Anettte Wilson | 0447337276
Anettte Wilson | 0447337276
We all know and understand using weights and resistance bands for strength and endurance training in humans has been applied for many years. Exercises and strength training as well as manual therapy are prescribed and designed specifically for all my patients. People can follow instructions, do sets and reps, and measure their outcomes. However, when training your horse this is not possible, but we do know the concepts and principles can be applied to our equine athlete. Furthermore, applying the weights and loading the moving parts of the horse can induce the recruitment of fibers for building strength.
The horse industry has traditionally used hills, poles, interval training, and endurance training for strength training with excellent results.
Sadly in addition to the above many trainers incorporate reins, straps, tie-downs, etc. involving some kind of force to train muscle strength in their horse. This is forced!
We do not use these methods in human training.
Any restraint such as side reins, long reins, or draw reins can guide and or force a horse into a posture. The resistance is always along the lines of restraint.
The restraint has two fixed points, but the horse can move in and out of the desired posture you want. The horse can also lean into the force.
Therefore, the force can vary in the direction it is applied and the effect it has on the muscles. The horse may well yield with the force and it may work.
However, many horses’ try and escape from the force, and often the wrong posture muscles are trained. Consequently, incorrect postures are established leading to unsoundness, poor mechanics, and pain in many cases.
Furthermore, your training may well be cruel, causing pain and suffering for no advantage! I know many trainers are not cruel and have success with these methods.
This type of training to build a topline and force a frame does not work and is painful for the horse.
I would like to introduce and convert trainers
to an application used in human training and apply it to the equine industry. My Physiotherapy education has given me the knowledge to apply specific weight training for horses based on the Biomechanical Movement Patterns the horse works with and applying interval and variable weight training sessions.
Weights work against gravity and are not variable in direction. I have designed sessions to perform static work ( hold the weight still, used for self-carriage in dressage) or dynamic work (move the weight through a range for power and endurance in performance horses). Research has proven dynamic weight training builds muscle tone, strength, and endurance. Isometric or static training in specific intervals builds collagen strength in tendons.
I have designed and developed a system to build the neck and back topline muscles, the core muscles, the pelvic stabilizers, and the hip muscles, all naturally. Self-carriage of the horse’s neck on the chest and head on the neck coordinate and develop naturally. This system builds symmetrical strength, endurance, and stability in the horse using gravity as the force and variable weights in variable increments and timing. Deactivating overactive muscles is also required.
The horse works the weights to build muscles in a natural biomechanical movement pattern. From a starting point, we can build the amount of weight the type of movement, and the interval of each session and between sessions. As the weight increases, the time reduces.
A uniquely designed equine leg weight boot and a variable weight bag for specific topline weight training for horses are proving safe, kind, easy to apply, and most importantly effective and functional. The horse has no restraints, and no pulleys and works their own body against gravity in both a static (isometric) and dynamic (eccentric and concentric) work pattern.
Physiotherapy research has much information on interval training for strength and tendon conditioning. I have been able to clinically apply this information to the equine industry.
This concept is ideal for equine rehab after an injury, for racing horses on a walker machine, for dressage and show jumpers to build an athletic body, and for show horses to build and sculpt muscles and shape.
The product is being clinically trialed with excellent results and feedback. Prototypes for the boots and the weight bag are being tweaked to ensure comfort for the horse and ease to apply for the trainer. The guidelines for the 6-week program will be adaptable and require compliance for success.
If the program is followed correctly then your horse will become strong through his body, symmetrical with his movement, and build a functionally strong, good-looking topline. Any injured areas may require detailed rehab sessions and more time. (You need to consult your vet).
I hope trainers look at this system and begin to change the way horses are trained for strength, endurance, symmetry, and true self-carriage.
If you are keen to find out more contact me. If you are ready to jump in and change the way you strengthen your horse you can buy the complete package here APR Topline Strength Training System.
For more information on this unique Physio-based strength training program contact me via the contact tab.
For further information on this new concept have a look at my Equitana presentation introducing this topic the the audience.
In addition to my YouTube channel, I post tips and advice via my Applied Posture Riding Facebook page.
You can investigate further and purchase this unique system by watching the videos here. Shop
