Pushing Power VS Carrying Power in the Horse's Hind Legs

Description

Good dressage training is very systematic and progressive, with the horse's physical development taking place in a logical progression. And in that progression, development of pushing power of the horse's hind legs comes before carrying power. As developing pushing power strengthens all of the structures of the horse's hind legs, which will then allow the horse to carry more weight behind for longer periods of time without injury or fatigue. Look at the lovely picture above of a Spanish Riding School rider doing a Levade - which is the ultimate exercise in regards to the horse carrying it's weight over its hind legs. You can just see how strong the hind legs must be to do that! Let's discuss what exercises help to build pushing power, and which ones encourage the horse to carry more weight behind....