How can dressage training help your racehorse??

Dressage is a French term meaning “training” and is described by the international governing body of equestrian sports (FEI), as “the highest expression of horse training.” The most fundamental basis of dressage is to develop a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to perform.

The benefits that can come from dressage training are, better balance and strength, muscle conditioning, improved soundness, flexibility, improved ride-ability and improved behaviour. These benefits can not only make the horse more athletic, but can also help to prevent injuries and improve overall health.

When considering dressage training for your horses during their pre-training, understanding how building strength through your horses back muscles may help you to understand some of the positives. Many people focus on the horses head carriage, and think thats all there is to it, however the location for the horses head is irrelevant if the abdominal muscles are not engaged and the spine is not lifted, strengthening the back muscles.

Think about the anatomy and biomechanics of the horse’s back as a bridge between the hindquarters and the forequarters that generates power and allows horses to gallop at high speed. Because the horse’s skeleton is limited by the way its put together, the movements of its neck and back are location-dependent. The skin, muscles, and ligaments all have an impact on back movement. However, positioned deeper than the superficial muscles, are the two largest muscle chains that support the spine. Thes are located on either side of the backbone (shown in red in figure below), and compose the main part of the back musculature.

It is interesting to note that these muscles join the lower cervical muscles at the front end, and the pelvic muscles at the rear, allowing the transmission of forces from the hindquarters to the forehand.

A horse that works with its head low and streched, engages its core, raises its back and begins to build strength and power through these muscles. Note the "bridge" between the hindquarter and the wither looks strong and muscles are well developed in the image below.

The anatomy and biomechanics of the horse’s back are very interesting subjects and a horse’s physical condition and ability to perform depends on its back muscles. Dressage exercises allow for strengthening and softening the back muscles that build up muscle strength, so as to promote correct functioning of the back, and allow the horse to move freely while creating a larger more powerful stride while carrying the weight of a jockey on its back.