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Conformation is of the utmost importance
at all levels of showing, from children's
lead
rein ponies
to show
hunters and hacks,
which may also be ridden side-saddle.
If the pony or horse is put together
correctly he will be more efficient
in the way he goes, and so put less
stress
and
strain on
his joints.
Showing
is one
of the
disciplines
where knocks and blemishes are important
in the overall placing of the horse
in the show
ring.
The feeding of a show horse
or pony is also an important aspect, to create
a
balance
between 'presence' and
alertness in the
show ring
and not being overheated, particularly
with children's
ponies. These smaller ponies will
also tend to be overworked on
the lunge, particularly
when her young riders are at school.
However, too much work on circles
is not good from
a chiropractic point
of view,
and it
is essential
that both reins are worked equally
to ensure balanced muscle development
along
the back
and to prevent
the pony becoming
one-sided.
In addition, there are
many "gadgets" used to bring the
head of the show pony/show hack
into the correct position - such things as draw reins, side reins,
chambons and double bridles, all of which
have their uses, but can create
more problems in wrong or inexperienced hands. Tension can be set
up in the poll and upper neck muscles, which
will lead to stiffness at the
withers and shoulders, preventing the forelimbs from extending properly
and
affecting the overall performance
of the horse. Such cases would
benefit from chiropractic treatment to release the tension which
has developed
and then, similar to dressage
horses, it is important to allow
these horses to stretch through the topline muscles, by performing
more work in extension, before bringing
them into their collected outline.
Show ponies generally tend to be very sensitive
due to their breeding
and
temperament as
much as with
all the
bathing
and grooming the
discipline entails and, they may
show a tendency to sensitivity
along their
back
compared with other breeds. For
this reason is extremely important
that
the tack is
fitted
correctly,
as
a tight browband or
a saddle pinching behind the withers,
will cause the pony to move
incorrectly
to compensate for the discomfort.
The showhack when ridden side-saddle,
will present a different set of
problems to saddle
fitting
as side-saddles are
often bought second-hand
and restuffed to suit a particular
horse. These older style saddles
often have
a wooden tree
reinforced with
metal,
which makes them
very heavy (22 - 26 lbs) compared
with modern side-saddles or showing
saddles
(12 - 16 lbs).
Due to their shape
and structure they will have a direct effect
on the spine
of the
horse if
not fitted
correctly,
which is
also accentuated
by the additional weight of the
rider. They are made with a wide
gullet to
fit absolutely
level
from front
to back
and side
to
side. It must
be stuffed by the saddler slightly
in excess in the front of the
offside panel
and, in
the back
of the
nearside panel, to
prevent
it moving
over the nearside when being ridden.
The rear stuffing is far thicker
than in a
showing saddle when viewed
from behind,
otherwise
it will
not be level when on the horse's
back. The underside is lined with
linen
rather than
leather to allow
for the
need to constantly
alter
the stuffing, and leather would
also make the saddle slide more
easily
to the nearside,
which
will alter
he weight
distribution over the
horse's back. An experienced saddler
is essential
to undertake these regular assessments
and changes to the
saddle to
allow the horse
to move comfortably.
The rider
is, in addition to an unlevel
saddle, the main factor
that causes
unequal weight
distribution on the
horse's back
and a reason
for musculo-skeletal problems
to begin to develop. The riding
position
adopted
should
be to sit
straight with
the right
shoulder slightly
back and when viewed from behind,
the riders spine must form a vertical
line
that goes
straight through
the
horse's spine.
If
the rider
leans to either side it will make
the horse go crooked, as well
as running the risk of bringing
him
down at faster
paces. It is common for the rider
to
lean to the
right to
compensate
for the
lack of leg
support,
or for the left leg to come back
which will tip the rider forwards
making
them lose
their grip
and position
in the
side-saddle.
A tense, insecure
rider with rounded shoulders
not only looks
unsightly,
but their bouncing action will
inevitably give the horse a sore
back.
Consequently, the ability and
technique
of the rider will undoubtedly
contribute to back
problems
in
the horse,
and possibly create
back
problem for themselves.
Chiropractic treatment would be
recommended at the beginning
and
end of
the showing season,
and following any
traumas in between,
to keep these horses working to
their peak performance throughout
the season. Treatment for the
rider is also recommended, particularly
if they
also suffer
from back pain,
to prevent their problems
affecting the performance of the
horse.
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