A really great question was posted in one of the FB groups I'm in. This is such a great topic that I feel every equestrian can benefit from, so I decided to share my answer here. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic as well! As a rider, how much do you feel you affect your horse's in a one hour training session?
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ANSWER: This is a wonderful question - one that I too have contemplated. Most issues typically result from tension in the body and overuse syndrome. When the body is asked to work outside of it's normal limits/parameters, micro-trauma happens to the muscles. This process is normal and 'good' in small amounts, as this is how muscles grow and get stronger. Muscle fibers surrounding these areas of micro-trauma go into secondary tension to protect and support the area.
This is all fine, as long as the body has adequate time to rest and recover. The issue comes when the body is asked to work hard again - the area of micro-trauma grows, the area of secondary tension grows. Eventually you have a blowout in the form of some sprain/strain/etc injury.
Putting this into context, the average horse is somewhere in the 1000# range. Lets say the average rider plus tack is about 200#. That's 20% of the horse's body weight it's carrying on it's back. For perspective, I'm 170# and exercise about 5x per week. I work out with 5 to 8# weights - it's all I can do without compromising my form and posture. That's ONLY 4.7% of my body weight. Sure, I can throw hay and feed bags, but that is way different than keeping controlled, proper form (collection). 20% would be 34# for me. I couldn't do 1 bicep curl with 34# if I tried. Okay, maybe one and it wouldn't be pretty. My back would hollow, my form would compromise, my wrists would strain, etc.
'Okay, but you're talking working out your arms. Horse's carry us on their backs and are so much larger and stronger than us so i'ts easier for them.' But is it? A cell is a cell, a muscle fiber is a muscle fiber, and a ratio to body weight is a ratio.
Carrying weight on their backs actually requires the hardest and most fatiguing type of muscle contraction - Isometric. This is a static, engaged contraction that is held without release. I can do a TVA isometric hold (with no additional weight on my body) for like 3 minutes before a point on my back starts to Charley horse. Horse's have to hold an isometric hold for 30+minutes with 20% of weight on their back.
But it's more complicated than that. They aren't just standing there holding us. They are then asked to work even FURTHER outside of their normal parameters with dynamic contraction thrown into the mix - jumping fences, cantering around an area (much harder than straight work), etc. You get the idea.
But wait, there's more! (Cue Oxy-Clean commercial). Most horse's have ill-fitting tack, so not only are they working with a heavy weight load, their gym equipment doesn't even fit! This will cause discomfort and the horse to distort their body, movement and range of motion. So now their back is starting to hollow and engagement decline from 1. Muscle fatigue and 2. pain of ill fitting tack. We've all felt the discomfort of carrying something around that cuts into us.
On top of tack, most horses have poor, unbalanced hooves. So now they are working out with one shoe as a tennis shoe and the other as something flat with no support - Van's maybe? Okay, so their foundation is off, their muscles are tired from holding an isometric load on their back (and most riders aren't even balanced so they're trying to catch that unbalanced weight) while ADDITIONALLY working (poles, etc), their equipment doesn't even fit, their foundation is off - unbalancing the rest of the body - and maybe they have some jaw pain from tooth imbalance and/or stomach pain from ulcers.
To top it all off, yes - they have the other 23 hours to do as they please, which typically isn't the most intelligent stuff and ends up with someone running like a fool, straining a muscle just in time to be more sore for tomorrow's training session (and they were already sore after today's).
Over-Use Syndrome (& Tensegrity, but I'll save that for my next Ted Talk...)
In a nut shell, yes, we can influence a LOT in an hour a day. But it can also be for the better! Some of my fittest, most supple horses are in the highest work load. Things you can do to support your riding horse:
1. Proper warm up and cool down! Don't underestimate!! 2. Flexibility and strength are 50/50 partners. You need a supple AND strong horse to prevent injury 3. Adequate rest time and proper training schedule with time built in for recovery 4. Work on yourself and your own strength! Be so balanced your horse doesn't even have to worry about you.
I know a lot of people wonder this, so I hope this helps!
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Interested in learning more? I offer a class that covers this topic plus more in further detail! Let's set up a class at your barn!
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