01/08/2024
So we finally have scientific evidence that the old masters were correct - again!
I have been using this technique for years both on green horses and older horses needing to be retrained. It’s not spectacular and observers often dismiss it due to its slow and unspectacular nature, but if you know what you are looking for, it’s intricate and precise and extremely useful to set up correct healthy movement patterns for your riding horse.
Walking backwards - rein back - step back
This has always been an exercise I recommend and a recent article has used 3D motion capture to explore back and pelvis motion during the movement - Jobst, Zsoldos and Licka, 2024
'A significantly larger maximum and a greater ROM was reached between the withers, thoracic region and sacrum (labelled D-angWmT16S2) in Backwards Walking compared to Forwards walking, indicating a lifting of the back, an effect necessary to facilitate strengthening of the horse’s core and therefore often desired in equine physiotherapy and in equestrian sports (Clayton, 2016; Shakeshaft & Tabor, 2020)'
A few steps backwards - Unmount SD Cardnted - as part of groundwork and before mounting are a really good idea to mobilise your horse's back.
Link to article:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023324001412?via%3Dihub
