‘Handsome is as handsome does.’ Well, not really!
Don’t confuse your horse’s conformation with his posture. Conformational traits such as the length of bones, are genetically determined. There is not a lot you can do to change conformation. But you can have a profound effect on postural traits, such as the way muscles and connective tissues hold those bones in position. Good posture results from a flexible back supported by strong core muscles in the abdomen and thorax. Good posture means biomechanical efficiency and physiological effectiveness. Your horse, however, will generally have a loose underline, a restricted topline and move in a more or less hollow manner. This combination of postural traits, which equine bodyworkers call ‘lordosis’, is the reverse of good posture. Posture can be changed. To improve your endurance horse’s posture, simply incorporate exercises that develop Core Strength and Flexibility (CSF) into his conditioning program. Not only will he perform better but he really will look handsome.
Why Not Dressage?
Riding gymnastic exercises in an arena is the traditional way to develop CSF. However, there are several reasons why dressage is not necessarily the best way to improve the posture of your horse. Some riders lack technical riding skills. Some riders, having acquired an assortment of breaks, bashes and bruises over years of riding, lack the necessary balance and symmetry. Some riders lack the time or money to acquire instruction. Some riders attend lessons but find it difficult to find dressage instructors who understand the needs of horses. Finally, some riders simply lack interest – which is why they ride on the trail not in the arena. Dressage is not the only way to improve your horse’s posture.
Un-mounted Exercises
By incorporating the following CSF exercises into your horse’s conditioning program you can positively affect his posture and performance. These exercises work generally to build muscle, develop balance and increase muscle elasticity. More specifically, the increased flexion of the hind leg, particularly articulation of the hock with concurrent lowering of the hip, causes the muscles of the torso and abdomen to strengthen. The muscle of the back are rounded and pushed up. The muscles of the shoulder, particularly the deep muscles below the scapula, are limbered which allows the forehand to elevate and the withers to ‘bounce’ higher. Holding the stretching exercises for an extended period restores range of motion and allows ‘muscle memory’ to take effect.
While working your horse through his CSF routine keep the following DOs and DONTs in mind:
DOs
- Do warm your horse up with 10 minutes of vigorous walking before starting a CSF session
- Do practice the exercises regularly. Several times each week while your horse is learning. Once your horse is performing higher intensity work a single weekly session is sufficient.
- Do put the saddle on. As many endurance horses automatically ‘hollow’ when saddled it is beneficial for your horse to perform these exercises wearing tack. The non-habitual nature of the exercises provides the opportunity to ‘train’ your horse’s nervous system to associate the saddle with stretching the back and engaging the hindquarter.
- Do asses your horse’s performance carefully. If at any time your horse becomes tired, anxious, or starts knocking poles then reduce the intensity of the exercise and be sure to finish on a good note. Mental and physical relaxation is imperative for success – only in a relaxed state can your horse develop the desired neuromuscular coordination.
DON’Ts
- Don’t progress too quickly. Initial gains in performance arise from increased neuromuscular efficiency. In the first six weeks your horse’s performance will quickly, even startlingly, improve. Most of this initial improvement is because his body has ‘learnt’ how to perform the exercise. After six weeks of regular practice, gains in performance more accurately reflect true gains in strength and flexibility.
- Don’t follow a set routine. Although you should aim to gradually increase the degree of difficulty of these exercises don’t be afraid to back off if you feel something isn’t quite right. Some days your horse will be feeling well and on other days he will not be interested. Strength training a tired or distracted horse is a sure-fire route to injury!
- Don’t use this routine if your horse is roach backed or has strongly sloping quarters. This routine is developed for horses which tend to hollow through the back and push, rather than carry, with the hindleg. Using it on hyper-flexed horses will only exacerbate their condition.
The Fan
Place four or five poles so they fan out and away from a central resting point on a half 44 gallon drum, stack or five tires or similar object (Figure 1). Begin by leading your horse in a larger circle which includes only the outermost edge of the pole fan. Gradually decrease the size of the circle towards the center of the fan. As the circle decreases the poles become closer and higher. If your horse becomes anxious or starts knocking poles, increase the size of the circle until he can easily cope with the pole distance and height. Be sure to work in both directions.
Cavaletti and the Climb Through/ Stretch Through
Walking through cavaletti is an excellent way to develop your horse’s core strength and flexibility. If your horse is not familiar with cavaletti begin slowly. Start by walking over one cavaletti set at the lowest height. When your horse is comfortable walking over this, add another. For most horses the comfortable distance between cavaletti is around 90cm: adjust as necessary for longer or shorter striding horses. Add cavaletti until your horse is comfortably walking over seven or so. Next, raise the fourth cavaletti to medium height. Then raise the sixth cavaletti to medium height, then the third, etc. Raise the cavaletti one at a time and only as your horse develops confidence. It may be necessary to shorten the distances between these raised cavaletti by 5-10cm. For advanced horses you can gradually set all the cavaletti at maximum height or, better still, create a Climb Through/Stretch Through.
You need two rows of cavaletti to make the Climb Through/Stretch Through (Figure 2). The first row consists of four cavaletti set close together (80-90cm) at maximum height. The second row consists of three cavaletti on the lowest height and set far enough apart that your horse has to lift and reach with his front legs (95-110cm).
The Shoulder-In
In this lateral movement your horse’s forehand travels on a path inside that of the hindquarters, with even bending along the spine. The degree of bending is the same as you would expect on a small circle. To introduce the shoulder-in begin by having your horse walk a small circle (6-10m in diameter) around you (Figure 3a). Keep a soft or loose hold on the lead-rope and point a dressage whip or carrot stick toward his quarters. After three or four repetitions allow him to take a few straight steps along the side of your work area before bringing him back on the small circle around you. Repeat this process until your horse anticipates moving onto the circle after a few straight steps. Once your horse is familiar with the procedure you can ask for a step or two of shoulder-in.
The next time you allow the horse to move along the straight side simply step toward his shoulder and bring the whip toward his flanks (Figure 3b). Initially it may be necessary to ‘gently feel’ the lead-rope to keep him looking toward the center of the work area. Ask only one or two steps before resuming the circle. Gradually build up the number of shoulder-in steps between circles as your horse becomes more familiar with the movement. The shoulder-in is physically and psychically demanding and must be developed harmoniously and with trust. Merely pushing or pulling your horse into the required form will have no gymnastic effect. Horses and riders with necessary equitation skills should practice the shoulder-in under saddle.
Stretches
Perform the following stretches during breaks between the above exercises. This allows your horse time to catch his breath after the metabolic demands of strength training. To be effective each stretch needs to be held for three minutes. This is the time it takes to effect ‘muscle memory’, where the muscle cells come to recognize the stretched position as normal. Initially this may be difficult for your horse. Take time and develop the stretches over several weeks. Remember a gentle stretch held for a long period of time is more effective than a stronger stretch held for a short period of time.
- Wither lift. Stand level with the girth facing the side of your horse. Bend your legs and apply the fingers of both hands to the midline of his undercarriage, directly behind area of the forelegs, in an upward direction. The withers should rise up noticeably (Figure 4). ‘Stoic’ horses, those who are desensitized to touch due to pressure from the saddle and girth, may require a very firm upward pressure. Use your fingernails if necessary but remember to use the least pressure possible – don’t you do the work for him.
Figure 4
- Lumbar tuck. Only perform this stretch if you feel confident your horse will not kick. Stand to one side of your horse and at the hindquarter facing toward his head. Place one hand on each side of his hindquarter, level with and around 10cm to the side of the point of croup. With firm and increasing pressure slide your index or middle finger back to the point of buttock. The lumbar area will rise and the hindquarters will tuck (Figure 5).
Figure 5
After Work Care
One way to reduce post-exercise soreness is to provide the muscles with readily assimilated fuel by feeding an easily absorbed carbohydrate, such as extruded grain, immediately after a CSF session. This also helps to build the muscles as there is a two hour window after exercise in which glucose (muscle fuel) has an increased effect. You may also wish to massage your horse to assist in the removal of toxins that accumulate during strength work. Use long, flowing strokes to soothe the muscles and increase circulation. A thorough grooming will achieve the same result.
