Besides lunging, in-hand work, stretches, & massaging, what has everyone else done while waiting for a new saddle?
The current loaner saddle isn’t the best fit for the horse so I’m trying to find other things to do to help build muscle while waiting for the new saddle.
ride bareback
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Ride bareback or if that doesn’t seem safe, take your horse for a long trails walk in hand. Try jogging with your horse!!
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When I was waiting for the saddle fitter I just did a lot of ground work and bonding. It can be a bummer but the ground work paid off later and I was grateful for that time.
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If the horse is safe, and if it doesn’t bother your hips, ride bareback. It’s also the warmest option this time of year!
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It doesn’t sound like this is doable but whenever I send out my saddle to be reflocked/repaired or have to buy a new to my horse saddle because he’s a shape shifter, I ride in my western saddle which is much easier to accommodate his shape-shifter tendencies. Perhaps you could borrow one if bareback isn’t for you.
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Clicker training/R+ is SO FUN!
I started experimenting with it during the fires last year because there was so much smoke my whole lesson program collapsed. In desperation, I watched some videos and started doing clicker training with my students. It was a hit, the horses love it, and… The infrequently talked about side effect is that it completely improves your timing for your riding.
As far as working the horse goes, learned a double longe. Learn about longing over Cavaletti. Beg people to let you borrow their saddles…
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If bareback seems too scary, using a bareback pad (the ones with the surcingles) would make you feel more secure. They even make some with stirrups now, although I haven’t used one of those.
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The plain Best Friends pad has LOTS of stick!
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If the loaner is good enough for walk work, look up strength building groundpole/cavaletti exercises. Builds up stabilizing muscles for stifles, at least. Also look up isometric exercises you can do from the ground. May need to put “rehab” in the search bar.
Also long walking hacks if your winter environment permits it.
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Working on conditioning like hill work & cavaletti! Really great so then when you get your new saddle, the horse is all fit and ready to go
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