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HORSE HEALTH: STRENGTH TRAINING CAN REDUCE INJURIES
STRENGTH TRAINING
CAN REDUCE INJURIES
A recent study by veterinarians in Australia working at the Tamworth Equine Veterinary Centre in Tamworth and the School of Veterinary Science in Wagga Wagga has been published in the Equine Veterinary Journal. Peer-reviewed by international researchers and produced by the British Equine Veterinary Association, this journal is one of the most respected and important publications for equine veterinarians.
© ARTICLE BY: DR JENNIFER STEWART BVSC BSC PHD EQUINE VETERINARIAN, CEO JENQUINE AND CONSULTANT NUTRITIONIST EQUINE CLINICAL NUTRITION
The study examined the causes of lameness in Australian campdraft horses. The records of over 6300 horses were examined. From these, 260 campdrafters( 116 Australian Stockhorses and 109 Quarterhorses) that presented for a lameness assessment between 2017 and 2024 were reviewed.
pain is present in at least 35 % of ridden horses and is a common cause of poor performance. Reasons may include primary thoracolumbar spine problems, back muscle soreness secondarily to lameness, incorrect training, a poorly skilled rider, a saddle not fitting the horse and / or a saddle not fitting the rider, biomechanical compensations for limb lameness and overuse injuries.
Similar to the incidence in western performance horses, lameness was most common in the foreleg( 54 %) compared to the hindleg( 45 %). In cutting horses 63 % of lameness occur in the hindleg, but in all disciplines, most injuries occurred below the knee and hock.
There is a strong association between lameness and back problems with lameness a common finding in horses with back problems. Studies suggest that back www. jenquine. com
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION- www. aqha. com. au
Core strength training is often under-utilised, but should be performed throughout a horse ' s career to maintain a healthy back and when back pain is identified.
Although horses cannot be trained to lift weights or to work resistance machines, some excellent recent studies have deepened our understanding of the means and methods that can be easily incorporated and done at home to strengthen the horse’ s core muscles.