b'strength, balance, and straightness. If the horse goes with his head in the air, that reduces range of motion in the back, and the abdominal muscles wont be engaged like they should be, Dyson says.FACT Not every horse is fit and balancedHorses that have had an injury, illness, or prolonged lack of exercise for any reason could benefit from training aids, says Dyson. Being off work for some time is go-ing to cause loss of some core muscle and back strength, she says. And with ISABELLE BEAU DE LOMENIElameness, horses adapt by reducing back movement, and those muscles can actu-ally start to atrophy (waste away). Once you start to treat the lameness, youve also got to rebuild those muscles so that the horse can move correctly again withUsed properly, draw reins encourage horses to be straight and balanced and to begin to engage the support from the back and core muscles.hind end while maintaining light contact with the bit.For example, using a Pessoa longeing system properly during hand-walking oroptimal coach. Some of these devicesas well as the horse because now theyll occasional longeing, as instructed by ancan be quite helpful to less experiencedboth know what to achieve.equine physiotherapist, could help retrainriders, Clayton adds.those muscles, she says. For instance, the elasticized EquibandFACT Training with devices is Any rehabilitation program after timesystem, which can be used under saddle,harder work for the horse off work for any reason should aim toteaches riders what it feels like when aThese devices might seem simplejust strengthen the whole horse and includehorse is properly rounded, Clayton says.a few cords and straps and elastic here core building exercises, including carrotThese bands get the horse to moveand there. But theyre actually working stretches and the proper use of trainingwith his back more rounded and his hindhorses significantly harder than riding or aids, says Dyson. end more engaged, she says. Some rid- longeing alone, our sources agree. Thats To resolve asymmetry, a simple light- ers have never had the feel of sitting on atrue whether its a full-body system like weight chain or even a bell boot placedhorse that does that. The idea is that thethe Pessoa, local training aids such as fet-around the pastern of the weaker limbrider evolves to be able to ride in a waylock bracelets, or head-and-neck devices works as an effective training aid, saysthat gets the horse in that position inde- like chambons or draw reins. Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, FRCVS,pendently. So this system trains the riderIt depends on the horse as well as Dipl. ACVSMR, McPhail Dressage Chairthe aid, so you cant lay down hard and Emerita at Michigan State Universityfast rules about how much to use them, (MSU) and president of Sport HorseDyson says. Some of them can be quite Science, in Mason, Michigan. Weighingdemanding, so its probably good to alter-as little as a sheet of paper, these devicesnate using them and not using them.remind the horse to pick up that limb,Work sessions with elastic bands, for working the muscles and evening outexample, should be greatly reduced in strength for improved symmetry.length, says Clayton. The horses are initially tapping into muscles they may FACT Sometimes the ridernot normally be using, she says. I gener-needs training, too ally recommend working the horse for We cant all be the most balanced,only about a third of the time of a regular finessed riders. That doesnt mean wetraining session to avoid fatigue.shouldnt ride, but it might mean consid- The best way to know how much is too ALEX BECKSTETT/THE HORSEering training aids. We dont all ride likemuch is to watch your horse, Dyson adds. top competition riders, and many of usPay attention to how well hes tolerating never will, for various reasons, Claytonit, she says. Some can go 15 minutes; says.others might not be able to handle more Those reasons could include a simplethan five. Theyll tell you theyve had lack of training or natural talent of eitherenough by their behaviornot willing Some training aids are as simple as a bell boot the rider or the horse, she says. It couldplaced around the pastern to improve proprio- to go forward properly, pinning the ears also result from not having access to anception and symmetry. back, looking resistant. TheHorse.com|The HorseDecember 201937SportsMed_Dec.indd 37 10/30/19 4:02 PM'