03/16/2026
This video shows the entire body working all muscles are firing, head is relaxed and freely moving, even back to dock of tail is moving back and forth, shoulder muscles working, even can see his core muscles working. What does this all mean, what or why is this muscle restricted, is it important?
If horses can't build strength throughout the entire body that is when we get issues, hocks, shoulders, sore backs. Sometimes it is conformation, so if in conformation it is always an ongoing struggle to keep strength built up. If it is in conditioning or age of horse, again takes time but can get it there, aged horses do get arthritis or scar tissue need it moving fully and correctly to keep them feeling good. If it is in training probably one of hardest to change. If the head is set "past vertical" on every ride what is really happening is you are restricting front end movement, stopping the shoulders from moving properly, the shoulder muscles become hollow. The top line becomes week, the entire spine isn't moving freely, the rear end is not supported because it doesn't have the strength, the joints aren't moving freely because the body is weak. You can put a band aid with supplements or injections but what is the real issue? Not only over vertical but is the head way high in the air? So many things to keep our ponies happy, then you have injuries and illnesses. As you can see in this video even the dock of the tail moves slightly side to side, it is part of the spine should be moving. FYI this horse 6 years ago was said not to be staying sound on hock injections, has not had one injection is one of the hardest turning and stopping horses around, he does like and feel great with water treatments for sure.
I love helping these athletes for sure
