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Post by gratefulknits on Jun 5, 2007 13:31:42 GMT -5
Another newbie question: what is a tummy lift (or is it a tummy tuck?)? I keep seeing people refer to this "exercise" that they are doing with their sway-backed horses, and don't know what it is. I have images of ladies standing on mounting blocks, arms wrapped around their horses tummy, shouting "Ok, old girl, lift! Release! Lift! Go for the burn!" and struggling to pull a big horse tummy up in the air. What is the true story? If I don't have to dress in lycra and a sweat band, maybe I'll try them with Gualala.  |
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Post by jenm on Jun 5, 2007 16:54:06 GMT -5
Well, down here in the Bay Area, we have our horses belly dancing and that firms up the tummy so fast you wouldn't believe it. This is how we got Jamaica to lose her baby belly and she has firmed up a lot. That music can sort of grow on a person...
Hee, hee. Actually, there is a place on a horse's belly where if you touch it, it causes a muscle flexing in the abdominal region. Here is an official description:
The belly lift is the equine version of the sit up. You perform this exercise with the horse held by a handler in the first attempts. What you are going to do is “tickle” the horses belly to cause him to contract his abdominal muscles to lift the spine. Some horses resent this in the first attempts and will kick at their stomach as if to dislodge a fly. Keep your body well out of harms way and do not overdo the stimulation.
Place your hands under the horse with your fingers up. The “spot” is about 6 inches back from where the horse stomach becomes chest. Press your fingernails UP firmly but gently until you see the horses back rise as the abdominal muscles tighten. With some horses you may have to move your fingers in a scratching motion to get results. If it still does not result in a lifting of the back, move your hands to another position and try again.
Most horses are fine with this procedure and it can be performed with the horse tied after the first attempts. Ask the horse for 2 repetitions, from each side. Do not over do this! It can be hard work for the horse and you don't want to make him sore!
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Post by jessiegirl1981 on Jun 5, 2007 17:59:39 GMT -5
My chiro also had me do a lil bum tickle and that got he muscle working as well
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Post by gratefulknits on Jun 5, 2007 23:01:33 GMT -5
My chiro also had me do a lil bum tickle and that got he muscle working as well  Wow, if I had silly images of the tummy lift, I have really really silly images of the bum tickle! Does it involve feathers? I truly can't imagine either of my girls allowing it, whatever the heck it is! But thanks for the responses, I will see if I can figure out what the right spot is for the lifts and try them with Lala. And if you read later of my untimely demise, you'll know I didn't manage to keep my body "well out of harms way"! And jen, I'm going to HAVE to come down your way to watch your herd in their belly dancing class; do they wear sequins and everything? I will try to find some horse-sized castanets! |
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Post by jenm on Jun 5, 2007 23:37:31 GMT -5
And jen, I'm going to HAVE to come down your way to watch your herd in their belly dancing class; do they wear sequins and everything? I will try to find some horse-sized castanets! Hope, it's not belly dancing without sequins and they don't need castenets, they have hooves! Oh, but when you come, could you please bring a snake charmer? <insert snake charming music here>   ;D In all seriousness though, I'm sure you will have no problem finding "the spot" on the belly. The bum tickle is fun to try also. I haven't tried the feathers yet though. Will check it out and get back to you! |
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Post by beckybee on Jun 7, 2007 15:02:51 GMT -5
In addition to the belly lifts and butt tucks, another recommendation I had for Zephyr was to place some obstacles for him to step over. I placed 8-12" diameter poles across his pen that he couldn't avoid. This makes them really lift their hind feet high. He probably crossed this 20+ times per day. I had to to take them out before I put the other boys in with him because they get pretty rambunctious together.
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Post by gratefulknits on Jun 7, 2007 21:46:30 GMT -5
Thanks Becky. The size of the paddock my girls are in is such that I'd have to chop down a redwood tree to give them an obstacle they can't avoid! And I'm just about as willing to kill a redwood as I am to hurt a horse! But it gives me the idea to put something down and lead her over it a few times every day. Sounds a lot safer than tummy lifts and bum tickles! (Can you tell I'm a big sissy?)
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Post by beckybee on Jun 11, 2007 22:24:37 GMT -5
I just layed (laid?) four ten foot poles end to end. I'm an even bigger sissy - I make him exercise when I'm not even there! How's that for cheating?
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Wow, if I had silly images of the tummy lift, I have really really silly images of the bum tickle! Does it involve feathers? I truly can't imagine either of my girls allowing it, whatever the heck it is!
;D