I have mixed feelings about the way Stinker looks. Does he look fantastic compared to EPM Stinker? Yes. But he isn't where I want him to be. He is filling out and gaining muscle in the correct places, so I just need to be patient.
I really dislike how he looks from this angle. He is very crooked and uneven. I have been working on straightness, but you can easily tell how crooked he is and has been. This is a problem he has from the beginning, but the EPM weakness has highlighted the problem.
In the pictures below, March is on top followed by February and finally January on the bottom. I think that I got lucky with how his neck was being held in February.
My TB Marley had some major physical issues that caused her to rush, buck, dance in one place, etc and I couldn't figure out what was going on. Luckily there is a vet in the area that specializes in postural rehabilitation and works with the biomechanics of the horse and helps teach the horse how to use their muscles correctly. I have noticed a MAJOR difference in her in just a short couple of months of work and Marley is on her way to being stronger through her top line. Besides what the vet does I have to have Marley perform a series of stretches that has her use her muscles correctly (or more correctly anyways :)) and it's amazing how much of a significant improvement I've seen with just those stretches! So basically my point is maybe they would help Stinker get stronger? here's an article that talks about the different stretches and there of course is more info on the web too :) Hope this helps Stinker!!! http://www.horsecollaborative.com/hilary-clayton-biomechanical-interactions-amongst-rider-tack-horse/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=horseaddict&utm_campaign=rider-tack
ReplyDeleteThanks, I've read a number of articles similar to that and I'm *trying* to adhere to those things but sometimes Stinker's greenness and personality don't mesh well with what I want. We are on the right track it's just slower due to our inexperience.
Deletethere's definitely progress happening!! seems like his back is filling in a little behind the withers? i get frustrated with my own monthly confo shots bc it feels like the progress is maddeningly slow... but then suddenly i'll see something and go 'huh, ok, that IS better!'
ReplyDeleteYeah it is very subtle and I'm not sure if it is a lighting trick or not. I'm trying to take them at similar times and in the same spot but you know how that goes.
DeleteI'm hoping that over time I will start to see more and more changes from January. The month to month is hard to see.
Subtle progress is still progress, try to be patient :) (easier said than done!)
ReplyDeleteI am terrible at being patient. I want things now!!!
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