Fitness Evaluation of the Horse - 1st Edition
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CONTENTS
List of Figures .........................................................ix
Foreword ...............................................................xv
Acknowledgments..................................................xvi
Anatomical Terms .................................................xvii
Introduction ..........................................................xix
Part I: Preparation
l. Palpation Skills.........................................................2
Touch 2
The Four T’s 3
Pressure, Contact, and Rhythm 5
Attitude 7
Observation 7
Recognizing Signs of Inflammation 8
Summary 9
2. Massage Awareness for Your Palpation Evaluation ......10
Massage Movements 10
Stroking 10
Effleurage 11
Wringing Up 12
Kneading 13
Skin Rolling 14
Friction 15
The SEW/WES Approach 17
Summary 18
3. The Relaxation Massage Routine..............................19
Relaxation Massage Routine 21
Poll Work 21
Back Work 21
Sacrum Work 22
Tail Work 22
Summary 23
iii
iv Contents
4. Stretching...............................................................25
How to Stretch 25
The Easy Stretch 26
The Deeper Stretch 26
The Spontaneous Stretch 26
The Foreleg Stretches 26
The Shoulder Rotation 29
The Hind Leg Stretches 29
The Back Muscles Stretches 33
The Tail Stretch 35
Neck Stretches 36
Summary 40
5. Anatomical Review .................................................41
Dentition 42
The Skeleton 43
The Axial Skeleton 46
The Appendicular Skeleton 47
Spinal Subluxation 47
Ligaments and Joints of the Horse 48
The Equine Muscular System 51
Muscles 51
Tendons 52
Trigger Points 56
Stress Points 57
Summary 58
6. Conformation and Stances Evaluation ......................62
Conformation 62
Front-Leg Conformation 63
Hind-Leg Conformation 66
Horse Stances 68
Weight Distribution Evaluation 72
Summary 73
Part II: The Riding Evaluation Program (REP)
The Arena 75
The Normal Gait 75
Praising 76
New Horse 76
The Horse’s Demeanor 76
Relaxing Your Horse 77
Proper Tack 77
Self-Scrutiny 77
Contents v
7. The REP Starting Point ..........................................78
Contact 78
Being Square 79
Stepping Backward 80
Impulsion 81
Rhythm 82
Is Your Horse “Jigging” at Walk? 83
Inside–Outside 83
Straightness 84
Straightness in Turns 84
Collection 85
Stretching the Neck During the REP 85
8. Signs of Problems with Your Horse ..........................86
Back Problems 86
Difficulty in Engaging the Hindquarters 87
Head Tossing 87
Neck Problems 88
Refusal to Pick up a Canter 88
Taking the Bit 88
9. The Riding Evaluation Program (REP) Exercises.......89
Exercise 1: Straight Lines 90
Exercise 2: Half Circles and Figure-8s 90
Exercise 3: Serpentines 92
Exercise 4: Lateral Work with Leg Yield 93
Exercise 5: Lateral Work with Shoulder-in 95
10. The Walk................................................................96
The Natural Walk 96
Reading Your Tracks 99
Curve 100
Walk Variations 102
The Medium Walk 102
The Collected Walk 103
The Extended Walk 103
The Walk Leg Yield Exercise 104
The Shoulder-in Exercise 105
Transitions 106
Walk-Halt Transition 106
Walk-Trot Transition 107
Walk-Canter Transition 107
vi Contents
11. The Trot ...............................................................108
The Natural Trot 108
The Rising Trot 108
The Sitting Trot 111
Trot Variations 112
The Lengthened Trot 112
The Collected Trot 113
The Medium Trot 114
The Extended Trot 114
The Trot Leg Yield Exercise 115
The Trot Shoulder-in Exercise 116
Trot Transitions 116
Trot-Walk Transition 117
Trot-Halt Transition 117
Trot-Canter Transition 117
12. The Canter ...........................................................119
The Natural Canter 119
Canter Variations 121
The Working Canter 121
The Lengthened Canter 122
The Collected Canter 123
The Medium Canter 123
The Extended Canter 124
Canter Transitions 125
The Canter-Trot Transition 125
Canter-Walk Transition 126
Canter-Halt Transition 126
13. More Advanced Riding and Jumping ......................127
The Haunches-in (Travers) Exercise 127
The Haunches-out (Renvers) Exercise 128
The Turning on the Forehand Exercise 129
The Turning on the Haunches Exercise 129
Cavallettis and Jumps 131
Cavallettis 131
14. The REP Routine .................................................136
First Part:The Walk 136
Second Part:The Trot 137
Third Part:The Canter 138
Fourth Part: Advanced Riding and Jumping 138
Conclusion 138
Contents vii
Part III: The Palpation Evaluation Program (PEP)
15. The 25-Point Program...........................................142
Early Practice 144
Recommendations about the PEP 144
Patience 144
Praising 144
Treats 145
Choosing a Location 145
Positioning the Horse 145
The Horse’s Feedback 146
Touch-Shyness 147
PEP Application: Before or after Exercising? 148
Time Factor 148
Contraindications 150
16. The Head and Neck: Points 1 to 5 ..........................151
Point 1: Dental Examination 152
Point 2:The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) 156
Checking the Opening of the Mouth 157
Point 3:The Upper Neck 159
Palpating the Upper Neck 159
Point 4:The Midneck 161
Palpating the Midneck 161
Point 5:The Lower Neck 162
Palpating the Lower Neck 163
Associated Stress Points of the Neck 164
Stretching the Neck 164
17. The Back: Points 6 to 12........................................167
Point 6:The Withers 169
Point 7:The Rest of the Thoracic Spine 172
Point 8:The Rib Cage 174
Point 9:The Lumbar Spine 176
Point 10:The Sacrum 178
Point 11:The Tail 181
Point 12:The Hip 184
Pelvis Misalignment 184
Pelvis Tilt 184
Unilateral and Bilateral Hip Misalignment 185
Stress Points 186
Stretching the Back 190
viii Contents
18. The Forelimb: Points 13 to 19 ................................191
Leg Conformation 192
Point 13:The Shoulder Blade 193
The Shoulder Girdle Muscles 194
The Scapular Muscles 196
Point 14:The Point of Shoulder 197
Point 15:The Elbow 197
Point 16:The Knee Joint 199
Point 17:The Canon Bone, the Suspensory Ligament,
and the Flexor Tendon 201
Point 18:The Fetlock 204
Point 19:The Pastern Bones and Hoof 206
The Hoof 208
Stretching the Foreleg 212
Associated Stress Points 213
19. The Hind Limb: Points 20 to 25 .............................221
Point 20:The Coxofemoral Joint 223
Point 21:The Stifle Joint 226
Point 22:The Hock Joint 228
Fetlock, Pastern, and Digit of the Hind Limb 230
Point 23:The Suspensory Ligament and the Flexor Tendon 231
Point 24:The Fetlock 232
Point 25:The Pastern Bones and Hoof 232
Stretching the Hind Leg 235
Associated Stress Points 235
20. Recap from the PEP .............................................242
Conclusion ...........................................................245
Index....................................................................247
LIST OF FIGURES
2.1 Stroking Massage Movement ............................................11
2.2 Effleurage Massage Movement ..........................................12
2.3 Wringing Up Movement..................................................13
2.4 Petrissage: Kneading Movement ........................................14
2.5 Skin Rolling Movement ...................................................15
2.6 Thumb Friction Movement ..............................................16
2.7 Hand Friction Movement .................................................16
2.8 Double-Hand Friction Movement ....................................17
3.1 Relaxation Massage Routine Outline, Short Version:
(1) Poll Work, (2) Back Work, (3) Sacrum Work,
(4) Tail Work .....................................................................20
3.2 Poll Work..........................................................................21
3.3 Back Work ........................................................................21
3.4 Sacrum Work ....................................................................22
3.5 Raising the Tail Movement ...............................................23
3.6 Question Mark Movement ...............................................23
3.7 Turning Tail Movement ....................................................23
3.8 Stretching the Tail Out......................................................24
3.9 Squeezing Each Tail Vertebra .............................................24
4.1 Foreleg Forward Easy Stretch............................................27
4.2 Foreleg Forward Deep Stretch ..........................................28
4.3 Foreleg Backward Easy Stretch ........................................28
4.4 Foreleg Backward Deep Stretch .......................................29
4.5 Shoulder Rotation Stretch ...............................................30
4.6 Shoulder Side Stretch ......................................................30
4.7 Hind Leg Forward Easy Stretch ........................................31
4.8 Hind Leg Forward Deep Stretch .......................................32
4.9 Hind Leg Backward Easy Stretch ......................................32
4.10 Hind Leg Backward Deep Stretch.....................................33
4.11 Hind Leg Transverse Stretch..............................................34
4.12 Back Muscle Stretch from the Pectorals ............................34
4.13 Back Muscle Stretch from the Hinds.................................35
4.14 Raising the Tail Stretch .....................................................35
4.15 Question Mark Stretch .....................................................36
4.16 Tail Stretch .......................................................................36
ix
x List of Figures
4.17 Lateral Neck Stretch to Point of Shoulder ........................37
4.18 Lateral Neck Stretch to Point of Hip ................................38
4.19 Lateral Neck Stretch, Midway ...........................................38
4.20 Neck Flexion Stretch........................................................39
4.21 Neck Extension Stretch ....................................................39
5.1 Equine Teeth.....................................................................42
5.2 Equine Incisors Arch.........................................................43
5.3 Curve of Spee...................................................................44
5.4 Curve of Wilson ..............................................................44
5.5 The Equine Skeleton ........................................................45
5.6 The Axial Skeleton ..........................................................46
5.7 The Appendicular Skeleton: Forelimb and Hind Limb ......47
5.8 The Joints of the Horse ....................................................49
5.9 The Ligaments of the Horse .............................................50
5.10 Cross Section of a Skeletal Muscle ....................................51
5.11 Muscles of the Horse, Superficial Layer .............................53
5.12 Muscles of the Horse, Anterior (Front) View .....................54
5.13 Muscles of the Horse, Posterior (Rear) View .....................54
5.14 Muscles of the Horse, Deeper Layer..................................55
5.15 Schematic Diagram of a Trigger Point .............................56
5.16 Schematic Diagram of a Stress Point ................................57
5.17 Equine Stress Point, Side View Chart (MAInc. 1995) ........59
5.18 Equine Stress Point, Front and Hind View Chart...............61
6.1 Front Leg Ideal Cranial Plumb Line..................................64
6.2 Front Leg Ideal Lateral Plumb Line...................................66
6.3 Hind Leg Ideal Caudal Plumb Line ..................................68
6.4 Hind Leg Ideal Lateral Plumb Line ...................................68
6.5 Horse Camped-Under ......................................................70
6.6 Horse Camped Out,Tied Up ...........................................71
6.7 Float Line Diagram ..........................................................72
Part II.1 Standard Arena with Letters ..............................................75
7.1 Standing Square ................................................................79
7.2 Rein Back Exercise...........................................................81
7.3 Inside-Outside Diagram....................................................83
9.1 Exercise 1: Straight Lines Diagram ....................................90
9.2 Exercise 2: Half Circles .....................................................91
9.3 Arena with Markers ..........................................................92
9.4 Exercise 3:The Serpentine Diagram..................................92
9.5 Exercise 4: Lateral Work with Leg Yield Diagram ..............94
9.6 Exercise 5: Lateral Work with Shoulder-in Diagram ..........95
10.1 Walk the Straight Line Diagram........................................97
10.2 The Natural Walk .............................................................97
10.3 The Horse Tracks:Tracking Up and Overtracking.............99
10.4 Walk the Loose Curves Diagram ....................................101
10.5 Walk the Serpentine Diagram ........................................101
List of Figures xi
10.6 The Medium Walk..........................................................102
10.7 The Collected Walk ........................................................103
10.8 The Extended Walk ........................................................104
10.9 The Walk Leg Yield Exercise Diagram.............................105
10.10 The Walk Shoulder-in Exercise Diagram ........................105
11.1 The Rising Trot .............................................................109
11.2 The Trot Suppling Exercise Diagram...............................110
11.3 The Sitting-Working Trot ...............................................111
11.4 The Lengthened Trot ......................................................112
11.5 The Collected Trot .........................................................113
11.6 The Medium Trot ...........................................................114
11.7 The Extended Trot..........................................................115
11.8 The Trot Leg Yield Exercise Diagram ..............................116
12.1 The Natural Canter ........................................................120
12.2 The Working Canter .......................................................121
12.3 The Lengthened Canter..................................................122
12.4 The Collected Canter .....................................................123
12.5 The Medium Canter.......................................................124
12.6 The Extended Canter .....................................................125
13.1 The Haunches-in (Travers) Exercise ................................128
13.2 The Haunches-out (Renvers) Exercise ............................129
13.3 The Turning on the Forehand Exercise ...........................130
13.4 The Turning on the Haunches Exercise .........................130
13.5 Cavalletti Grid ...............................................................132
13.6 Walking over Cavallettis .................................................132
13.7 Trotting over Cavallettis .................................................133
13.8 Cavalletti Grid with Jumps..............................................134
13.9 Jumping over Cross-Rails ...............................................134
13.10 Jumping over a Straight Fence .......................................135
14.1 Warming Up “Long and Low” .......................................137
15.1 The 25-Point Palpation Evaluation Program Outline ......143
15.2 Horse Relaxed (A)/Tense (B)..........................................146
15.3 The Palpation Evaluation Program, First Pass Outline .....149
16.1 Checking Incisor Teeth Alignment ..................................153
16.2 Checking Teeth, Opening Mouth....................................153
16.3 Checking Teeth, Holding Tongue ....................................154
16.4 Checking Premolars and Molars .....................................155
16.5 Checking Teeth with Free Hand .....................................155
16.6 Checking Teeth Externally ..............................................156
16.7 Checking the TMJ ..........................................................157
16.8 Rocking the Lower Mandible .........................................158
16.9 Checking the Opening of the Mouth, Left .....................158
16.10 Checking the Opening of the Mouth, Right .................159
16.11 Proper Positioning to Palpate C0-C1 ..............................160
16.12 Checking the Midneck Cervical Vertebrae ......................162
xii List of Figures
16.13 Checking the Lower Neck Cervical Vertebrae.................163
16.14 Checking SP1 .................................................................165
16.15 Checking SP2 .................................................................165
16.16 Checking SP3 .................................................................166
16.17 Checking SP4 .................................................................166
17.1 The Spinal Skeleton........................................................168
17.2 Anchoring Fingers onto the Withers ...............................169
17.3 Rocking the Withers.......................................................170
17.4 Checking the Withers from Above ..................................170
17.5 Palpating the Withers from Above ...................................171
17.6 Checking the Thoracic Spine, Standing at the Side
of the Horse ...................................................................173
17.7 Checking the Thoracic Spine, Standing on a Block .........173
17.8 Checking the Rib Cage, Standing at the Side
of the Horse ...................................................................174
17.9 Checking the Rib Cage, Standing on a Block .................175
17.10 Checking the Lumbar Spine, Standing at the Side
of the Horse ...................................................................176
17.11 Checking the Lumbar Spine, Standing on a Block ..........177
17.12 The Sacrum ....................................................................178
17.13 Checking the Sacrum, Standing at the Side
of the Horse ...................................................................179
17.14 Checking the Sacrum, Standing on a Block ....................180
17.15 Sacrum, with Hooves ......................................................180
17.16 Picking up the Tail .........................................................181
17.17 Tail Rotation ..................................................................182
17.18 Tail Stretch .....................................................................183
17.19 Tail Stretch with Squeezings ...........................................183
17.20 Lifting the Tail to See Median Line .................................185
17.21 Checking SP20 ...............................................................186
17.22 Checking SP21 ...............................................................187
17.23 Checking SP22 ...............................................................187
17.24 Checking SP23 ...............................................................188
17.25 Checking SP24 ...............................................................188
17.26 Checking SP25 ...............................................................189
17.27 Checking SP26 ...............................................................189
18.1 Front Leg Ideal Cranial Plumb Line................................192
18.2 Front Lateral Plumb Line ...............................................192
18.3 Standing by Horse,Warming Up the Shoulder Blade ......194
18.4 Standing by Horse, Checking the Trapezius and
Rhomboideus .................................................................195
18.5 Standing by Horse, Checking the Serratus Ventralis
Cervicis and Thoracis......................................................195
18.6 Stretching the Foreleg Laterally to Affect the
Subscapularis Muscle.......................................................195
List of Figures xiii
18.7 Double-Hand Friction over the Suprascapular Muscles ...196
18.8 Gentle Friction over the Biceps Brachii ..........................196
18.9 Gentle Palpation over the Point of Elbow .......................198
18.10 Gentle Palpation of the Upper Radius Bone ...................198
18.11 Gentle Palpation of the Lower Radius Bone ...................199
18.12 Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Knee .......................199
18.13 Gentle Friction of the Knee............................................200
18.14 Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Canon Bone............201
18.15 Knee Bent, Palpation of the Flexor Tendon
and Suspensory Ligament................................................202
18.16 Suspensory Ligament Stretch, Preparation .......................203
18.17 Suspensory Ligament Stretch, Development ....................204
18.18 Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Fetlock Joint............205
18.19 Checking the Sesamoid Bones .......................................206
18.20 Standing by Horse, Palpation of the Pastern Bones..........207
18.21 Checking the Pastern Bone (P1) Flexibility.....................208
18.22 Checking the Pastern Bone (P2) Flexibility.....................208
18.23 Flexing the Hoof ...........................................................209
18.24 Extending the Hoof .......................................................210
18.25 Checking Lateral Cartilages of the Hoof ........................210
18.26 Holding the Hoof in a Neutral Position .........................211
18.27 Rotating Hoof Laterally..................................................212
18.28 Rotating Hoof Medially .................................................212
18.29 Checking SP5 ................................................................213
18.30 Checking SP6, SP7, and SP8...........................................214
18.31 Checking SP9 ................................................................214
18.32 Checking SP10 ...............................................................215
18.33 Checking SP11 ..............................................................216
18.34 Checking SP12 ...............................................................216
18.35 Checking SP13 ..............................................................217
18.36 Checking SP14 ..............................................................217
18.37 Checking SP15 ..............................................................218
18.38 Checking SP16 ..............................................................219
18.39 Checking SP17 ...............................................................219
18.40 Checking SP18 ...............................................................220
18.41 Checking SP19 ...............................................................220
19.1 Hind Legs Ideal Caudal Plumb Line ...............................222
19.2 Hind Legs Ideal Lateral Plumb Line................................222
19.3 Palpation of the Greater Trochanter of the
Head of Femur ...............................................................223
19.4 Palpation of the Tertiary Trochanter of the
Head of Femur ...............................................................224
19.5 Palpation of the Hamstring Muscle Group ......................225
19.6 Palpation of the Quadriceps Muscle Group
of the Thigh....................................................................225
xiv List of Figures
19.7 Palpation of the Stifle Joint .............................................226
19.8 Palpation of the Gaskin ...................................................227
19.9 Palpation of the Hock Laterally.......................................228
19.10 Palpation of the Hock Medially ......................................229
19.11 Palpation of the Hock Posteriorally.................................230
19.12 Position to Evaluate the Lower Hind Leg
(Farrier Position).............................................................231
19.13 Farrier Position with Contracted Hind Leg.....................231
19.14 Farrier Position, Stroking the Flexor Tendon ...................232
19.15 Position to Evaluate the Tendon and Ligament
of Lower Hind Leg .........................................................232
19.16 Position to Evaluate the Collateral Ligament
of the Fetlock of Lower Hind Leg ..................................233
19.17 Position to Evaluate the Sesamoid Bones of Fetlock
of Lower Hind Leg .........................................................233
19.18 Position to Evaluate the Pastern and Hoof
of Lower Hind Leg .........................................................233
19.19 Position to Evaluate the Hoof Lateral Cartilages..............233
19.20 Flexion of Hoof..............................................................234
19.21 Extension of Hoof ..........................................................234
19.22 Holding the Hoof Neutral ..............................................234
19.23 Rotating the Hoof Laterally............................................234
19.24 Rotating the Hoof Medially ...........................................235
19.25 Checking SP27 ...............................................................236
19.26 Checking SP28 ...............................................................236
19.27 Checking SP29 ...............................................................237
19.28 Checking SP30 ...............................................................237
19.29 Checking SP31 ...............................................................238
19.30 Checking SP32 ...............................................................238
19.31 Checking SP33 ...............................................................239
19.32 Checking SP34 ...............................................................239
19.33 Checking SP35 ...............................................................240
19.34 Checking SP36 ...............................................................240
19.35 Checking SP37 ...............................................................240
19.36 Checking SP38 ...............................................................241
19.37 Checking SP39 ...............................................................241
19.38 Checking SP40 ...............................................................241
FOREWORD
H aving known and worked professionally with Jean-Pierre
Hourdebaigt for the last several years, I have enjoyed con-
tributing 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 educa-
tional and inspirational. Jean-Pierre’s definitions and explanations of the
horse’s movements and their relationship to the rider are useful for all lev-
els 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
xv
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
M y 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 inspira-
tion 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 contribut-
ing 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.
xvi
ANATOMICAL TERMS
T o better understand the information and instructions given in
this book, here is a list of anatomical terms and their respec-
tive 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 oppo-
site 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.
xvii
Cranial Caudal
xviii
Rostral
Dorsal
Proximal
Anatomical Terms
Ventral
Medial
Lateral
Dorsal
Palmar
Plantar
Distal
