have to be careful to not allow him to go hollow (which he finds easiest). Hillwork in straight lines, at a steady pace will get his hocks underneath him. You need to encourage the correct stretch when out hacking too. I have seen the pessoa used successfully in such cases too. How did he look when you first started to double lunge him? That's usually the shape you want. A physio or chiro can also help you with muscle release as part of his fittening too. Growing, newly backed horses change shape so dramatically!
If you gently press your fingernails (all 5 of them in claw shape hand) into the underside of his tummy, near the back, he will naturally suck himself upwards. That shape gives you a guide as to his optimum topline (unless he does the hunchback like my young colt who loves a scratch there!) |
    
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Edited by - Mrs Vlacq on 14 Jan 2010 11:46:02 PM |
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 11:05:24 AM
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I have the same trouble with Arabi, he has always had a dipped back and it has improved with schooling and lunging, My instructor said the same as Pasha he needs to put his hocks underneath him and work from behind as he pulls himself along with his front legs.
We work on getting him going really forward and off the leg, as this gets him using his behind, with lots of transitions,he loves the pole work and gets quite full of himself which helps as it creates natural energy which is allot easier.
I do the same on the lunge I have tried the pessoa on a different horse in the past and it did improve her schooling so I might consider buying one.
I have been trying to find lots of hills out hacking to help with strengthening the muscles but his still only 5 so I know his only young so I am in no rush, I will try and put a picture of him on here so you can see I know what you mean about the belly hanging down we have that too, Nicole I noticed your from Essex near Epping we were stabled at Manor Farm in High Beach for a while, we are in Lambourne End now don't know if your nearby we could meet up. Liz |
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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 12:25:35 PM
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Thanks everyone for your help. I'll set myself a programme and try and stick with it (work permitting)
Liz - We are in Toot Hill (in between Epping & Ongar). Would love to meet up for a hack. Sometimes we box over to Hainault Forest for a change, is that near you? Need to wait for the snow to clear and get him out a few times first, cos i'm sure he is going to be a bit fizzy...! His character has started to change in the last few days and he is getting a bit stroppy now.. I think he is bored with just going out in the field every day. I'll PM you when we have been out a few times and see if we can sort something out.  |
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Edited by - Nichole Waller on 15 Jan 2010 12:29:47 PM |
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 12:37:13 PM
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Hi Nichole that would be great we are right in Hainault forest and I sometimes go to Havering Park if I have more time, I think they do get bored with just the field snow nearly gone now sick of it the only good thing is they come in mud free,Good luck with the schooling keep in touch. liz
Edited to say Mrs V you always give great advice I always read your posts and replies. |
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Edited by - pinkvboots on 15 Jan 2010 12:44:28 PM |
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Dipped back...
