Equine Physiology & Fitness

lack hills or the time to reach them you can accomplish a lot with a simple ditch like the ones found near most culverts. Commonly ridden by threeday eventers a ditch where the horse negotiates a steep downhill drop for three to four steps and then immediately climbs back up the other side requires coordination between front and hind ends plus quick adjustments of balance. These adjustments help unblock postures where there is a lack of mobility. If you have access to a ditch aim to ride across it as slowly as possible keeping the horse absolutely straight and not swinging his hindquarters around five to eight times daily
Lateral Exercises
Lateral movements executed from the ground at a walk can serve as therapeutic treatment for poor postural condition in a horses hips and spine. Because they require a rearranging of neuromuscular coordination these exercises improve proprioception of joints tendons and muscles. This produces better locomotion. Even in cases where lateral movements are not performed at a competition level they still play a physiological development role. A few minutes of asking a horse to execute shoulderin from the ground before riding for example activates the stifle joint and psoas muscles. It can mobilize the rib cage and pelvic stabilizers. This kind of lateral work as physical therapy can be executed in either a bridle or halter. I recommend spending five minutes total each day practicing legyield shoulderin turns on the haunches and haunchesin.
Poles with Purpose
Patterns of ground poles are frequently used to rehabilitate horses from injury or to correct neurological conditions owing to their role in altering a horses patterned movement and recruiting stabilizing muscles. Ground poles tune up the horses sensory nerves by making him more aware of where his feet are. This creates better reaction and agility muscular coordination and lighter movement in the front end. Also as the horse takes measured strides with distances set by poles he corrects gait irregularities and poor rhythm. These gait abnormalities can include uneven use of hind legs an irregularity in his movement and persistent crookedness. Depending on which condition needs to be corrected a variety of pole routines can be used. The following three setups are good general patterns for toning hip stabilizers improving joint flexion and eliminating muscular bracing habits.