Being able to see the physical progress clearly by looking at the paper cut outs was so helpful! I'll have to use that trick to track my boy's progress! I just rescued him and this video gave me a lot of ideas to start him off slowly as right now he looks a lot like India did in the beginning. Thank you!
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.
I’m just starting to do groundwork exercises with my new mare to build top line so this video was so interesting and educational for me. Some great advice and you can really see the difference in your horse. Really inspiring, thank you!! ❤
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.
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.
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).
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!
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!
...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.
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 🎉😃
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 😊
Researching for my own horse one day. I adore your style of training, I really think I will be able to have a successful and beautiful bond with my horse thanks to your amazing content❤❤❤
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 🤣!
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 :-)
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!
@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! ✨️
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!
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!!
Hi - This is so helpful. Is there a book we're I can follow the Programe step by step? First time horse owner here and I think my horses back isn't looking quite right.
In the CT Club we have an entire step-by-step process on Gymnastic Groundwork. You also get loads of other resources, study groups, presentations as well as live Q&A's so that you can ask specific questions relative to your horse and situation. You can join here: connectiontraining.com/learn-ct-online-2/
I use a flexi-curve to take the measurement, then trace the pattern onto coloured paper and cut them out so there is a clear comparison. I hope that helps :)
Hi, thank you for the positive feedback! Yes we use food as a reinforcer a lot with R+ training. If you want to know more we have a whole video on Which Treats to use when Clicker Training Your Horse here: ruclips.net/video/WIsHNHIBReo/видео.html Happy Horse Training :) xx
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?
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.
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?
I have a horse who does have some atrophe in the left shoulder area but she was kind of born this way. I am trying to work on her topline and see a difference in her performance; however, I want to be sure I can actually build these muscles up. As a result, she bares more weight on the right to accommodate. She is soft and subtle everywhere in her body it is just that shoulder. Do you have any suggestions for me?
This is an interesting one. If she was born that way, there could well be some abnormality that is unchangeable. Especially if you've spent some years working on groundwork and have only been able to change it a certain amount. However, that doesn't mean she can't be comfortable, strong and sound (though she may never be totally even on both sides), if you work with her movement patterns. Again, slow, gentle groundwork with lots of attention on what she says she can and can't do, will enable you to see her limits and capabilities. For a case like this (and you probably already are), working alongside vets and bodyworkers is really important. And, of course, if she can't do certain things comfortably, there's so much you can do with R+ that's not just riding. I had an arab with a deformed hoof (missing a navicular bone). He was always really clear about what he was comfortable doing and what he wasn't, so we worked on that. He was never able to be ridden, but loved short walks in hand, some groundwork (more on one rein than the other), and loads of fun games such as horse agility obstacles, trick training etc. Good luck and happy horse training 🙂
Question, my mare is beyond asymmetrical due to racing in USA. I do two thirds work on weak side and one third on race direction. Should I switch to half and half again?
Either approach is fine. I recommend keeping an eye on both physical and emotional progress to help you balance it up through the sessions. Technically you can probably balance a horse up faster by doing what you're doing. However, I usually do 50/50 even though it's slower because it also builds body awareness, control, ability etc on both sides - not just about building muscles. This actually applies to you, too, as we all have preferred sides as well, so it gives you the chance to practice working with your horse from both sides, with both hands etc so that you're both as connected and able on both sides. Also, working the weaker side is harder, so some horses can find the training a bit too much and lose enthusiasm if it's usually hard and they don't get to practice the things that they find easier, too. You can always mix it up through the sessions as well, depending on what you're working on and how your horse is feeling to get the best of both worlds. Hope that helps, happy horse training!
Well, the right nutrition is really important. She’s on ad lib hay with extra feed of beet pulp, Lucerne and some soy. I don’t feed cereals, molassed or other high sugar feeds. I find the right nutrition really depends on the individual horse and where you live because the nutrition in the basic forage varies so much. If in doubt, ask a local nutritionist who should know best how to advise you.
We actually have a new RUclips video explaining how to choose the right treats for you and your horse during training: ruclips.net/video/WIsHNHIBReo/видео.html Let us know if this helps!
How long did it take her to get this way. I recently purchased a mare with this same issue. I’ve been lunging her but will now lunge in small circles and back up on a hill. Thanks.
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
Question: do you recommend waiting 2 months to start trotting or was it personal preference? I want to start doing these exercises with my horse because he has a very poor topline (similar to India's) but I'm wondering if/when I should ask him to trot. Maybe just trotting in circles with no obstacles until I see improvement? Thank you for this video! It's very informative!
Hi, well, walk is actually a better gait for strengthening, especially at the start, so I find it more beneficial to focus on walk strengthening exercises for a while. Also, if they’re weak and out of alignment, their trot won’t be great so I prefer to wait until they’re better able, especially in the school - I will trot out hacking/leading a bit earlier. So it depends what stage your horse is at. If they’ve got a pretty solid trot already which is fairly balanced and they’re happy to do it then you can use that as well. If everything falls apart a bit in the trot, spend a bit longer in walk first. Hope that helps! :-)
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
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
Being able to see the physical progress clearly by looking at the paper cut outs was so helpful! I'll have to use that trick to track my boy's progress! I just rescued him and this video gave me a lot of ideas to start him off slowly as right now he looks a lot like India did in the beginning. Thank you!
Thanks ! My 27 year old boy has really lost muscle mass and has a sloped top line. Love these slow and steady exercises.
great development - i like your way of training and treating the horses very much -- great job
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.
I’m just starting to do groundwork exercises with my new mare to build top line so this video was so interesting and educational for me. Some great advice and you can really see the difference in your horse. Really inspiring, thank you!! ❤
Thank you so much for your feedback - that is so great to hear! And so wonderful that you are doing groundwork exercises with your mare ❤️
Wow, wonderful to watch how you train. It's inspiring! Thx also for the measure trick with the paper. I might use that, too.
Absolutely loved this! Shared with a few ppl as well🥰
There’s so much power in just a walk!
Amazing video, thank you! Can't wait to try some of these out with my older horse.
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.
Great video and amaaaaaaazing environment!! As a Dutch person I am really jealous of those hills and mountains ;)
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.
That was absolutely beautiful. I love this kind of stuff so much you have no idea.
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).
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!
What a beautiful property.
Thank you for your video it's wonderful to see the change you have helped India make.
Amazing video! Thanks for sharing, given me some great ideas of how to work my horses on the ground
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!
You're so welcome! That's so great to hear! Let us know how it goes :)
That's great, thanks for sharing what you did ❤
...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.
Thank you very much!
Inspiring. Awesome progress.
Incredibly helpful--thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing, loved the way you presented it and I learnt some new things 🙏
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 🎉😃
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 😊
Fantastic ideas. Thank you so much for sharing ❤
Awesome video and great results! Thanks so much for sharing!
I love the cones exercise. We do the rest but definitely adding those! My ottb s starting a new life from being skeletal.
Great progress. How many sessions of what length were you doing each week?
I love this! Thanks for everything that you show us, how it’s done and what the result is. Thank you very much ❤
Aww great progress ! What a sweet girl!
2.55pm thank you so very much for this information just what I needed right now
This was so helpful. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Researching for my own horse one day. I adore your style of training, I really think I will be able to have a successful and beautiful bond with my horse thanks to your amazing content❤❤❤
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment! That means a lot!
Where is this beautiful place? 🌲🌳
Well done. Very interesting
Thank you. Very informative.
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?
This is wonderful. I’d love to know how you taught her to lift her legs to touch the stick.
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!
Great, informative video
Excellent content!
Can you help me understand a little more about how you made the poster board models of her back?
This video is AMAZING!!
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 🤣!
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 :-)
How often did you exercise? Daily? For how long?
what is that thing called that shes using to measure
Hi, It's a flexi-curve! :)
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!
@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! ✨️
If you don't have hills & poles? Any other tips & tricks?
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!
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!!
Where did you get the mats?
Hi - This is so helpful. Is there a book we're I can follow the Programe step by step? First time horse owner here and I think my horses back isn't looking quite right.
In the CT Club we have an entire step-by-step process on Gymnastic Groundwork. You also get loads of other resources, study groups, presentations as well as live Q&A's so that you can ask specific questions relative to your horse and situation. You can join here: connectiontraining.com/learn-ct-online-2/
How do you make the templates?
I use a flexi-curve to take the measurement, then trace the pattern onto coloured paper and cut them out so there is a clear comparison. I hope that helps :)
Very interesting. Thank you
I know this is an old video, but where did you buy the flexi-curve. Please send me a link
It was a while ago but possibly from amazon! x
@@ConnectionTraining is it specifically for horses?
New to horses and loved the video. Noticed you used treats in training. Advisable?
Hi, thank you for the positive feedback! Yes we use food as a reinforcer a lot with R+ training. If you want to know more we have a whole video on Which Treats to use when Clicker Training Your Horse here: ruclips.net/video/WIsHNHIBReo/видео.html
Happy Horse Training :) xx
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?
We actually have a RUclips video discussing which treats to use when and why :) - ruclips.net/video/WIsHNHIBReo/видео.html
Can you do these exercises under saddle and get the same results especially the hill work?
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.
How often in a week for example
4-6 sessions a week :)
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?
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?
they're called flexi-curves - a google search will bring them up :-)
I have a horse who does have some atrophe in the left shoulder area but she was kind of born this way. I am trying to work on her topline and see a difference in her performance; however, I want to be sure I can actually build these muscles up. As a result, she bares more weight on the right to accommodate. She is soft and subtle everywhere in her body it is just that shoulder. Do you have any suggestions for me?
This is an interesting one. If she was born that way, there could well be some abnormality that is unchangeable. Especially if you've spent some years working on groundwork and have only been able to change it a certain amount. However, that doesn't mean she can't be comfortable, strong and sound (though she may never be totally even on both sides), if you work with her movement patterns. Again, slow, gentle groundwork with lots of attention on what she says she can and can't do, will enable you to see her limits and capabilities. For a case like this (and you probably already are), working alongside vets and bodyworkers is really important.
And, of course, if she can't do certain things comfortably, there's so much you can do with R+ that's not just riding. I had an arab with a deformed hoof (missing a navicular bone). He was always really clear about what he was comfortable doing and what he wasn't, so we worked on that. He was never able to be ridden, but loved short walks in hand, some groundwork (more on one rein than the other), and loads of fun games such as horse agility obstacles, trick training etc.
Good luck and happy horse training 🙂
Question, my mare is beyond asymmetrical due to racing in USA. I do two thirds work on weak side and one third on race direction. Should I switch to half and half again?
Either approach is fine. I recommend keeping an eye on both physical and emotional progress to help you balance it up through the sessions. Technically you can probably balance a horse up faster by doing what you're doing. However, I usually do 50/50 even though it's slower because it also builds body awareness, control, ability etc on both sides - not just about building muscles. This actually applies to you, too, as we all have preferred sides as well, so it gives you the chance to practice working with your horse from both sides, with both hands etc so that you're both as connected and able on both sides. Also, working the weaker side is harder, so some horses can find the training a bit too much and lose enthusiasm if it's usually hard and they don't get to practice the things that they find easier, too. You can always mix it up through the sessions as well, depending on what you're working on and how your horse is feeling to get the best of both worlds. Hope that helps, happy horse training!
What height are your cones
hmm, I think they're about 60cm. Of course you can use different heights depending on what you've got, height of your horse etc.
How many times a week were you working her?
Hi! I was working her 4-6 sessions a week. Sessions were between 20-60 minutes long. I hope that's helpful X
Just subscribed
This video was so helpful. I now know where to start. Did you use supplements to help her muscles grow?
Well, the right nutrition is really important. She’s on ad lib hay with extra feed of beet pulp, Lucerne and some soy. I don’t feed cereals, molassed or other high sugar feeds. I find the right nutrition really depends on the individual horse and where you live because the nutrition in the basic forage varies so much. If in doubt, ask a local nutritionist who should know best how to advise you.
How often did you work with her? Daily?
What treats are you feeding?
We actually have a new RUclips video explaining how to choose the right treats for you and your horse during training: ruclips.net/video/WIsHNHIBReo/видео.html Let us know if this helps!
Dis you practice everyday?
Hi, so this case study was for 3 months. In those months I did between 4-6 sessions a week and each session was anywhere between 20-60 mins long :)
How long did it take her to get this way. I recently purchased a mare with this same issue. I’ve been lunging her but will now lunge in small circles and back up on a hill. Thanks.
Hi, so this case study was for 3 months. In those months I did between 4-6 sessions a week and each session was anywhere between 20-60 mins long :)
@@ConnectionTraining 60 minutes. That’s a long time.
How often Should i do Theese exercises ? Every day?
Hi, so this case study was for 3 months. In those months I did between 4-6 sessions a week and each session was anywhere between 20-60 mins long :)
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
I have the same question
It's this every day for 3 months x
Question: do you recommend waiting 2 months to start trotting or was it personal preference? I want to start doing these exercises with my horse because he has a very poor topline (similar to India's) but I'm wondering if/when I should ask him to trot. Maybe just trotting in circles with no obstacles until I see improvement?
Thank you for this video! It's very informative!
Hi, well, walk is actually a better gait for strengthening, especially at the start, so I find it more beneficial to focus on walk strengthening exercises for a while. Also, if they’re weak and out of alignment, their trot won’t be great so I prefer to wait until they’re better able, especially in the school - I will trot out hacking/leading a bit earlier. So it depends what stage your horse is at. If they’ve got a pretty solid trot already which is fairly balanced and they’re happy to do it then you can use that as well. If everything falls apart a bit in the trot, spend a bit longer in walk first. Hope that helps! :-)
Poor girl has done so well
I keep trying to teach my horse to lay down he is stubborn 😢 I am in Spain without the s