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As some of you know, my horse Macadoo (Mac) and I barrel race and pole bend. In August he and I had a great fall on some black top, and I broke my Tibia. He was ridden from August-October for me, but slowly. (It was just trail riding.) I got my cast and boot off in October and we are slowly coming back to working on the pattern and more. He lost some of his muscle definition from me not riding him everyday like I did before and I was wondering what I could do to strengthen/develop them. He wasn't very strong in his butt area before and I also would like help/advice on strenghtening them. Right now we are working on roll backs, figure eights, and slowly are working on the barrel and pole pattern...thank you in advance for the replies and I hope you all can give me some good advice. :)
Ride Hard, Run Harder, Rodeo Even Harder Rodeo is a sport, a way of life and your going to have to get used to it!Thanks la kota for the AMAZING siggy! 
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I'm assuming you're all better? It sounds like it but that was very fast! I guess it's just like my doctors say, bone heals fast and tendon heals slowly.
I would do LOTS of walking. Make sure your saddle fits (or else it will just hinder the process, and most horses lose a good amount of muscle along the back and withers. You might have to borrow a smaller saddle for a few weeks, or pad up for a little while). Walk over poles, logs, and up and down hills. Try to keep your horse at a good pace and tempo. You don't want him dragging his feet, and you don't want him jittery and quick. If he has a little energy, I suggest lunging or free lunging him first so he can focus on walking nicely. Stop for the day when he gets tired. You will probably be surprised how quiclky he builds up stamina, though.
When he can walk for an hour without getting very fatigued, try a jog. Same thing, except he should be able to jog for a half hour straight before loping. Same thing with loping, then galloping (although I don't think you'll be loping and galloping for that long!).
Good luck getting you and your horse back into shape!
 
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Junior Member
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Thank you for the response. :) We just got him an impact gel saddle pad and he really is enjoying it. :) And yes. I am all better. He's getting more in shape everyday. Time to start rodeoing again..haha. Thanks again.
Ride Hard, Run Harder, Rodeo Even Harder Rodeo is a sport, a way of life and your going to have to get used to it!Thanks la kota for the AMAZING siggy!
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Starting Member
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One of the 'horse experts'(not in a bad way) on here said that a good way to build muscle and get a barrel horse in shape is to - trot/jog a mile
- lope (on one lead) one mile
- lope (on the other lead) one mile
- long trot half a mile
- slow trot half a mile
all of this without walking in between. I'm not saying it will work for sure but you could try it if you want to :)
if your not making dust then your eating it__the hardest thing about barrel racing is the ground__if it can't kill you, then its not a sport (or then I'm not interested)__barrel racing is a drag race...with some detours__it's a speed thing...you wouldn't understand__if barrel racing were easy, they'd call it show jumping__turn'n'brun__all barrel racers wil have to be cremated-the ground is never good enough for them__ride it like you stole it__chasing cans__the Surgeon General never said anything about smoking the competition__3 barrels-2 hearts-1 passion
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Junior Member
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I will try all of that. Thank you. :) He's building it back nicely.
Ride Hard, Run Harder, Rodeo Even Harder Rodeo is a sport, a way of life and your going to have to get used to it!Thanks la kota for the AMAZING siggy!
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 2/25/2010 9:39:14 PM
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| Trot trot trot! Do figure eights, circles and practice your patterns. Just ease him back slowly, don't start full speed right away if he's out of shape. Hills (if available) are awesome too.
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