We all want our horses to be able to perform to the best of their ability and we know that an effective training regime has many facets. The horse must be worked correctly, fed a balanced ration, mentally and physically healthy and well looked after. This book examines a further aspect of the horse’s performance: it is designed to help all horse owners and riders to understand how a horse moves and how its anatomy helps, or hinders, the horse’s athletic ability.First, the book uses sequences of photographs and detailed anatomical drawings to show the systems of support and movement at each phase of each of the horse’s gaits. The walk, trot, canter, gallop and jump are all examined, and the effect of the rider on the horse evaluated so that the rider can take appropriate action to avoid hindering the horse. Tips are provided throughout on ways in which the horse’s life can be made easier, such as saddle fitting, warming up and cooling down procedures.
Author(s): Sarah Pilliner, Samantha Elmhurst, Zoe Davies
Edition: 1
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 208
Preface......Page 10
Part 1 Anatomy and Conformation......Page 11
Introduction......Page 13
The skeleton......Page 14
Skeletal muscles......Page 17
The skull......Page 21
The neck......Page 23
Nuchal ligament......Page 25
Superficial and deep musculature......Page 26
The skeleton......Page 29
Conformation......Page 34
Musculature......Page 37
The lower limb......Page 40
Stay apparatus of the forelimb......Page 49
Care of the horse’s legs......Page 51
The skeleton......Page 53
Joints of the hind limb......Page 59
Muscles......Page 63
Stay apparatus of the hind limb......Page 67
The skeleton......Page 69
Musculature......Page 70
Nerves......Page 72
Breathing......Page 73
Conformation......Page 75
The skeleton......Page 76
Joints......Page 81
Ligaments......Page 82
Musculature......Page 83
Back injuries and their prevention......Page 84
Part 2 The Horse in Action......Page 87
Anatomical points affecting movement and action......Page 89
Gaits......Page 90
Footfall sequence of the walk......Page 92
Walking on the right rein......Page 93
Moving the forelimb forwards......Page 103
Moving the hind limb forwards......Page 104
Qualities of a good walk......Page 105
Over reaching......Page 106
The walk with rider......Page 107
Footfall sequence of the trot......Page 109
The trot in dressage......Page 124
The ridden trot......Page 126
Lameness......Page 130
Changing the lead......Page 131
Footfall sequence of the canter......Page 132
Cantering with rider......Page 141
Dynamic equilibrium......Page 150
Footfall sequence of the gallop......Page 151
Role of the hind limbs......Page 159
Warming the horse up and down......Page 160
Tips for the rider about safe galloping surfaces......Page 161
Sequence of the jump......Page 162
Evaluating jumping technique......Page 187
Rolling behaviour......Page 189
The rolling sequence......Page 191
Shaking......Page 200
Index......Page 203