her but not get in her way too much with rein contact. Star demonstrates how much flexion and stability is needed in the hind leg on the high side of the ditch as we turn to head back down (C). This type of maneuvering is more difficult than riding straight up and down hills.4 With each loop of your serpentine, move just two or three steps up the side of the bank and then return back down. The loops should be tight and swift.
5 Remember to change your horse’s poll flexion and bend for each loop, the same way you would in the arena. Be sure to not let him “fall” down the slopes with quicker strides. His rhythm should remain measured throughout.
EXERCISE 3: Ride a Hill Sideways
| PURPOSE: | Corrects side-dominance, hindquarter stiffness, and lack of coordination in the hind limbs. |
A popular rehabilitation exercise, this simple technique flexes the horse’s hind joints deeply while also recruiting the pelvic stabilizing ligaments and muscles. It can correct side-dominance, hindquarter stiffness, and lack of coordination in the hind limbs. Perform this exercise either ridden or leading from the ground.
1 Find a small hill that allows you to ride sideways across its slope for at least 20 meters (figs. 1.5 A–C). It does not need to be steep. A gentle slope not only allows more stable foot placement but also leads the horse to move out more confidently.1.5 A: Diamante has to bend the joints of his left hind leg more as he’s ridden sideways across a hill with it on the high side of the slope.1.5 B & C: This can improve stifle strength and mobility and increase collection. Be creative! Here we ride sideways on a berm heading to the arena for a schooling session (B). Hills do not need to be long or steep for this exercise. Diamante and I find another slope near his paddock that works just fine (C). Not only are we adding variety to our schooling, we’re improving body symmetry at the same time.
2 Place the horse’s weaker or stiffer hind limb on the uphill side of the slope.
3 Walk a straight line sideways across the hill.
In the case of exaggerated differences in the horse’s hind limbs—that is, one limb is especially weaker or toe-dragging stiff—practice this exercise more frequently with that limb on the uphill side of the slope. Where there is no overt difference like this, for general strength and balance training practice the exercise equally with each hind leg in the more flexed position on the uphill slope. It is acceptable for the horse to take short, cautious steps as long as they maintain a steady forward rhythm.
EXERCISE 4: Quick Halts Down a Hill
| PURPOSE: | Lifts the base of the horse’s neck and lightens the forehand. |
The base of the horse’s neck (at his chest) stores a large number of proprioceptors (nerves that read and cue movement). How a horse uses this area of his body while moving, therefore, determines whether his hindquarters can engage well or not. If he constantly “falls forward” with his chest and pushes weight down into the base of his neck, he will be capable only of stiff strides and a rigid back. This pattern becomes deeply embedded.
On the other hand, if he lifts the base of his neck while traveling forward, he creates a reflexive reaction system-wide that lightens his forehand and allows his hind limbs to swing forward and balance under his body. Use this exercise to target these proprioceptors at the base of his neck.
1 Develop a brisk walk on light rein contact traveling straight down a hill.
2 The hill should be adequately sloped so you feel the horse working his way down it, but not so steep that he is scrambling.
3 After 10 or so strides, ask for an abrupt halt transition (fig. 1.6). Be sure the horse stands straight and does not swing his hindquarters to the side.1.6: Diamante learns to flex his hind joints and balance his weight on his hindquarters when I ask him to stop quickly while walking downhill.
4 Stand still for 5 seconds. Then proceed in walk again. Remain perfectly straight.
5 Repeat, walking 10 strides and making an abrupt halt.
When you stop your horse, keep your rein contact. It’s important that he stays in a good posture rather than sticking out his neck or lifting his head. As soon as you ask for the halt, you want him to stop abruptly. This causes him to sink downward with his sacrum and hold the flexion of his hind legs so he can lighten his front end.
EXERCISE 5: Back Up with Good Form
| PURPOSE: | Helps “unlock” the horse’s back. |
Recommended by body therapists as a prime core conditioner, backing up a horse strongly recruits the abdominals and muscles of the flexion chain. Additionally, it stretches and lengthens the flexor tendons and hamstrings, thus allowing the hind legs to swing forward more freely. This result often causes riders to experience it as “unlocking” the horse’s back. For horses with back issues—soreness, stiffness, or kissing spine—it is preferable to perform without weight on the back.
The following tips should be followed for best results.
1 Keep your horse in a correct posture the entire time (fig. 1.7 A). If he lifts and braces his neck, stop moving backward until you can encourage him with your lead to return to a horizontal position (fig. 1.7 B). His head should be on a vertical plane, the same as when you ride.1.7 A: Siobhan keeps Star in good form as she walks her backward. Her topline is round, her front- and hind-stride lengths are equally measured, and she moves backward without restriction.1.7 B: If your horse resists or braces his neck, stop backing up until you can restore his balance and posture.
2 If the horse curls his head toward his chest and overly rounds his neck, stop going backward, draw his chin forward, and restart.
3 The horse must stay straight! If he persistently shifts his hips to one side, place him alongside a fence or wall to hold him in alignment.
4 If the horse drags or scrapes his toes back instead of lifting and stepping back, it is often helpful to back him a few sessions on hard surfaces like pavement. This can awaken his proprioception.
5 Travel backward at least 30 steps per day.
6 The backward steps should be rhythmic, steady, and smooth. Do not rush; faster is not better.
Observe, observe, observe. How the horse backs up tells you a great deal about where in his body he is currently weak or restricted. Does he spread his hind legs wide? Does he take larger steps with one leg? Does he try to hollow his back, or drop his neck too low?
EXERCISE 6: The Schaukel
| PURPOSE: | Strengthens the core and promotes equal use of both hind legs. |
Appearing in high-level dressage competitions, this motion of rocking the
