Training the back muscles of a dressage horse

Why the back is so important

A horse's back muscles connect the forehand and hindquarters and form the bridge through which impulsion is transmitted. In dressage, you increasingly ask your horse to bend, collect, and swing through the back. If the back musculature is too weak or too tense, this blocks the flow. The result: a stiff stride, a held-up back, and a horse that struggles to truly come into the hand. Investing in back exercises is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity for every dressage horse that wants to progress beyond the basic gaits.

Signs that the back needs attention

Do you recognize any of these points in your horse? Then targeted back training is worth the effort.

• The back pulls away or dips when saddling
• The horse steps short behind and doesn't carry through
• Unusual behavior when tacking up or with back contact
• Visible muscle asymmetry along the spine
• Difficulty assuming a relaxed, round frame

Groundwork exercises as foundation

Start without the saddle. Stretching exercises on the ground, also called 'carrot stretches,' are proven effective in activating the deep back muscles. Have your horse bring its nose to the chest, to each flank (toward the knee), and to the belly at least 3 times per week. Hold each position for 3 to 5 seconds. Combine this with manual stimulation along the flex line: gentle pressure with a blunt tool or your thumb along the abdominal muscles reflexively activates the back musculature. After 4 to 6 weeks of consistent practice, you'll see noticeable improvements in muscle development in most horses.

Longing techniques for back health

• Longe on the cavesson with a low neck position, at least 10 minutes per session
• Work in the chambon or pessoa for moderate deepening of the back swing
• Alternating tempi in walk and trot activate the stabilizers of the back
• Polonaise and work over cavalletti (height 10-15 cm) for coordination and strength
• Working on slightly sloped terrain strengthens the hindquarters and relieves the back

Under saddle: building in three phases

Divide the buildup into clear phases to prevent overload. In phase 1 (weeks 1-4), focus exclusively on warm-up riding in a long, low frame for 15 to 20 minutes per session. Phase 2 (weeks 5-8) adds lengthened strides, large 20-meter circles, and simple lateral exercises such as shoulder-in. In phase 3 (weeks 9-12), gradually build collection with smaller hindleg exercises such as renvers and travers. Rest is as important as work: plan at least one full rest day per week.

Nutrition and recovery support muscle building

Muscles only build with proper nutrition. Ensure adequate crude protein (at least 10-12% in the ration), supplemented with magnesium and vitamin E for muscle function and recovery. Movement in the pasture or on a walker after intensive training significantly speeds recovery. Ask your veterinarian or nutrition advisor for a ration check if you're serious about back health. In the EquiSight horse dossier, you can keep nutrition data and training notes side by side, so you recognize patterns faster.

Measuring and tracking progress

Without measurement, there's no improvement. Take a short video of your horse on the longe in trot every four weeks, filmed from the side. Pay attention to the degree of back swing and the activity of the hindquarters. Also note the reaction when saddling and the willingness to come into the hand. EquiCoach helps you interpret your notes and provides concrete suggestions based on what you enter in the calendar. This way, you always have a clear picture of where you stand and what the next logical step is.