Equine Performance Analysis

TRAINING ANALYSIS

The veterinary lameness evaluation is becoming less and less a search for sites of pain and inflammation. The traditional veterinary orthopaedic exam is no longer seen as the whole picture.

The training and riding methods are now dealt with in conjunction with the classical veterinary lameness exam. Both the quality and correctness of the riders aids and the quality and correct development of the contact are focuses of the examination.

For over 70 years the concept of ‘bridle lameness’ – the way in which the riders aids can cause gait disturbances – has been spoken of. It describes an uneven rhythm in a gait, that is easy to mistake for a true lameness, but is not caused by active inflammation nor can it be traced back to a previous injury. Training analysis and advice complement the classical lameness examination.

Other complaints that are presented to a veterinarian to investigate the cause of can also be traced to incorrect training practices. For example, irregular rhythm on bent lines, rideability issues, contact problems (horse behind the bit, leaning on the bit, tongue hanging out), difficulty for rider to sit to the trot, rearing, behavioural problems.  All of these problems can often be attributed to incorrect training or riding.

ANATOMICALLY CORRECT RIDING

It is necessary to understand the horses basic anatomy in order to ride and train a horse correctly to produce a sound, free moving athlete that is happy, successful in competition and remains sound as long as possible. The horses main strength and biggest weakness at the same time is his back.
Correct training and systematic strengthening of the horses back is essential for optimum performance and longterm soundness of the equine athlete.

This strong, supple connection between the forehand and the hindquarters is the key to good riding,

Good explanation of contact by Thomas Ritter

By Ritter Dressage

"The precise amount of the rein contact is determined by a variety of factors, not only by the rider’s hand, as some people erroneously seem to think. If the rider wants to recycle the energy of the horse’s hind legs in order to establish a circle of aids, he is forced to accept the weight which the horse puts into his hands, regardless how light or heavy the rein contact is. 

The specific amount is determined, among other things, by how much thrust the hind legs develop, and how much they carry at the same time. If the hindquarters push more than they carry, the horse will lean heavily onto the hand. If the hindquarters carry more than they push, the horse sucks back and the rein contact becomes too light. 

Closely related to the rein contact is the balance. A balanced horse, i.e. a horse that moves in self carriage, can also be light in hand. By contrast, a horse that is on the forehand will either lean heavily onto the bit, or it will curl up or invert.
A horse that is crooked will take too much contact on one rein and too little on the other. A horse with a high croup and straight hind legs will also tend to take a heavier rein contact. 

A horse with a low set, short, thick neck and fleshy poll will also tend to take a heavier rein contact. 
Horses with a long, slender, high set neck, on the other hand, will always tend tob e too light in hand and show a tendency to curl up.
The rider’s seat plays a role as well. If the rider tips forward, without sufficient engagement of his core muscles, he pushes the horse’s shoulders into the ground, and the horse onto his hand. However, if he sits up straight and engages his core muscles sufficiently, this will in itself often be enough to make the horse light(er) in hand. 

If the rider drives too much by pushing forward with his pelvis, this will also push the horse heavily onto the bit. 
If the tempo is too fast or too slow, the horse cannot find ist balance, which will also have repercussions for the rein contact.
A horse that is nervous for some reason will often take too much rein contact as well.

Many riders are concerned with the rein contact being too heavy. But there is also such a thing as not enough rein contact. When the rider can no longer feel the horse’s hind legs in his hands, because the horse is no longer seeking the communication through the rein, then the rein contact is too light. The conversation, the energy circuit, and the circle of aids have ceased.
A rein contact that is a little too heavy is still better than a non-existent rein contact, because in the first case, you can still have a conversation with the horse, whereas in the second case the horse has discontinued the talks."
(Thomas Ritter)