Equine Biomechanics

“Where there is movement there is hope.”
Carol Brett, Balance International

In all of my years of being around horses, I never heard much spoken about equine biomechanics until I attended my first Balance International clinic.  One thing that I learned that day was that when any horse is ridden, its natural biomechanics are disrupted. This is because it is not natural for a horse to carry a human on its back, and therefore the horse is not born knowing how to properly compensate for the weight of a rider.  When a rider sits on a horse’s back, this changes the the stresses and loading on his body so that there is an increase in the amount of weight loaded on the horse’s front limbs.  Since the structures, angles and tissues of the front limbs are not designed to take this stress, the horse is therefore set up for lameness in the future.

Saddle fit also impacts equine biomechanics.  When a horse properly carries a rider, it propels itself with its hind end and its back lifts and widens.  If an ill fitting saddle prevents this, the horse’s brain will be quick to learn new (improper and potentially harmful) locomotor patterns in response to the painful stimuli.  Even once the horse is fitted properly with a new saddle, the improper locomotor patterns will remain and the horse will likely need a great deal of support in relearning proper balance and coordination both from the ground and while being ridden.

Carol Brett’s Constructive Riding Clinic, January 2009, Ocala, FL

Both George and Frankie’s biomechanics have been compromised.  George’s most likely from improper riding, improper saddle fit, and then compensating for pain in his right front hoof for many years.  Frankie’s, I would guess, are the result of being ridden (galloped no less) at age 2 before his body was prepared to carry the weight of a rider, compounded by compensation for his cervical spine injury.

The best thing I have done with George is to learn how to handle and ride him in a way that encourages proper movement.  I began this when he was 18 years old, so as one can imagine, this was no easy feat for him.  I have to admit that during the first several months, I was extremely skeptical at the thought that George might improve in any way, but I kept hearing Carol’s voice and encouraging words in my head, so we persevered.  In the past year and a half, George has absolutely blossomed.  What is amazing to me is that when he is using his body correctly, his ears perk up and he appears to smile.  I can feel that he is balanced and that carrying me is effortless.  I now see myself riding him well into his 20′s.

Me, George, and Terry Wright, May 2008.  Terry is pressing on George’s sternum, helping both him and me to realize what it feels like when he lifts through his sternum instead of pushing through it and pulling himself along with his front end.

With Frankie, I am currently focusing on groundwork and light riding to improve his biomechanics.  With the help of Terry, my riding instructor, I have designed a program for Frankie that includes elements of Balance International’s Remedial Programme(available as a download on their website), and Linda Tellington Jones’ labyrinth and bodywrap, as outlined in her book, Improve Your Horse’s Well Being.  And of course, when I do ride him, I ride him in a Balance International saddle.  With him, I am encouraged by the fact that he is still growing and thus his body is more open to change.

Additional Reading:

SustainableDressage.net – A blog about traditional dressage that contains loads of information about equine biomechanics