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When we talk about riding, we often discuss the horse's posture: how the horse carries itself and what it means for its health and movement patterns. However, according to Gillian Higgins, it's also highly relevant to consider the horse's posture during the times of day when we are not riding it.
A horse is born with a specific build that cannot be changed. Posture, on the other hand, is dynamic and can be worked on. Good posture is just as important for the horse as it is for us. It ensures, among other things, the optimal use of soft tissues, allowing muscles, tendons, and ligaments to work in good balance, expanding and contracting without hindrance.
Good posture allows the horse to perform, ensures proper circulation throughout the body, and maintains the functionality of the organs and nervous system.
Conversely, poor posture can increase the risk of injury or overstrain. This is partly because poor posture throws the body out of balance and puts undue pressure on some structures, while others are underutilized.
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Try observing your horse and the way it chooses to stand. Does it stand evenly on its legs? How are the legs positioned in relation to the rest of the body? Is the sternum pushed forward or pulled back? What is the shape of the back? These observations can provide valuable insights into your horse's posture and, consequently, its ability to move correctly.
A horse's posture can be problematic in various ways. One of the areas often involved in poor posture is the back. Many horses have sagging backs—even when they are standing and relaxing. When we examine the anatomy of the back, a lowered back will automatically push the spinous processes closer together. When this happens, the space between the 13th and 15th vertebrae is reduced, which is precisely where the rider sits.
A sagging back also limits the horse's ability to make lateral movements and reduces the range of motion in the hip joints. In short, poor back posture significantly impairs the horse's movement capabilities.
Try sitting down and pushing your chest forward, causing your back to arch. Now, try lifting one leg up to your chest. It's quite difficult! Next, round your back and lift your leg in the same way. It’s a simple exercise but quite an eye-opener.
The position of the hind legs is also important. When they are under the body, the back lifts; when they are behind the body, the back sags. This is logical when you look at the body from an anatomical and biomechanical perspective, and it applies to other parts of the body as well.
Gillian Higgins, the founder of Horses Inside Out, has developed a system that allows you to create a measurable training program to improve your horse’s posture. In her webinar “Understanding and Assessing Your Horse’s Posture,” she explains what good and poor posture are and how we can improve our horse’s posture—and thus their comfort, durability, flexibility, and performance—through management, groundwork exercises, and correct riding.
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Source: Understanding and Assessing Your Horse’s Posture, Gillian Higgins.
