Exercises that have been shared with me before: (a) rigging the horse (surcingle or Pessoa), (b) "long and low" under saddle, and (c) focusing on hind-end engagement on hills such as on trails or fields (for a horse that needed to build hind end muscle and work on maintaing their topline). It is far better if he can be turned out, at least for a few hours every day. I am hoping to brainstorm about good topline building exercises whether on the ground or during flatwork. But there are many things that can be done to maintain the health of an older horse so that his organs and other body parts function well, in spite of the aging process. side reins and longing definitely can develop a topline. Developed by showjumper Nelson Pessoa, the Pessoa Training Aid works with your horse helping him to find his optimum balance and rhythm. Walking around, grazing, playing with his friends will all be beneficial. Topline is the muscle groups that run along a horse’s spine and stretch along the spine from the end of the neck at the wither area, down the back, land over the top of the hip into the croup area. Remember that a well-muscled topline cannot come about through feed changes alone. A horse standing in a stable has an idle topline. Exercises & Stretches to Build Topline. The horse must stretch to the contact on the side reins not lean on them or hide from them. ... Other excellent ways to build muscle include lunging with side reins, working over cavalletti both on the lunge line and under saddle, and walking or trotting up hills at a level appropriate to the horse’s condition.
Hillwork.

Last year, my older gelding Khami, at 24, was diagnosed with Cushings. Lunging. It’s all about working those muscles! RE: Lunging to build topline I agree, it takes months and months to build up topline/bum, with a combination of good work and feed. Lunging in side reigns to encourage natural balance and topline build up "Carrot Stretches" to help her loosen up any tightness Transition work on the lunge line. Author: Designed by an International Show Jumper, the Pessoa Lunging System works to encourage balance and gradual build-up of the topline.. Product Description.
In order to make build topline in horses quickly and effectively, you might need to make a few lifestyle changes. As you probably know from personal experience, climbing up a hill is hard work! The Pessoa creates a fluid contact by a series of ropes and pulleys that encourage your horse to take weight off his forehand, work through his back and bring his hindquarters underneath him. If your horse is stiff, blocked, braced, tense or crooked, its topline will be negatively affected. Tip 1 “We take our horses to nearby gallops with an incline. Itty bit steps, uneven gaits, trailing hocks, or forehand heaviness will negatively affect the horse’s topline. Develop Your Horse’s Topline. Here are five ideas for ridden activities that will help your horse build topline (and other important muscle groups!). Think of the visual plumpness of botoxed lips – a well done job. I normally tend to ride rather than lunge but the youngster is very under developed and I want to introduce some lunging to help him along. Does anyone have any comments on the above, or anything to add to them? One thing… This system is made from ropes, clips, and pulleys and can be used in four different positions, depending on the horse's level of fitness and training.