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Does your individual biomechanics influence your horse's performance?

An important aspect which is emerging in equine treatment involves how the riders biomechanics is affecting the way the horse is moving. This is not a training issue concerned with using aids but more so has to do with the riders own body. In other words the rider’s body can be sending signals to the horse that are not intended to influence the horse’s movement but the horse is picking up signals which the horse has to allow for in its movement.

For instance a rider with a slight rotation in the pelvis can be exerting different pressure through his or her seat and not even realise this. The outcome can be seen in the way the horse is moving. It is now common for international riders to have regular chiropractic or osteopathic adjustments in order to retain optimum balance and biomechanics.

At a recent conference the effect of adjusting a rider was demonstrated by international horse and rider osteopath Dr Jeff Morrisson while Rowan Kilmartin was left to describe the subtle changes in the horse’s movements.

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