Correct posture

Before starting any muscle-building programme, the first thing is to exclude pain. This should include checking your horse’s saddle fit and foot balance, as well as a physical examination by a vet.

“If a horse is in pain, he won’t work correctly and you won’t build muscle,” says Gillian. “Once pain has been excluded, you want to work your horse in a posture that is activating the muscles you want to develop. It’s no good reinforcing a movement pattern where the horse’s head is up, his back is in extension and hollowed and his hindlegs aren’t engaged.”

The correct posture is where the head and neck are slightly lowered, and the ears are level with the withers. The neck should be horizontal and the nose slightly in front of the vertical.

“If the head is too far down, and they look like they are sniffing the ground, it means they are putting a lot of weight on the forehand and not switching on the right muscles,” explains Gillian. “When the horse is in the correct position, we are looking for them to activate their core muscles and lift up through their back. They should flex their hindlimbs so they bend through their hip, stifle, hock and fetlock as they swing their leg forward.

“We also want them to reach forward underneath their body and tuck their pelvis in with each hind step. This creates hindlimb engagement.”

The following three exercises from Gillian will help to build topline. By covering a variety of ridden, lungeing and in-hand exercises, you will work the required muscles in your horse as well as prevent you both from becoming bored.