Backing up is a great exercise to practice, I practice this every day with mine.
Not only is it really helpful when it comes to keeping safe and getting them to move out of your space and for opening gates on the ground and ridden. But also it encourages them to flex through their spine and pelvis and engage their abdominal muscles and glutes๐ช
The important thing is to keep their head low to prevent them hollowing through their back, I cheat here by using treats ๐The other thing is to keep them straight, maybe do along a fence line or between 2 poles if they tend to wiggle. And finally only ask for a few steps at a time.
Scamp
This is Scamp the yorkie, he had an intervertebral disc extrusion that left him unable to use his hind legs. He has now underdone laminectomy surgery and been having physio over the past few weeks and is already walking again with just the occasional wobble ๐คฉ such a great little dog โค๏ธ
Highdown Agility Dogs
Watched these guys at Highdown Dog Agility training last night, so impressive , amazing display of dogs and their humans working together and they are so unbelievably fast and having so much fun ๐๐ชโญ๏ธ
Star enjoying his H-wave treatment โค๏ธ
Starโs your typical TB ex racer, heโs a big lad but weak through his back muscles and glutes and generally stiff in the hind end.
H wave stimulates the muscles around the spine and pelvis, improving their movement and function.