Training effects

Training is essential for horses competing in any discipline, to allow cardiovascular and musculoskeletal development appropriate to their level of performance. An understanding of the effects of training on the metabolic, physiological and biomechanical performance of the sports horse is useful for the vet or researcher in understanding normal variation, and in understanding how best to manage these athletes.

Training effects in riding horses

When considering the riding horse, it is immediately apparent to the observer that a pleasure horse moves very differently to an advanced dressage horse. Advanced dressage horses are capable of more direct and ‘true’ transitions than novice animals [1], and elite Andalucians exhibit a longer stance and swing duration under saddle [2], with an increase in vertical body motion [3] which is consistent with advanced training, which aims for increased collection and elevation as training progresses. However, these adaptations appear to take years rather than months, as a short training period of 70 days has little effect on ‘good’ gait characteristics, with horses actually showing a decrease in hip, stifle and tarsal flexion after being broken to saddle [4].  […]