25/11/2024
There are many training scales used in equestrian sport from the Spanish ORBIT scale, to the French and German scales. Typically these comprise of Rhythm, Relaxation, Connection, Impulsion, Straightness and Collection or some variation thereof. Thank you Centaur Biomechanics for yet another super lecture. Here is a brief summary of rhythm during walk, trot and canter and a few training suggestions.
RHYTHM
WALK
~ A four-beat rhythm where each footfall should occur independently of one another and in lateral sequence.
~ There are four types of walk- collected, medium, extended and free.
~ There is no moment of suspension at walk.
TROT
~ a two beat gait in diagonal pairs- or is this so? Research has shown this is not always the case. The right hind may land fractionally before the left fore (this is desirable due to hindlimb push off, lower vertical forces and energy expenditure, but consider the soft tissue strain), if the forelimb lands first this is undesirable as it acts more as a breaking mechanism.
~ There are four types of trot: collected, working, medium and extended
~ There is a moment of suspension during trot, if a horse does not have a moment of suspension there is a locomotor dysfunction.
~ Suspension in medium and extended trot is 2 times that of collected and working trot. Consider this affect on your horse’s soft tissue structures when riding- there is far more strain with medium and extended trot, perhaps do these in short bursts.
CANTER
~ An asymmetrical three-beat gait.
~ Four types of canter: collected, working, medium and extended.
~ Did you know during collected canter there is NOT a moment of suspension? There is some belief that this is due to ‘modern dressage’ however due to new technology the analysis of old classical dressage video footage shows the same! So dare I say it but collected canter may be 4 beat!
FROM A TRAINING PERSPECTIVE
How can you use your horse’s gait purposefully for training?
There is more rotational movement during both walk and canter which is great for suppling horses HOWEVER a minimum TEN minutes walk warm up is required for every horse (every ride!!) to increase joint lubrication, thereby minimising injury.
Trot is great for strengthening horses and stabilising the upper body as it has the least axial rotation.
Also consider- if your horse starts to go behind the vertical (behind the bit) during training is this simply fatigue of the dorsal (topline) musculature and pole muscles?
Altering rein length throughout your ride will train muscles in various lengths, this will aid in enhanced strength, reduce fatigue and a better self carriage.
There are so many ways we can use our horse’s natural movement to aid in their training and we as riders need to be specific about what our goals are.
All Creatures Physiotherapy
