Rider biomechanics

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a pleasure rider, the research is clear: riders need to consider the impact their physical fitness has on their horse's biomechanics. The stronger and more balanced you are, the better your horse will perform, regardless of the discipline you are enjoying.

Ever given a child a piggyback ride who leans to one side or pushed a wheelbarrow that isn’t evenly loaded? It’s hard work, isn’t it? If as riders we are out of balance, that's effectively what we are asking our horses to do. A postural assessment can reveal how your alignment affects your riding.

The good news is there is A LOT that can be done to enhance your rider fitness and improve your overall effectiveness in the saddle.

These assessments are performed both on and off the horse and include the following components related to horse biomechanics: 

- Functional testing of muscle strength, length, and symmetry of recruitment 

- Postural assessment 

- Palpation of joints and muscles 

- Proprioception/balance assessment 

- Functional assessment of upper and lower extremities 

On-horse assessments utilize visual jackets. Sessions will be recorded in slow motion to allow for detailed observation of ridden posture, coordination, compensation, and balance, all crucial for enhancing rider fitness.

This fantastic piece of technology really helps to provide valuable feedback regarding horse biomechanics, informing the rider about the pressure their hand is applying through the rein to the bit. Through the use of colour coding, we can conduct a postural assessment to learn more about how your posture may be affecting your balance and how you might be compensating for this with your hand—all of which can cause confusion for the horse. 

By educating the rider through visual feedback, it encourages the correct use of the hand, which not only aids in rider fitness but also helps to improve the rider's seat and posture.

If the horse exhibits noticeable asymmetry in its movement, this will inherently affect the way the saddle fits, which in turn influences rider fitness. To assess this, markers are placed on the saddle to evaluate if saddle slip is a factor affecting horse biomechanics during the rider's movements. 

Additionally, a poorly fitting bridle can disrupt the horse's ability to maintain balance; for instance, pressure from a tight brow band on the TMJ can impact the horse's movement all the way down to its hind feet. As a qualified bridle fitter, I will conduct a thorough postural assessment to ensure the bridle is not negatively impacting the horse's biomechanics. 

Lastly, the bit will also be examined for correct fit and suitability to support optimal performance.