Helping pony build muscle?

[Live4Horses]

When I say round out, I mean build muscle so he's more barrel shaped. Hopefully by summer.
My pony has poor muscles around his withers and shoulders do to an ill fitting saddle he was being ridden in before we bought him.
I had a saddle expert out fixing his new saddle, and she pointed out that the muscles on his shoulders need building, because the old saddle was repressing him.

How do I work on building his muscles? Like any specific exercises? She said that he will round out, and the best exercise is encouraging him to stretch really low and then walk up hills. Haha beginner's question, how do I ask him to stretch low? And what else can I do? Thanks in advance!

 

[Giggs]

He will fill out, eventually.

Before going into specific exercises, let's talk about nutrition. I'm sure he's been fed fine... but if you want to build significant muscle by the summertime, I would up his feed or add in certain supplements to promote muscle growth. I would talk to your vet as to which option to go with.

So to begin building muscle, start by walking and trotting uphill quite a bit. And do not just do a very slow sitting trot, get his butt moving.

After he gets used to this, you can try cantering uphill (make sure the hill is not too slanted though). And then progress to a hand gallop.

You can also trot poles going uphill.

Now do you jump at all? If so, set up a crossrail or low vertical, and jump going uphill. Once he gets used to these exercises, set up a line going up hill. And after this, a series of bounces.

Jumping will really help improve his muscle. And as a bonus, it also helps him pace to the jump calmer for shows, or general riding.

But if you don't jump, then just do a lot of uphill pole work.

Stretch low? Well... that could mean multiple things. So I'm not sure.

But I would definitely stretch his neck out well before riding, and perhaps after. Just put on the halter and lead rope. Take a treat and put it to his withers, encouraging him to bend his neck and reach for the food. Make him hold the stretch for a few seconds, and do it on both sides.

Have fun =)

 

[Brit and proud.]

Get him walking up and down hills. Trotting poles to lift his legs up. A lot of ground work, mild jumping to make him lift his front legs up. Imagine he's a person, what exercises would you reccomend for someone in the same situation?
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