Read Dr. Gerd Heuschmann's book about Classic vs. "Modern" Dressage and you will read about Leg and Back Movers.
Watch horses that are compressed into a frame and you will see a Leg Mover...
Watch horses allowed to stretch through their frame and you will see a Back Mover...
The labels imply exactly what happens when a horse is ridden in a "compressed" frame as opposed to a "through" frame.
COMPRESSION is created when a horse is ridden from front-to-back and the major focal point of WHERE the horse is ridden from is the rider's reins.
In a compression frame, the horse is ridden with short reins, the legs and seat are used to drive the horse forward, and "into" the bridle. This is what has become to be understood as "Collection"....However, when the reins are shortened and the horse is driven, the opposite happens...
As the legs push the horse forward, the seat tends to be heavy and pushes down on the horse's back, causing tension over the topline, driving the horse's back away from the rider's seat in a concave arch.
The reins are then short and restrictive through the overuse of the halfhalt, creating lack of movement throughout the neck and poll, therefore allowing the horse to drop his/her shoulders (incorrect).
This style of riding creates a horse who is locked in his/her poll, stiff in his/her neck, dropped in his/her back, locked in his/her ribcage, and! not using his/her hindend correctly, therefore heavy on the frontend.
It would SEEM that this would work to ride a horse this way...but what this style of riding creates is a sore and grumpy horse who lacks muscle tone in all the right places. Tense Back. Tense Horse. Only the legs move...
It creates a LEG MOVER.
THROUGH is created when a horse is ridden from back-to-front and the
major focal point of WHERE the horse is ridden from is the rider's body.
In a through frame, the horse is ridden from the body where the legs and seat allow the horse to find the bridle, therefore, be ridden "into" the bridle. "Collection" can also be achieved in this frame, but it takes time as the horse is slowly brought into a state of collection...
As the legs push the horse forward, the seat is soft and allows a "place" for the back. When the seat needs to "drive," it is in an upward, forward motion. The back follows this motion, creating flexion in the belly muscles and the topline.
The rein length can vary with a horse that is "through" depending on where the horse is in his/her training. The halfhalt is still incorporated, except it initiates from the body, before the hand. The "hand" halfhalt reinforces the "body" halfhalt. The reins are like "sticks" and pushed towards the front, giving the horse incentive to find the bit and, eventually, "into the bridle." Given the opportunity, the horse will lower his/her head into a "headset" without much work on your part.
The more green the horse, the longer the frame. The more schooled the horse, the shorter the frame.
HOWEVER, A SCHOOLED HORSE THAT IS THROUGH WILL BE ABLE TO FIND THE LONG AND LOW FRAME NO MATTER WHEN IT IS ASKED.
When a horse is ridden over its topline and allowed to raise the back, the neck naturally balances by stretching down, creating a horse with SPACE. Space creates fluidity in movement.
Space in the connections between the poll and neck.
Space in the connections between the shoulders and ribcage.
Space in the belly and back.
Space in the hindquarters.
When a horse can swing his/her back you have relaxation.
Relaxed Back. Relaxed Horse. The whole body moves...
It creates a Back Mover.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Fulcrums
The Fulcrums
The Fulcrums are "hinge " point on your horse that create different angles in the joints. They are where the energy is stored and released, the body in flexed and relaxed, and the "correctness" of the gaits are found.
HOW you use your horse's Fulcrums creates the ride. When the Fulcrums are used in balance - meaning equal flexion and relaxation at each hinge point - then you and your horse have maximum flexibility in each gait and within each gait.
This image above is an example of the Fulcrum angles (generally) when your horse is in a standing position.
Fulcrum #1 - this is the hinge area of the Poll and the Atlas.
Fulcrum #2 - this is the hinge area of the Shoulder Balde and the Ribcage (the area just below the withers).
Fuclrum #3 - this is the area of the Sacroiliac joint and Pelvis.
Note the angles of these areas...Fulcrum #1 is at a slightly smaller angle then Fulcrum #s 2 & 3. Since the horse is not in motion...not really a problem...
This second image is when the head is "tucked high" while being ridden.
When the horse raises his head and tucks his/her nose in the angle of Fulcrum #1 changes most drastically. With the closed angle in the poll, the area becomes less accessible to the horse and the rider. The back of the skull and the vertebrae tend to "lock" together and create lack of flexion. This then drops Fulcrum #2, creating another "lock," in the shoulder blade/wither area, essentially putting the horse on its forehand, leaving Fulcrum #3 hanging out behind at larger, yet ineffective, angle. It becomes a Front-to-Back motion with low withers and a high hindquarters.
The third image is when the head is "nosed-out" while being ridden.
This would be considered a "GREEN" way-of-going, where the horse is allowed to go forward without any restrictions on his/her bridle.
Note the angles of all three of the Fulcrums...all of them are relatively EQUAL. Fulcrum #1, #2, #3 have similar angles. When a horse is in this position...there is a free-flow of forward energy, allowing the horse to be soft and supple in all his/her movements: the poll can be flexed left and right, the belly can lift and raise the back softly, and the hindquarters can swing freely creating movement from the backend, over the topline, and out the front. THIS IS THE GOAL!!! No matter what stage of training your horse is in...THE FULCRUMS SHOULD BE EQUAL!!!! Then you can get the free forward, get the same angles, get the maximum energy, flexibility, and correct Back-to-Front movement that makes our horses so fun to ride!
This last image shows what is, unfortunately, a HUGE MISPERCEPTION of what is "correct" collection.
This is what people think "collection" is suppose to be. What this is, is "over-flexion." The head is unnaturally put down so the ears fall below the withers AND the nose is tucked into the chest. This, therefore, over-flexes the shoulder blade/wither area and hyper-extends the vertebrae of the back (Note the excessive angle at Fulcrum #2) leaving the horse unable to flex it's belly muscles. In turn, with a hyper-extended back, the hindquarters are, again, left out behind and the horse is on it's forehand. This is an ugle way to train and abusive to the horse.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
More talk of the Hindquarters...
So. We have the Semi brothers...(hamstrings)
We have the Quads...(quadriceps)
Now we have the Gluteals...
And the Adductors...
The Gluteals, like ours, are butt muscles.
The Adductors, like ours, are groin muscles.
Now. As I have talked about in my previous post, muscles that are used correctly, work correctly....And these muscles are no different.
Even though horses have a lot of muscles (700ish), I chose to concentrate on these muscles of the hindquarters because they are the most familiar and since we have them, too, they make the most sense.
The Gluteals (Gluteas medius)sit above the pelvis and attach into the lumbar spine area with the gluteal tongue.
The Adductors (Pectineus, adductor, gracilis, satorius) sit inside the pelvis and attach in places along the femur, tibia, and patella.
Then there is the Bicep Femoris which is like a "go between." It starts on the sacrum and attaches on various places along the femur and the achilles tendon.
So with ALL THESE MUSCLES, we want them to work as a UNIT. The Hamstrings, the Quadriceps, the Gluteals, and the Adductors, and the lonely Biceps Femoris...AKA: The Hindquarters.
When a unit works well:
There is balance
There is Range of Motion
Balanced Hindquarters mean that the muscles are of the same strength, and, rather importantly, size. Each muscle group has the same "fitness level" because no one muscle is used more then the others. They, in turn, are proportional to all the other muscles.
Range of Motion in the Hindquarters follows the same line: Each muscle group has the same level of flexibility to extend and flex when the horse is in motion....
The higher the Range of Motion, the better the Balance and, the better the movement! The further a horse can flex and extend CORRECTLY, the more bounce and suppleness in the gait.
If you want to achieve Balance and Range of Motion...can ya guess??? GO FORWARD!!!
Work on your "collection..." but always give the muscles time to stretch out.
We have the Quads...(quadriceps)
Now we have the Gluteals...
And the Adductors...
The Gluteals, like ours, are butt muscles.
The Adductors, like ours, are groin muscles.
Now. As I have talked about in my previous post, muscles that are used correctly, work correctly....And these muscles are no different.
Even though horses have a lot of muscles (700ish), I chose to concentrate on these muscles of the hindquarters because they are the most familiar and since we have them, too, they make the most sense.
The Gluteals (Gluteas medius)sit above the pelvis and attach into the lumbar spine area with the gluteal tongue.
The Adductors (Pectineus, adductor, gracilis, satorius) sit inside the pelvis and attach in places along the femur, tibia, and patella.
Then there is the Bicep Femoris which is like a "go between." It starts on the sacrum and attaches on various places along the femur and the achilles tendon.
So with ALL THESE MUSCLES, we want them to work as a UNIT. The Hamstrings, the Quadriceps, the Gluteals, and the Adductors, and the lonely Biceps Femoris...AKA: The Hindquarters.
When a unit works well:
There is balance
There is Range of Motion
Balanced Hindquarters mean that the muscles are of the same strength, and, rather importantly, size. Each muscle group has the same "fitness level" because no one muscle is used more then the others. They, in turn, are proportional to all the other muscles.
Range of Motion in the Hindquarters follows the same line: Each muscle group has the same level of flexibility to extend and flex when the horse is in motion....
The higher the Range of Motion, the better the Balance and, the better the movement! The further a horse can flex and extend CORRECTLY, the more bounce and suppleness in the gait.
If you want to achieve Balance and Range of Motion...can ya guess??? GO FORWARD!!!
Work on your "collection..." but always give the muscles time to stretch out.
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Quadriceps - Tensor Fascia Lata/Quadriceps Femoris
Well naturally - the Quadriceps compliment the Hamstrings.
The "Quads" originate at the Point-of-Hip (Tuber Coaxe) and then attach in the the stifle area through fascia.
When the Hamstrings flex (hindlegs go backwards and/or up), the Quads extend. When the hamstrings extend (hindlegs come forward and/or up), the quads flex. And like the hamstrings, if the quads have a good range of motion, then you will have a better ride.
Also like the hamstrings, the quadriceps absorb the energy, coil it up, and send forward into the lovely, "bouncing-ball" we all love to ride. When the quads are unable to flex to compliment the hamstrings, the "pogo-sticking" begans again. However, it is a slightly different feel when the quads are not flexible.
With lack of flexibility in the quadriceps, the horse may be able to bring the leg forward, but not extend in back OR sink into the stride. In turn, the stride is "shortened backwards." Instead of getting a full swing of the leg forward and through, you get a stride that is longer on the front swing and shorter on the back swing. It may appear like the horse is "tippy-ing" on his/her hindlegs so the stride is short and choppy OR the stride looks wide and the hips can roll (there is usually more going on here, but that's another day). Again, there is no absorption of the horse's energy.
So! Without too much redundancy from the previous post - Here are some exercises to help strengthen the Quadriceps:
1) Pole work. Working your horse over raised poles can create flexion and extension in the quads. I like to use "half poles." I call them "half poles" because you raise the pole on alternating sides (try starting with 2 poles). This way, the horse lifts one leg a little higher every time he/she walks over a pole. An eight-to-ten inch lift is a good place to start. Many horses with flexibilty problems will hit the poles until they are able to raise their legs. That will come with better flexion. Be sure have the correct striding in between your poles. Not to mention - start at the walk BEFORE you try the trot.
2) Half steps. Half steps can be the beginning of "collection" work for many riders, but it is also a great exercise for the quads. With half steps, you ask for a shortened stride for 3-4 steps of whatever gait you are in. Of course, walk is easiest, canter, most difficult. So, be forgiving and give your horse a chance to learn this. When you get your 3-4 half steps, be sure and GO FORWARD! to give the horse a break and keep that range of motion. Also, VERY IMPORTANTLY, make the half steps come form YOUR BODY, NOT the REINS!! Otherwise you will create front-to-back movement instead of a BACK-TO-FRONT movement. We want to strengthen his butt, not his neck.
3) Same as Hamstrings - Baby Walk Pirouette and "Western Pleasure" jog. See previous post!
Wait there is more! What other muscles compliment the Hamstrings & Quadriceps???
The "Quads" originate at the Point-of-Hip (Tuber Coaxe) and then attach in the the stifle area through fascia.
When the Hamstrings flex (hindlegs go backwards and/or up), the Quads extend. When the hamstrings extend (hindlegs come forward and/or up), the quads flex. And like the hamstrings, if the quads have a good range of motion, then you will have a better ride.
Also like the hamstrings, the quadriceps absorb the energy, coil it up, and send forward into the lovely, "bouncing-ball" we all love to ride. When the quads are unable to flex to compliment the hamstrings, the "pogo-sticking" begans again. However, it is a slightly different feel when the quads are not flexible.
With lack of flexibility in the quadriceps, the horse may be able to bring the leg forward, but not extend in back OR sink into the stride. In turn, the stride is "shortened backwards." Instead of getting a full swing of the leg forward and through, you get a stride that is longer on the front swing and shorter on the back swing. It may appear like the horse is "tippy-ing" on his/her hindlegs so the stride is short and choppy OR the stride looks wide and the hips can roll (there is usually more going on here, but that's another day). Again, there is no absorption of the horse's energy.
So! Without too much redundancy from the previous post - Here are some exercises to help strengthen the Quadriceps:
1) Pole work. Working your horse over raised poles can create flexion and extension in the quads. I like to use "half poles." I call them "half poles" because you raise the pole on alternating sides (try starting with 2 poles). This way, the horse lifts one leg a little higher every time he/she walks over a pole. An eight-to-ten inch lift is a good place to start. Many horses with flexibilty problems will hit the poles until they are able to raise their legs. That will come with better flexion. Be sure have the correct striding in between your poles. Not to mention - start at the walk BEFORE you try the trot.
2) Half steps. Half steps can be the beginning of "collection" work for many riders, but it is also a great exercise for the quads. With half steps, you ask for a shortened stride for 3-4 steps of whatever gait you are in. Of course, walk is easiest, canter, most difficult. So, be forgiving and give your horse a chance to learn this. When you get your 3-4 half steps, be sure and GO FORWARD! to give the horse a break and keep that range of motion. Also, VERY IMPORTANTLY, make the half steps come form YOUR BODY, NOT the REINS!! Otherwise you will create front-to-back movement instead of a BACK-TO-FRONT movement. We want to strengthen his butt, not his neck.
3) Same as Hamstrings - Baby Walk Pirouette and "Western Pleasure" jog. See previous post!
Wait there is more! What other muscles compliment the Hamstrings & Quadriceps???
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Hamstrings - SemiTendonosis & SemiMembrinosis
(I may have to double check my spelling...)
The Hamstrings are, of course, the muscles of the hindquarters that run down the back side of the horse's legs and attach into the achilles tendon and to the calcaneus (the bony protrusion of the hock).
The Hamstrings are known as: "The Semi Brothers."
They are the muscles used when you get KICKED.
Ouch.
These are VERY STRONG MUSCLES.
Why are these muscles important to riding????
The Hamstrings help create the SWING (freedom) and the SUSPENSION (push) in your horse's stride. Therefore, they need the ability to FLEX. The range of motion in these muscles should be similar to the range of motion in your Long Back muscle (remember the name??).
When the hamstrings flex correctly and push the stride forward, it is similar to doing squats.
Go. Do some squats. (When horses do squats, they're called piaffes!!)
Now do squats and move forward. Focus on HOW your hamstrings feel. Are they flexible? How deep can you sit on one leg before you have to release it and push yourself onto the other leg. How much SUSPENSION can you create with your own hamstrings? Do ya feel the burn!?!?!?
Transfer this movment to your horse's backside. What do you want to feel????
When your horse is using his/her hamstrings well, there is freedom in the gait and the hindlegs can "track-up." The gait is loose and swinging (because his/her back is moving, too!) and, most importantly, the gait is comfortable. Hamstrings that are inflexible create a very bouncy trot - one that throws you out of the saddle, but does not allow you sit back down into the gait - more "pogo-sticking" - because the horse cannot sit back down into his/her OWN gait.
With the give and take in the hamstrings, your horse can absorb the movement and then send it forward to the next stride creating a "bouncing ball" rhythm that you can ride and ride...and ride...and...ride.....
Here are some things to do when you horse is having sticky issues in his/her hamstrings:
1) Transitions. Get the answer and worry about PRETTY later. Get your transition when YOU want them and your horse's self-carriage will improve, therefore, his/her overall position.
2) Backing. After a warm-up of FORWARD! Halt your horse momentarily and ask for the back WITHOUT USING YOUR REINS. Give the cue from your body and don't let your horse talk you into using the reins. This gives him/her an out if he/she gets tense. Be wise, however, if your horse is offering to rear - be safe instead of sorry - move forward out of the back and try again.
3) Baby Walk Pirouette. I call them "baby" because they are BIG. Make sure as you turn into your pirouette, that your horse continues to move forward AND his/her hindlegs keep moving. If your horse happens to get "stuck," GO FORWARD. Try your baby walk pirouette on the next turn.
4)"Western Pleasure" jog. I'm not trying to piss anybody off here. A correct & true "jog" is one off the horse's butt and topline. Asking for a slow, deep flexing jog does just that - flexes the hamstrings deeper and slower then a forward, swinging trot. It is a great lunge line exercise to help free up the hinquarter and the back.
Next Blog: The complimentary muscles that help the hamstring.
The Hamstrings are, of course, the muscles of the hindquarters that run down the back side of the horse's legs and attach into the achilles tendon and to the calcaneus (the bony protrusion of the hock).
The Hamstrings are known as: "The Semi Brothers."
They are the muscles used when you get KICKED.
Ouch.
These are VERY STRONG MUSCLES.
Why are these muscles important to riding????
The Hamstrings help create the SWING (freedom) and the SUSPENSION (push) in your horse's stride. Therefore, they need the ability to FLEX. The range of motion in these muscles should be similar to the range of motion in your Long Back muscle (remember the name??).
When the hamstrings flex correctly and push the stride forward, it is similar to doing squats.
Go. Do some squats. (When horses do squats, they're called piaffes!!)
Now do squats and move forward. Focus on HOW your hamstrings feel. Are they flexible? How deep can you sit on one leg before you have to release it and push yourself onto the other leg. How much SUSPENSION can you create with your own hamstrings? Do ya feel the burn!?!?!?
Transfer this movment to your horse's backside. What do you want to feel????
When your horse is using his/her hamstrings well, there is freedom in the gait and the hindlegs can "track-up." The gait is loose and swinging (because his/her back is moving, too!) and, most importantly, the gait is comfortable. Hamstrings that are inflexible create a very bouncy trot - one that throws you out of the saddle, but does not allow you sit back down into the gait - more "pogo-sticking" - because the horse cannot sit back down into his/her OWN gait.
With the give and take in the hamstrings, your horse can absorb the movement and then send it forward to the next stride creating a "bouncing ball" rhythm that you can ride and ride...and ride...and...ride.....
Here are some things to do when you horse is having sticky issues in his/her hamstrings:
1) Transitions. Get the answer and worry about PRETTY later. Get your transition when YOU want them and your horse's self-carriage will improve, therefore, his/her overall position.
2) Backing. After a warm-up of FORWARD! Halt your horse momentarily and ask for the back WITHOUT USING YOUR REINS. Give the cue from your body and don't let your horse talk you into using the reins. This gives him/her an out if he/she gets tense. Be wise, however, if your horse is offering to rear - be safe instead of sorry - move forward out of the back and try again.
3) Baby Walk Pirouette. I call them "baby" because they are BIG. Make sure as you turn into your pirouette, that your horse continues to move forward AND his/her hindlegs keep moving. If your horse happens to get "stuck," GO FORWARD. Try your baby walk pirouette on the next turn.
4)"Western Pleasure" jog. I'm not trying to piss anybody off here. A correct & true "jog" is one off the horse's butt and topline. Asking for a slow, deep flexing jog does just that - flexes the hamstrings deeper and slower then a forward, swinging trot. It is a great lunge line exercise to help free up the hinquarter and the back.
Next Blog: The complimentary muscles that help the hamstring.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The Long Back muscle - Longissimus Dorsi
The Longissiumus Dorsi is called the "Long Back" muscle for a good reason...It extends from the Pelvis to the Cervical vertebrae (neck bones). That is a looooooonnnnnggggg way.
It is the muscle that the saddle, and essentially, YOU sit on. (The other back muscles that accompany it are: the Spinalis and the Illiocostal, respectively)
It may be the most important muscle in the Equine body when it comes to riding. It is important for TWO reasons:
1) Since the saddle sits on this muscle, the Longissimus is influenced greatly by HOW and WHERE the saddle fits. A poorly fitting saddle is like a poorly fitting shoe. Painful. Restrictive. Just plain uncomfortable. It may sit too far forward, to far back, be too tight, be too loose, be too small, be too big. These saddle issues create problems for not only the horse and his muscles, but the rider and his/her balance, as well.
A well fitting saddle is, of course, the opposite - Comfortable. The well fitting saddle sits in balance to the shape of the horse's back. It allows for movement through the shoulder, back, ribcage, loin and hindquarters. The rider is able to stay in balance while in the saddle. Saddle fit is one of the first things that should be checked before riding your horse. There are professional saddle-fitters that will make house calls and get you a great saddle.
2) How the muscle is used. In the walk & trot- the Longissimus Dorsi moves back and forth on either side of the back. When the left side goes "forward", the right side goes "back", and vice versa. In the canter - the muscle moves ALMOST together, with the "inside" muscle coming forward with the stride and bit sooner then the "outside."
Now - try to visualize this muscle movement. Can you see the back swing in the trot? What about in the canter?? Can you see the "long back" muscle moving? Great.
Now - visualize it with a poorly fitting saddle...AND the rider. Try first with a saddle that is too tight. Then with a saddle that is too big. How about that is too far forward. What can you see in the horse's movements?
Too Tight - This pinches the back and shoulder area like a shoe that is laced too tight. In turn, the back drops to avoid the pinch, the horse's head comes up, and the stride becomes short and choppy. There is no swing over the back.
Too Big - There are a few problems here: the saddle may slide up onto the shoulders, restricting the forward and backward movement of the scapula. Essentially, the shoulder is blocked much like the saddle that is too tight. Another problem may be that the saddle drops back and downward behind the shoulders. This causes a pinch behind the withers and the saddle may actually sit on top of the withers. This can also cause the back to drop, the head to raise up, and again, no swing over the back. Then there is the saddle that just moves all over the place. Without a good fit, it moves forwards, backwards, sideways...imagaine trying to keep your balance with not knowing where the saddle will be next. That goes for horse AND rider!
Obviously, a well fitting saddle will sit correctly and give the horse and the rider a good fit and a good ride.
With a well fitting saddle, there are no pressure points. The weight of the rider is evenly distributed throughout the saddle. This is seen by an even sweat mark left by the saddle.
There is plenty of room for the shoulder to move. You can test this by putting the saddle on and moving the front leg up, forward, and back to see where it moves adjacent to the saddle.
Also, the channel of the saddle is W I D E enough to allow room for the spinous processes of the vertebrae. The channel should sit on either side of the vertebrae using a hands width as measurement.
Finally, there should be ample room in the pommel area for the withers. Your hand should easily fit inside and down into the saddle's channel.
Now these are the BASICS about saddle fit. And I know it seems like common sense. Even so, the next time you head out to ride your horse, check these basic points on your saddle.
If your saddle is a great fit, you will be on the road to keeping your horse's long back muscles healthy. With healthy muscles your horse's back will swing, his head will naturally relax and lower, and he will push correctly with his hindend. Creating a overall healthy horse will lead to his longevity and years of great riding.
It is the muscle that the saddle, and essentially, YOU sit on. (The other back muscles that accompany it are: the Spinalis and the Illiocostal, respectively)
It may be the most important muscle in the Equine body when it comes to riding. It is important for TWO reasons:
1) Since the saddle sits on this muscle, the Longissimus is influenced greatly by HOW and WHERE the saddle fits. A poorly fitting saddle is like a poorly fitting shoe. Painful. Restrictive. Just plain uncomfortable. It may sit too far forward, to far back, be too tight, be too loose, be too small, be too big. These saddle issues create problems for not only the horse and his muscles, but the rider and his/her balance, as well.
A well fitting saddle is, of course, the opposite - Comfortable. The well fitting saddle sits in balance to the shape of the horse's back. It allows for movement through the shoulder, back, ribcage, loin and hindquarters. The rider is able to stay in balance while in the saddle. Saddle fit is one of the first things that should be checked before riding your horse. There are professional saddle-fitters that will make house calls and get you a great saddle.
2) How the muscle is used. In the walk & trot- the Longissimus Dorsi moves back and forth on either side of the back. When the left side goes "forward", the right side goes "back", and vice versa. In the canter - the muscle moves ALMOST together, with the "inside" muscle coming forward with the stride and bit sooner then the "outside."
Now - try to visualize this muscle movement. Can you see the back swing in the trot? What about in the canter?? Can you see the "long back" muscle moving? Great.
Now - visualize it with a poorly fitting saddle...AND the rider. Try first with a saddle that is too tight. Then with a saddle that is too big. How about that is too far forward. What can you see in the horse's movements?
Too Tight - This pinches the back and shoulder area like a shoe that is laced too tight. In turn, the back drops to avoid the pinch, the horse's head comes up, and the stride becomes short and choppy. There is no swing over the back.
Too Big - There are a few problems here: the saddle may slide up onto the shoulders, restricting the forward and backward movement of the scapula. Essentially, the shoulder is blocked much like the saddle that is too tight. Another problem may be that the saddle drops back and downward behind the shoulders. This causes a pinch behind the withers and the saddle may actually sit on top of the withers. This can also cause the back to drop, the head to raise up, and again, no swing over the back. Then there is the saddle that just moves all over the place. Without a good fit, it moves forwards, backwards, sideways...imagaine trying to keep your balance with not knowing where the saddle will be next. That goes for horse AND rider!
Obviously, a well fitting saddle will sit correctly and give the horse and the rider a good fit and a good ride.
With a well fitting saddle, there are no pressure points. The weight of the rider is evenly distributed throughout the saddle. This is seen by an even sweat mark left by the saddle.
There is plenty of room for the shoulder to move. You can test this by putting the saddle on and moving the front leg up, forward, and back to see where it moves adjacent to the saddle.
Also, the channel of the saddle is W I D E enough to allow room for the spinous processes of the vertebrae. The channel should sit on either side of the vertebrae using a hands width as measurement.
Finally, there should be ample room in the pommel area for the withers. Your hand should easily fit inside and down into the saddle's channel.
Now these are the BASICS about saddle fit. And I know it seems like common sense. Even so, the next time you head out to ride your horse, check these basic points on your saddle.
If your saddle is a great fit, you will be on the road to keeping your horse's long back muscles healthy. With healthy muscles your horse's back will swing, his head will naturally relax and lower, and he will push correctly with his hindend. Creating a overall healthy horse will lead to his longevity and years of great riding.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Learn your Bio-Mehcanics!!!
I guess one of the things I find fascinating, and a little frustrating, is the lack of knowledge about HOW a horse's body moves.
Most folks know that horse have the three basic gaits: Walk - four beat rhythm. Trot - two beat rhythm. Canter - three beat rhythm. There are variations on all these gaits in their speed and suspension depending on the breed.
Breed aside - The faster you move in a gait - the less suspension you have. Think about this. Don't confuse FAST with BIG. When a horse motors along at, say, a fast trot, the legs move, the back gets stiff and the head comes up (picture an Icelandic Pony). The stride is not long and flowing, but short and choppy. I call it "pogo-sticking" because the horse stabs at the ground instead of pushes off the ground.
On the other hand, when a horse motors along at a slower trot, the legs move, the back begans to swing, and the head relaxes and lowers (picture a (good) Training level Dressage horse). Don't confuse SLOW with SMALL. The stride is longer, but not lazy, and the horse has moments of being off the ground in SUSPENSION. That's the push.
Now ask yourself, which would you rather ride? Short, fast and choppy? Or long and flowing?
This flowing gait can be created in any horse where the goal is freedom in the movement. Freedom in movement allows for relaxed and stretching muscles, which allows for contraction and relaxation over a greater range of motion.
For example...You want you horse to be "collected." (A mis-used concept, but out there none-the-less) You pick up the reins and put your leg on and press your horse "into" the bridle. His head is tucked and he can carry you very slowly at any gait. And this is your daily routine.
Now ask yourself - What are the Muscles doing????
When you ask for small muslces movements over and over, that's exactly what you get. Small. However, in the constant CONTRACTION (small), your horse's muscles do not get a chance to STRETCH and move in a relaxed way (big). By riding your horse with small muslce movement and not allowing your horse to go forward with BIG muscle movement, you end-up lowering his range motion further, and in-turn create a horse that eventually can't do the small muscle movement because his muscle have ratcheted down so much, he has NO range of motion.
There is a remedy for this. Let your horse GO FORWARD. Go! Go! Go! Pretend you are riding out with the hounds! Let your horse put his head DOWNWARD. When he learns to stretch downward, he will open up his topline and strengthen his neck, back, and hindquarters. Ride your body into BIGGER movement with more suspension to encourage him to do the same. Think Big. Think Suspension. Think Air Time. Let your horse take the reins. Work up to feeding reins out to the buckle (be aware of how your horse make react to the freedom and ride accordingly as he may feel like woo-hooing! with all the freedom). When/if he gets "sticky," send him forward.
His ability to be able to balance and stretch will improve as his "full range of motion" strength gets bigger and longer. Give yourself a good three months of "stretch" time. This may seem like FOREVER! but it is winter and the perfect time before the show season kicks back into high gear.
Next blog - the muscles you are stretching.
If you have any questions - call or post them on my Facebook page!
Most folks know that horse have the three basic gaits: Walk - four beat rhythm. Trot - two beat rhythm. Canter - three beat rhythm. There are variations on all these gaits in their speed and suspension depending on the breed.
Breed aside - The faster you move in a gait - the less suspension you have. Think about this. Don't confuse FAST with BIG. When a horse motors along at, say, a fast trot, the legs move, the back gets stiff and the head comes up (picture an Icelandic Pony). The stride is not long and flowing, but short and choppy. I call it "pogo-sticking" because the horse stabs at the ground instead of pushes off the ground.
On the other hand, when a horse motors along at a slower trot, the legs move, the back begans to swing, and the head relaxes and lowers (picture a (good) Training level Dressage horse). Don't confuse SLOW with SMALL. The stride is longer, but not lazy, and the horse has moments of being off the ground in SUSPENSION. That's the push.
Now ask yourself, which would you rather ride? Short, fast and choppy? Or long and flowing?
This flowing gait can be created in any horse where the goal is freedom in the movement. Freedom in movement allows for relaxed and stretching muscles, which allows for contraction and relaxation over a greater range of motion.
For example...You want you horse to be "collected." (A mis-used concept, but out there none-the-less) You pick up the reins and put your leg on and press your horse "into" the bridle. His head is tucked and he can carry you very slowly at any gait. And this is your daily routine.
Now ask yourself - What are the Muscles doing????
When you ask for small muslces movements over and over, that's exactly what you get. Small. However, in the constant CONTRACTION (small), your horse's muscles do not get a chance to STRETCH and move in a relaxed way (big). By riding your horse with small muslce movement and not allowing your horse to go forward with BIG muscle movement, you end-up lowering his range motion further, and in-turn create a horse that eventually can't do the small muscle movement because his muscle have ratcheted down so much, he has NO range of motion.
There is a remedy for this. Let your horse GO FORWARD. Go! Go! Go! Pretend you are riding out with the hounds! Let your horse put his head DOWNWARD. When he learns to stretch downward, he will open up his topline and strengthen his neck, back, and hindquarters. Ride your body into BIGGER movement with more suspension to encourage him to do the same. Think Big. Think Suspension. Think Air Time. Let your horse take the reins. Work up to feeding reins out to the buckle (be aware of how your horse make react to the freedom and ride accordingly as he may feel like woo-hooing! with all the freedom). When/if he gets "sticky," send him forward.
His ability to be able to balance and stretch will improve as his "full range of motion" strength gets bigger and longer. Give yourself a good three months of "stretch" time. This may seem like FOREVER! but it is winter and the perfect time before the show season kicks back into high gear.
Next blog - the muscles you are stretching.
If you have any questions - call or post them on my Facebook page!
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