I've put a lot of thought into a fitness regime for my boy to build topline and hind strength, as well as overall fitness. He's not broke to saddle so I am doing ground exercises. What I've settled on is 10 minutes each direction of easy trotting in the round pen with two ground poles to encourage him to lift his feet. We take a five minute walking break between directions and after the session. This will be repeated every two days for two weeks, then I will move on to 15 minutes each direction. On his "off" days we go on trail walks, and do ground driving to prepare for winter. He has virtually no topline yet his hind quarters seem pretty strong.
I have a few concerns which I'd like advice on;
How does my schedule look? Do you think it needs any tweaking?
He drags his hind feet in the dirt sometimes. I've chalked it up to being lazy so I will most likely add more ground poles as he gets better.
What is your general critique on him? He'll be used for ranch work, I think he has a nice working trot. His heads a bit high but we'll work on that.
He gets free choice grass and hay, no grain. He's completely sound and healthy as well.
Some pictures to show his different gaits.
Video
If you guys need anything else just say the word!
I have a few concerns which I'd like advice on;
How does my schedule look? Do you think it needs any tweaking?
He drags his hind feet in the dirt sometimes. I've chalked it up to being lazy so I will most likely add more ground poles as he gets better.
What is your general critique on him? He'll be used for ranch work, I think he has a nice working trot. His heads a bit high but we'll work on that.
He gets free choice grass and hay, no grain. He's completely sound and healthy as well.
Some pictures to show his different gaits.
Video
If you guys need anything else just say the word!