Riding and Training
INTRODUCING THE BIO-MECHANICS OF EQUINE MOVEMENT
A series of articles on the bio-mechanics of equine movements and how it influences the training of the horse - by Lynne Varley BHSAI and member of TTT.
A series of articles on the bio-mechanics of equine movements and how it influences the training of the horse - by Lynne Varley BHSAI and member of TTT.
Article One
The horse as a quadruped has a totally different type of movement and balance to ourselves. We have to remain in perfect balance in order to both move and stand still.
There are no such restrictions on the horse's balance. He can happily exist out of balance with his weight unevenly distributed over his four legs. This important difference between man and horse has its roots in evolution.
Man being a biped is finely balanced and propels himself by a leverage method with his feet, not a particularly rapid means of movement.
The horse being a prey animal has to move rapidly over long distances, and has the added disadvantage that it is a herbivore, therefore is sustained by grass, not a high energy food......................read more
The horse as a quadruped has a totally different type of movement and balance to ourselves. We have to remain in perfect balance in order to both move and stand still.
There are no such restrictions on the horse's balance. He can happily exist out of balance with his weight unevenly distributed over his four legs. This important difference between man and horse has its roots in evolution.
Man being a biped is finely balanced and propels himself by a leverage method with his feet, not a particularly rapid means of movement.
The horse being a prey animal has to move rapidly over long distances, and has the added disadvantage that it is a herbivore, therefore is sustained by grass, not a high energy food......................read more
THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG HORSE. By Lynne Varley
1.
Beginning the training of the young horse can start as young as 2 yrs old with colts and especially well grown youngsters. But should not involve too much work and personally I wouldn’t expect to back the young horse at that stage, rather just introduce the youngster to handling, grooming and leading out in hand with loose schooling a few times a week depending on the facilities available.
If the horse has been owned since birth some of these should have already been dealt with such as handling grooming and leading out.
I like to begin my horses at two as it prepares them for adult life and gives me time to assess each horse as it develops and decide on its training regime. Also when you are buying young horses they are usually cheaper at that age as it can be difficult to see exactly what you are buying when they have not fully developed!
Correct handling is essential, the young horse can be quite a challenge and should be treated as an adult and be expected to behave correctly from the beginning. It should allow itself to be tied up [with a quick release knot] under constant supervision and taught to stand quietly, while it is groomed and handled. I like to do this every day at about the same time then the horse becomes used to a routine. ..read more
Beginning the training of the young horse can start as young as 2 yrs old with colts and especially well grown youngsters. But should not involve too much work and personally I wouldn’t expect to back the young horse at that stage, rather just introduce the youngster to handling, grooming and leading out in hand with loose schooling a few times a week depending on the facilities available.
If the horse has been owned since birth some of these should have already been dealt with such as handling grooming and leading out.
I like to begin my horses at two as it prepares them for adult life and gives me time to assess each horse as it develops and decide on its training regime. Also when you are buying young horses they are usually cheaper at that age as it can be difficult to see exactly what you are buying when they have not fully developed!
Correct handling is essential, the young horse can be quite a challenge and should be treated as an adult and be expected to behave correctly from the beginning. It should allow itself to be tied up [with a quick release knot] under constant supervision and taught to stand quietly, while it is groomed and handled. I like to do this every day at about the same time then the horse becomes used to a routine. ..read more