Читать книгу 55 Corrective Exercises for Horses - Jec Aristotle Ballou - Страница 17

PURPOSE:

Corrects side-dominance, hindquarter stiffness, and lack of coordination in the hind limbs.

A popular rehabilitation exercise, this simple technique flexes the horse’s hind joints deeply while also recruiting the pelvic stabilizing ligaments and muscles. It can correct side-dominance, hindquarter stiffness, and lack of coordination in the hind limbs. Perform this exercise either ridden or leading from the ground.

1 Find a small hill that allows you to ride sideways across its slope for at least 20 meters (figs. 1.5 A–C). It does not need to be steep. A gentle slope not only allows more stable foot placement but also leads the horse to move out more confidently.1.5 A: Diamante has to bend the joints of his left hind leg more as he’s ridden sideways across a hill with it on the high side of the slope.1.5 B & C: This can improve stifle strength and mobility and increase collection. Be creative! Here we ride sideways on a berm heading to the arena for a schooling session (B). Hills do not need to be long or steep for this exercise. Diamante and I find another slope near his paddock that works just fine (C). Not only are we adding variety to our schooling, we’re improving body symmetry at the same time.

2 Place the horse’s weaker or stiffer hind limb on the uphill side of the slope.

3 Walk a straight line sideways across the hill.

In the case of exaggerated differences in the horse’s hind limbs—that is, one limb is especially weaker or toe-dragging stiff—practice this exercise more frequently with that limb on the uphill side of the slope. Where there is no overt difference like this, for general strength and balance training practice the exercise equally with each hind leg in the more flexed position on the uphill slope. It is acceptable for the horse to take short, cautious steps as long as they maintain a steady forward rhythm.