Strengthen Her Hind End

I'm trying to find a new trainer because my old one moved away, but while I'm searching I want to start practicing. I want to strengthen my mare's hind end because I've noticed sometimes she'll just fling herself over a jump instead of using her hind end. I've been thinking about placing a trotting pole about one horse stride away from a small cross rail, and start doing a lot of hill work. Good idea? Any other suggestions?

When I cliniced with Bill Hoos - he had shown myself and my "group" lots of great exercises to strengthen our horses hind ends.

One, was lots of circles - but proper circles.

Also Hill Work is great - nothing wrong with hill work. Also, turn on the haunches and turn on the forehand. What happens is that our horse has to drop their back end, and cross over themselves - get underneith themselves to do so.

Another one, is transition work, with backing up. For example - walk a few strides, then halt, back up and push into a trot. Same with trot into canter.

I agree with hill work, and transitions. You can use the poles too for trot and canter (about 9-12 feet away from the jump depending on what gear you are in). Gymnastics will help too. Good luck!

Hey, that's what I'm working on too! My trainer is having me do several trot cavaletti's in a row. This makes him push off and lift his feet, or he trips and falls on his face, lol. Oh, and lots of transitions, circles, bending, direction changes, etc.