Fitness Evaluation of the Horse

Fitness Evaluation of the Horse

Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Copyright © 2008 by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt. All rights reserved.

Howell Book House

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600, or on the web at www.copyright.com. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, (317) 572-3447, fax (317) 572-4355, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, Howell Book House, and related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising here from. The fact that an organization or Website is referred to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher endorses the information the organization or Website may provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers should be aware that Internet Websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.

For general information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at (800) 762-2974, outside the U.S. at (317) 572-3993 or fax (317) 572-4002.

Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. For more information about Wiley products, please visit our web site at www.wiley.com.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Hourdebaigt, Jean-Pierre.

Fitness evaluation of the horse / Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 978-0-470-19229-0 (alk. paper)

1. Horsemanship. 2. Horses—Training. 3. Physical fitness. I.Title.

SF309.H684 2008

636.1 '3—dc22

2007044695

Printed in the United States of America

10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

Book design by Erin Zeltner

Cover design by José Almaguer

Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services

CONTENTS

List of Figures

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Anatomical Terms

Introduction

Part I: Preparation

l.Palpation Skills

Touch

The Four T’s

Pressure, Contact, and Rhythm

Attitude

Observation

Recognizing Signs of Inflammation

Summary

2.Massage Awareness for Your Palpation Evaluation

Massage Movements

Stroking

Effleurage

Wringing Up

Kneading

Skin Rolling

Friction

The SEW/WES Approach

Summary

3.The Relaxation Massage Routine

Relaxation Massage Routine

Poll Work

Back Work

Sacrum Work

Tail Work

Summary

4.Stretching

How to Stretch

The Easy Stretch

The Deeper Stretch

The Spontaneous Stretch

The Foreleg Stretches

The Shoulder Rotation

The Hind Leg Stretches

The Back Muscles Stretches

The Tail Stretch

Neck Stretches

Summary

5.Anatomical Review

Dentition

The Skeleton

The Axial Skeleton

The Appendicular Skeleton

Spinal Subluxation

Ligaments and Joints of the Horse

The Equine Muscular System

Muscles

Tendons

Trigger Points

Stress Points

Summary

6.Conformation and Stances Evaluation

Conformation

Front-Leg Conformation

Hind-Leg Conformation

Horse Stances

Weight Distribution Evaluation

Summary

Part II: The Riding Evaluation Program (REP)

The Arena

The Normal Gait

Praising

New Horse

The Horse’s Demeanor

Relaxing Your Horse

Proper Tack

Self-Scrutiny

7.The REP Starting Point

Contact

Being Square

Stepping Backward

Impulsion

Rhythm

Is Your Horse Jigging at Walk?

Inside–Outside

Straightness

Straightness in Turns

Collection

Stretching the Neck During the REP

8.Signs of Problems with Your Horse

Back Problems

Difficulty in Engaging the Hindquarters

Head Tossing

Neck Problems

Refusal to Pick up a Canter

Taking the Bit

9.The Riding Evaluation Program (REP) Exercises

Exercise 1: Straight Lines

Exercise 2: Half Circles and Figure-8s

Exercise 3: Serpentines

Exercise 4: Lateral Work with Leg Yield

Exercise 5: Lateral Work with Shoulder-in

10.The Walk

The Natural Walk

Reading Your Tracks

Curve

Walk Variations

The Medium Walk

The Collected Walk

The Extended Walk

The Walk Leg Yield Exercise

The Shoulder-in Exercise

Transitions

Walk-Halt Transition

Walk-Trot Transition

Walk-Canter Transition

11.The Trot

The Natural Trot

The Rising Trot

The Sitting Trot

Trot Variations

The Lengthened Trot

The Collected Trot

The Medium Trot

The Extended Trot

The Trot Leg Yield Exercise

The Trot Shoulder-in Exercise

Trot Transitions

Trot-Walk Transition

Trot-Halt Transition

Trot-Canter Transition

12.The Canter

The Natural Canter

Canter Variations

The Working Canter

The Lengthened Canter

The Collected Canter

The Medium Canter

The Extended Canter

Canter Transitions

The Canter-Trot Transition

Canter-Walk Transition

Canter-Halt Transition

13.More Advanced Riding and Jumping

The Haunches-in (Travers) Exercise

The Haunches-out (Renvers) Exercise

The Turning on the Forehand Exercise

The Turning on the Haunches Exercise

Cavallettis and Jumps

Cavallettis

14.The REP Routine

First Part: The Walk

Second Part: The Trot

Third Part: The Canter

Fourth Part: Advanced Riding and Jumping

Conclusion

Part III: The Palpation Evaluation Program (PEP)

15.The 25-Point Program

Early Practice

Recommendations about the PEP

Patience

Praising

Treats

Choosing a Location

Positioning the Horse

The Horse’s Feedback

Touch-Shyness

PEP Application: Before or after Exercising?

Time Factor

Contraindications

16.The Head and Neck: Points 1 to 5

Point 1: Dental Examination

Point 2: The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Checking the Opening of the Mouth

Point 3: The Upper Neck

Palpating the Upper Neck

Point 4: The Midneck

Palpating the Midneck

Point 5: The Lower Neck

Palpating the Lower Neck

Associated Stress Points of the Neck

Stretching the Neck

17.The Back: Points 6 to 12

Point 6: The Withers

Point 7: The Rest of the Thoracic Spine

Point 8: The Rib Cage

Point 9: The Lumbar Spine

Point 10: The Sacrum

Point 11: The Tail

Point 12: The Hip

Pelvis Misalignment

Pelvis Tilt

Unilateral and Bilateral Hip Misalignment

Stress Points

Stretching the Back

18.The Forelimb: Points 13 to 19

Leg Conformation

Point 13: The Shoulder Blade

The Shoulder Girdle Muscles

The Scapular Muscles

Point 14: The Point of Shoulder

Point 15: The Elbow

Point 16: The Knee Joint

Point 17: The Canon Bone, the Suspensory Ligament, and the Flexor Tendon

Point 18: The Fetlock

Point 19: The Pastern Bones and Hoof

The Hoof

Stretching the Foreleg

Associated Stress Points

19.The Hind Limb: Points 20 to 25

Point 20: The Coxofemoral Joint

Point 21: The Stifle Joint

Point 22: The Hock Joint

Fetlock, Pastern, and Digit of the Hind Limb

Point 23: The Suspensory Ligament and the Flexor Tendon

Point 24: The Fetlock

Point 25: The Pastern Bones and Hoof

Stretching the Hind Leg

Associated Stress Points

20.Recap from the PEP

Conclusion

Index

LIST OF FIGURES

2.1Stroking Massage Movement

2.2Effleurage Massage Movement

2.3Wringing Up Movement

2.4Petrissage: Kneading Movement

2.5Skin Rolling Movement

2.6Thumb Friction Movement

2.7Hand Friction Movement

2.8Double-Hand Friction Movement

3.1Relaxation Massage Routine Outline, Short Version: (1) Poll Work, (2) Back Work, (3) Sacrum Work, (4) Tail Work

3.2Poll Work

3.3Back Work

3.4Sacrum Work

3.5Raising the Tail Movement

3.6Question Mark Movement

3.7Turning Tail Movement

3.8Stretching the Tail Out

3.9Squeezing Each Tail Vertebra

4.1Foreleg Forward Easy Stretch

4.2Foreleg Forward Deep Stretch

4.3Foreleg Backward Easy Stretch

4.4Foreleg Backward Deep Stretch

4.5Shoulder Rotation Stretch

4.6Shoulder Side Stretch

4.7Hind Leg Forward Easy Stretch

4.8Hind Leg Forward Deep Stretch

4.9Hind Leg Backward Easy Stretch

4.10Hind Leg Backward Deep Stretch

4.11Hind Leg Transverse Stretch

4.12Back Muscle Stretch from the Pectorals

4.13Back Muscle Stretch from the Hinds

4.14Raising the Tail Stretch

4.15Question Mark Stretch

4.16Tail Stretch

4.17Lateral Neck Stretch to Point of Shoulder

4.18Lateral Neck Stretch to Point of Hip

4.19Lateral Neck Stretch, Midway

4.20Neck Flexion Stretch

4.21Neck Extension Stretch

5.1Equine Teeth

5.2Equine Incisors Arch

5.3Curve of Spee

5.4Curve of Wilson

5.5The Equine Skeleton

5.6The Axial Skeleton

5.7The Appendicular Skeleton: Forelimb and Hind Limb

5.8The Joints of the Horse

5.9The Ligaments of the Horse

5.10Cross Section of a Skeletal Muscle

5.11Muscles of the Horse, Superficial Layer

5.12Muscles of the Horse, Anterior (Front) View

5.13Muscles of the Horse, Posterior (Rear) View

5.14Muscles of the Horse, Deeper Layer

5.15Schematic Diagram of a Trigger Point

5.16Schematic Diagram of a Stress Point

5.17Equine Stress Point, Side View Chart (MAInc. 1995)

5.18Equine Stress Point, Front and Hind View Chart

6.1Front Leg Ideal Cranial Plumb Line

6.2Front Leg Ideal Lateral Plumb Line

6.3Hind Leg Ideal Caudal Plumb Line

6.4Hind Leg Ideal Lateral Plumb Line

6.5Horse Camped-Under

6.6Horse Camped Out, Tied Up

6.7Float Line Diagram

Part II.1Standard Arena with Letters

7.1Standing Square

7.2Rein Back Exercise

7.3Inside-Outside Diagram

9.1Exercise 1: Straight Lines Diagram

9.2Exercise 2: Half Circles

9.3Arena with Markers

9.4Exercise 3: The Serpentine Diagram

9.5Exercise 4: Lateral Work with Leg Yield Diagram

9.6Exercise 5: Lateral Work with Shoulder-in Diagram

10.1Walk the Straight Line Diagram

10.2The Natural Walk

10.3The Horse Tracks: Tracking Up and Overtracking

10.4Walk the Loose Curves Diagram

10.5Walk the Serpentine Diagram

10.6The Medium Walk

10.7The Collected Walk

10.8The Extended Walk

10.9The Walk Leg Yield Exercise Diagram

10.10The Walk Shoulder-in Exercise Diagram

11.1The Rising Trot

11.2The Trot Suppling Exercise Diagram

11.3The Sitting-Working Trot

11.4The Lengthened Trot

11.5The Collected Trot

11.6The Medium Trot

11.7The Extended Trot

11.8The Trot Leg Yield Exercise Diagram

12.1The Natural Canter

12.2The Working Canter

12.3The Lengthened Canter

12.4The Collected Canter

12.5The Medium Canter

12.6The Extended Canter

13.1The Haunches-in (Travers) Exercise

13.2The Haunches-out (Renvers) Exercise

13.3The Turning on the Forehand Exercise

13.4The Turning on the Haunches Exercise

13.5Cavalletti Grid

13.6Walking over Cavallettis

13.7Trotting over Cavallettis

13.8Cavalletti Grid with Jumps

13.9Jumping over Cross-Rails

13.10Jumping over a Straight Fence

14.1Warming Up Long and Low

15.1The 25-Point Palpation Evaluation Program Outline

15.2Horse Relaxed (A)/Tense (B)

15.3The Palpation Evaluation Program, First Pass Outline

16.1Checking Incisor Teeth Alignment

16.2Checking Teeth, Opening Mouth

16.3Checking Teeth, Holding Tongue

16.4Checking Premolars and Molars

16.5Checking Teeth with Free Hand

16.6Checking Teeth Externally

16.7Checking the TMJ

16.8Rocking the Lower Mandible

16.9Checking the Opening of the Mouth, Left

16.10Checking the Opening of the Mouth, Right

16.11Proper Positioning to Palpate C0-C1

16.12Checking the Midneck Cervical Vertebrae

16.13Checking the Lower Neck Cervical Vertebrae

16.14Checking SP1

16.15Checking SP2

16.16Checking SP3

16.17Checking SP4

17.1The Spinal Skeleton

17.2Anchoring Fingers onto the Withers

17.3Rocking the Withers

17.4Checking the Withers from Above

17.5Palpating the Withers from Above

17.6Checking the Thoracic Spine, Standing at the Side of the Horse

17.7Checking the Thoracic Spine, Standing on a Block

17.8Checking the Rib Cage, Standing at the Side of the Horse

17.9Checking the Rib Cage, Standing on a Block

17.10Checking the Lumbar Spine, Standing at the Side of the Horse

17.11Checking the Lumbar Spine, Standing on a Block

17.12The Sacrum

17.13Checking the Sacrum, Standing at the Side of the Horse

17.14Checking the Sacrum, Standing on a Block

17.15Sacrum, with Hooves

17.16Picking up the Tail

17.17Tail Rotation

17.18Tail Stretch

17.19Tail Stretch with Squeezings

17.20Lifting the Tail to See Median Line

17.21Checking SP20

17.22Checking SP21

17.23Checking SP22

17.24Checking SP23

17.25Checking SP24

17.26Checking SP25

17.27Checking SP26

18.1Front Leg Ideal Cranial Plumb Line

18.2Front Lateral Plumb Line

18.3Standing by Horse, Warming Up the Shoulder Blade

18.4Standing by Horse, Checking the Trapezius and Rhomboideus

18.5Standing by Horse, Checking the Serratus Ventralis Cervicis and Thoracis

18.6Stretching the Foreleg Laterally to Affect the Subscapularis Muscle

18.7Double-Hand Friction over the Suprascapular Muscles

18.8Gentle Friction over the Biceps Brachii

18.9Gentle Palpation over the Point of Elbow

18.10Gentle Palpation of the Upper Radius Bone

18.11Gentle Palpation of the Lower Radius Bone

18.12Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Knee

18.13Gentle Friction of the Knee

18.14Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Canon Bone

18.15Knee Bent, Palpation of the Flexor Tendon and Suspensory Ligament

18.16Suspensory Ligament Stretch, Preparation

18.17Suspensory Ligament Stretch, Development

18.18Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Fetlock Joint

18.19Checking the Sesamoid Bones

18.20Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Pastern Bones

18.21Checking the Pastern Bone (P1) Flexibility

18.22Checking the Pastern Bone (P2) Flexibility

18.23Flexing the Hoof

18.24Extending the Hoof

18.25Checking Lateral Cartilages of the Hoof

18.26Holding the Hoof in a Neutral Position

18.27Rotating Hoof Laterally

18.28Rotating Hoof Medially

18.29Checking SP5

18.30Checking SP6, SP7, and SP8

18.31Checking SP9

18.32Checking SP10

18.33Checking SP11

18.34Checking SP12

18.35Checking SP13

18.36Checking SP14

18.37Checking SP15

18.38Checking SP16

18.39Checking SP17

18.40Checking SP18

18.41Checking SP19

19.1Hind Legs Ideal Caudal Plumb Line

19.2Hind Legs Ideal Lateral Plumb Line

19.3Palpation of the Greater Trochanter of the Head of Femur

19.4Palpation of the Tertiary Trochanter of the Head of Femur

19.5Palpation of the Hamstring Muscle Group

19.6Palpation of the Quadriceps Muscle Group of the Thigh

19.7Palpation of the Stifle Joint

19.8Palpation of the Gaskin

19.9Palpation of the Hock Laterally

19.10Palpation of the Hock Medially

19.11Palpation of the Hock Posteriorally

19.12Position to Evaluate the Lower Hind Leg (Farrier Position)

19.13Farrier Position with Contracted Hind Leg

19.14Farrier Position, Stroking the Flexor Tendon

19.15Position to Evaluate the Tendon and Ligament of Lower Hind Leg

19.16Position to Evaluate the Collateral Ligament of the Fetlock of Lower Hind Leg

19.17Position to Evaluate the Sesamoid Bones of Fetlock of Lower Hind Leg

19.18Position to Evaluate the Pastern and Hoof of Lower Hind Leg

19.19Position to Evaluate the Hoof Lateral Cartilages

19.20Flexion of Hoof

19.21Extension of Hoof

19.22Holding the Hoof Neutral

19.23Rotating the Hoof Laterally

19.24Rotating the Hoof Medially

19.25Checking SP27

19.26Checking SP28

19.27Checking SP29

19.28Checking SP30

19.29Checking SP31

19.30Checking SP32

19.31Checking SP33

19.32Checking SP34

19.33Checking SP35

19.34Checking SP36

19.35Checking SP37

19.36Checking SP38

19.37Checking SP39

19.38Checking SP40

FOREWORD

Having known and worked professionally with Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt for the last several years, I have enjoyed contributing to this project during the last twelve months. Jean-Pierre is a remarkable horseman, possessing a clear understanding of the horse’s body, mind, and spirit.

Being an experienced rider and trainer, I feel this book is both educational and inspirational. Jean-Pierre’s definitions and explanations of the horse’s movements and their relationship to the rider are useful for all levels of riding and have proved to be refreshing new outlook for me. Also, with his great knowledge of the equine anatomy, he has created a simple palpation routine to verify the fitness of our horse’s muscular system.

I encourage you to read this book and incorporate it into your daily routine. I am sure you will find it an invaluable tool, which will become a constant reference for you over the years.

Michele M. Grubb

Professional Rider

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My sincere gratitude goes to all the horse people and other professionals who have shared with me their stories, their needs and hopes, and most importantly their knowledge and feedback over the years. This life-sharing experience has been a source of inspiration to me.

For making this publication possible, I specially thank:

Brigitte Hourdebaigt, for making my life a beautiful experience every day.

Michele Grubb, for her valuable professional input and for contributing to the ideas necessary to perfect the REP program in the second part of this book.

Brigitte Hawkins, for her professional talent in taking the photos used in this book.

Jennifer Markee and Emily Marshack, for their equestrian talents and their professional input.

ANATOMICAL TERMS

To better understand the information and instructions given in this book, here is a list of anatomical terms and their respective definitions.

Caudal: in direction of the hinds, the tail; the opposite of cranial.

Cranial: in direction of the head; the opposite of caudal.

Rostral: equivalent to cranial when over the head.

Distal: in direction of the extremity of a limb; the opposite of proximal.

Proximal: close to the beginning of the limb; the opposite of distal.

Dorsal: in direction of the dorso, the upper line of the horse; the opposite of ventral.

Ventral: in direction of the abdomen, the lower line; the opposite of dorsal.

Lateral: away from the median plane, which divides the body in two parts; the opposite of medial.

Medial: close to the median plane, which divides the body in two; the opposite of lateral.

Palmar: equivalent to ventral when dealing with the foreleg hoof; the opposite of dorsal.

Plantar: equivalent to ventral when dealing with the hind leg hoof; the opposite of dorsal.

INTRODUCTION

Horses are a living paradox: they are big and strong, and yet also fragile. Regardless of your professional or amateur status as a horseperson, and which discipline you are involved in, you and your horse will go through a lot of miles together, both in training and in competition. The general objective of this book is to provide you with important knowledge that will help you evaluate your horse’s fitness and possibly solve some of the problems he may show. This fitness evaluation program will help you to improve your relationship with your animal in several ways. You will be able to:

Identify the strong and weak areas of your horse.

Better understand your horse’s aptitudes.

Select a specific exercise program to balance and strengthen your horse, and progress in your riding performance.

Identify early signs and symptoms of strain in your horse, and therefore prevent complications or injuries.

Better care for your horse.

Save time and money by contacting your veterinarian early in the process.

This fitness evaluation program will also put at your fingertips some simple massage palpation skills to evaluate several key anatomical areas on the horse. Your horse will love you for it. The knowledge gained from this book will allow you to easily and quickly perform your personal evaluation of your horse or any horse, anywhere, and at any time. The expertise gained from this book will save you a lot of time and money as you will be able to evaluate and prevent any problems. This knowledge will be with you for the years to come.

This book has been organized in three parts.

Part I gives you important information on how to secure the best conditions to carry out