10/10/2024
Annette Schmidt
Why I do follow ups
So, for the most part I try to keep the horses on a monthly rotation.
This allows me to see what muscle groups the horse favours and encourage the horse to use his musculature as a whole.
Growth, workload , ageing and pregnacy are all factors that play a roll in your horses body changing shape .
Any Physio , Practitioner, Bodyworker wil agree our follow ups are extremely under rated . A 4 week cycle gives your horse the encouragement to use its musculature as a whole (not just parts of its body ) . Follow ups redirect lazy muscle groups and put them back on track ensuring that the horse uses the muscles they do not necessarily favour .
For example a horse that struggles to work in a good frame might be sensetive in its front and back . I wil pick up areas of sensitivity and work through the discomfort , and encourage the strengthening and development of a stronger healthier muscle .
A horse not using its entire body is equivalent to a right handed person trying to develope the skill of writing with its left hand , it feels awkward and wrong to do so to start . The more effort and practice you give to your left hand the more effortless the tasks becomes . If you then only write with your left hand the ability to write with your right hand would then become a struggle, the follow ups ensure that your horse uses its entire body in the correct and balanced way .
Please keep your horse on a good rotation