Joint-Friendly Training For Your Horse

horse reaching to the bit with an arched neck and lifting its sternum will give enough positive tension in the nucal ligament to protect the back she says.
It makes sense that a strong joint is probably less prone to injury. But how to develop that strength? In her experience von NeumannCosel says the movements required in dressage up to Grand Prixwhen training mindfully with a horse in self carriageis actually the perfect strengthening exercises for the equine athlete to stay sound and happy.
She adds that things to avoid include too many big trot extensions and staying in a collected movement for too longnot to mention working a tired horse. The harder the work gets I reward with a walk break often that also keeps the horse from getting too fatigued she says. A tired horse will get injured.
Leg protection shoeing and more
Leg protection appropriate shoeing and regular turnout are other considerations. For external protection we use fleecelined boots on all four legs von NeumannCosel says. In addition I have a fantastic farrier who keeps the horses feet balanced and short enough to hit the ground level and to be able to push off the ground easily she explains. Our horses have a regular turnout routine of three hours or more if possible. She adds that some supplements including those containing chondroitin and glucosamine are helpful.
Ali Calkins a United States Dressage Federation bronze medalist in Mount Airy Maryland is also especially mindful of the hocks. In any equine athlete hock arthritis is very commonbut especially in dressage being that we ask for significant loading on the hind end she says. The suspensory ligament can become another concern she adds if horses are pushed to move too big too fast.
Patience
For this reason Calkins takes a conservative approach when training young horses especially the latematuring warmbloods that dominate the sport. I dont introduce the saddle and bridle until they are 3 add a rider when they are 3 12 and lightly start getting them more broke under saddle when they are coming closer to 4 she explains. I am also a big advocate of inhand work in the horses younger years. When they are young their bodies are looser and more elastic an essential quality to a dressage horse and also for arthritis prevention. Inhand work can help build strength and education without the stress or weight of a rider.
When youngsters reach age