The Locomotion of the Horse

Gillian Higgins, Stéphanie Martin – 160 pages. This book helps you understand the fundamentals of equine locomotion so you can make the most of your horse's potential and improve performance whilst ensuring its welfare. By painting the musculoskeletal system directly onto the living horse, the author explains how bones and muscles work together to produce movement. These illustrations, showing exactly what happens as the horse moves, demonstrate how good riding and correct schooling improve fitness, strength and balance. - Part one focuses on technical aspects, introducing the reader to the various components of the horse's musculoskeletal system. - Part two explores practical aspects, from how the horse bends and jumps to how it uses its limbs and maintains a correct outline. Understanding these essential mechanisms helps improve riding, schooling and movement assessment techniques, as well as the horse's performance and the standard of care provided by the rider. - Part three explains how to give your horse greater freedom of movement, offering plenty of practical advice for maintaining optimal muscle condition. The book includes practical exercises and stretches designed to increase suppleness, trust and partnership between horse and rider, whilst reducing the risk of injury.