Posture, Core Strength & Crookedness in the horse

As a Spinal Therapist and Equine Physiotherapist, working with horses professionally for over 10 years, I have become specialised in back pain in horses, and the reasons that this occurs in horses. 

To help horse owners with learning about WHY their horse is suffering with back pain, and what they can do about it, I like to step back to the evolution of the horse, and start most of my talks in my members groups with this...

Horses are not designed or evolved to be ridden, it's as simple as that! We sit on the lowest part of their back, and do activities with them that are completely the opposite to their natural lifestyle. So it's not any surprise that horses break down, unfortunately. 

Here are some of the problems that our horses start to encounter:

- Poor posture causing back pain: a lot of horses have poor posture, with a weak back, meaning they are not strong enough to carry a rider. Good posture is something we need to WORK ON, so that our horse is strong enough to lift their core/back, and carry a saddle and rider. 

- Lack of core strength: a lot of horses aren't trained correctly to work over their back, so don't develop a strong core/back, and carry a rider with a tense/hollow back. This is likely to cause back pain, and is a downward spiral to 'Kissing Spine'. 

- Crookedness in the horse: did you know your horse is left or right handed? And it's something that we need to work to CORRECT, if we want to ride/exercise our horses. And if we just ride round without correcting it, our horse will develop uneven wear and tear in the body as a result of exercising in a crooked pattern. QUESTION: is your horse better/easier on one rein than the other? And does it ever improve? Again it's something that we need to work on to CORRECT and train our horses symmetrically. 

So with these natural issues in our horses body, coupled with lack of movement, lack of exercise, or too much exercise, unnatural diet etc, can you see why it's so important to really step back and consider our horses needs further? 

These are areas that I am really passionate about with horses, because the answer to all of it isn't as difficult as you might think...it's all about how we train our horses! 

If you continue to exercise your horse in poor posture, and in a crooked pattern, you are just strengthening those negative aspects each time you exercise your horse. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE...

I have written a FREE Ebook 'Posture, Core Strength & Crookedness in the horse' which goes into more detail, including what we can do to help our horses with these natural issues. 

CLICK HERE FOR EBOOK: Free Posture & Crookedness Ebook