EQUINE PILATESEQUINE PILATES

By Etti CookBy Etti CookAll these slides are copyright of Elite PhysiotherapyAll these slides are copyright of Elite Physiotherapy

IntroductionIntroduction

About meAbout me

Why am I holding these courses?Why am I holding these courses?

Where have these exercises come from?Where have these exercises come from?

Anatomy Anatomy – HumanHuman– HorseHorse

Structure, function and rehabilitationStructure, function and rehabilitation

This presentation and a clear routine of This presentation and a clear routine of pictures of the exercises for you to follow pictures of the exercises for you to follow will go up on my websitewill go up on my website

www.elitephysiotherapy.co.ukwww.elitephysiotherapy.co.uk

About meAbout me

Human PhysioHuman Physio– Rehab, prevention, management of injuries.Rehab, prevention, management of injuries.

““Equine Physio” / ACPAT physioEquine Physio” / ACPAT physioWhat is an ACPAT physioWhat is an ACPAT physio– Chartered (Human 1Chartered (Human 1stst))– CPDCPD

Research and development – e.g. these exercisesResearch and development – e.g. these exercises

Event riderEvent rider

Why am I holding these courses?Why am I holding these courses?

I want you to be able to help your own horsesI want you to be able to help your own horses

Use techniques learnt in the human world and Use techniques learnt in the human world and learn how we can apply them to horseslearn how we can apply them to horses

I want to help horsesI want to help horses– Reduce injuriesReduce injuries– Reduce surgeryReduce surgery– Speed recovery from injurySpeed recovery from injury– Research new techniquesResearch new techniques

Development of these exercisesDevelopment of these exercises

Hilary Clayton and Narelle Stubbs in Hilary Clayton and Narelle Stubbs in AmericaAmerica– Anecdotal evidenceAnecdotal evidence– Research/proofResearch/proof

The Human SpineThe Human Spine

VertebraeVertebrae

DiscsDiscs

NervesNerves

Soft tissuesSoft tissues

FunctionFunction– Movement vs StabilityMovement vs Stability

MovementMovement

Flexion, extension, side bending and Flexion, extension, side bending and rotationrotation– Limited by articular surfaces and soft tissuesLimited by articular surfaces and soft tissues

Joints need movement – healthJoints need movement – health

Stiff joint = painStiff joint = pain

Mid range no stress on other structuresMid range no stress on other structures

StabilityStability

Soft TissuesSoft TissuesLigaments, Tendons and Ligaments, Tendons and MusclesMuscles

Muscle functionMuscle function

Generally:Generally:– Long muscles to produce movements, Long muscles to produce movements, – Shorter muscles, close to joint lines to control Shorter muscles, close to joint lines to control

movementmovement

Design/ muscle architecture is differentDesign/ muscle architecture is different

Maintain control of movementsMaintain control of movements– Reduce stress on other structures Reduce stress on other structures

Lax joint = painLax joint = pain

SummarySummary

Stiff joint = painStiff joint = pain

Lax joint = painLax joint = pain

Full range Full range

Control of movementsControl of movements

PILATES!!PILATES!!

PILATESPILATES

It was created in the 1920s by the physical It was created in the 1920s by the physical trainer Joseph Pilates for the purpose of trainer Joseph Pilates for the purpose of rehabilitation. rehabilitation. First used on soldiers returning from war First used on soldiers returning from war and dancers -to strengthen their bodies and dancers -to strengthen their bodies and heal their aches and pains and heal their aches and pains Now it is used as exercise programme by Now it is used as exercise programme by many, from rehabilitation patients to elite many, from rehabilitation patients to elite athletesathletes

PilatesPilates

An exercise system focused on improving An exercise system focused on improving

FlexibilityFlexibility,,

StrengthStrength, ,

Body awarenessBody awareness, , – without necessarily building bulk. without necessarily building bulk.

The Horses SpineThe Horses Spine

MobilityMobility

As an athlete the horse needs to learn to As an athlete the horse needs to learn to use his muscles to give mobility but also use his muscles to give mobility but also stabilitystability

Requirement of different disciplinesRequirement of different disciplines

How does the equine back How does the equine back function?function?

Bow and String theoryBow and String theory

Abdominal musclesAbdominal muscles

Spinal stabilisersSpinal stabilisers

The complicated stuff!The complicated stuff!

MusclesMuscles– Neck muscles Neck muscles – Forelimb sling muscles Forelimb sling muscles – AbdominalsAbdominals– Above the spineAbove the spine– Below the spineBelow the spine– Pelvic stabilisersPelvic stabilisers

Breathe!!Breathe!!

That’s the dry stuff done with, now for That’s the dry stuff done with, now for some fun!some fun!

Any questions on the anatomy, and Any questions on the anatomy, and rationale for exercises, etc?............rationale for exercises, etc?............

THE EXERCISESTHE EXERCISES

1.1. Mobility exercisesMobility exercises

2.2. Stability exercisesStability exercises

3.3. Balance/body awareness exercisesBalance/body awareness exercises

4.4. OthersOthers

FrequencyFrequency

The evidence suggests:The evidence suggests:

Hold each for 5 secs if possibleHold each for 5 secs if possible

5 reps of each5 reps of each

5 times a week5 times a week

1) Mobility Exercises1) Mobility Exercises

a)a) Rounding Exercises Rounding Exercises (EOR 3-5 reps)(EOR 3-5 reps)

Chin to chest (keep head straight)Chin to chest (keep head straight)

Chin to knees (if horse moves backwards Chin to knees (if horse moves backwards move it into a corner)move it into a corner)

Chin to fetlocks (abdo’s)Chin to fetlocks (abdo’s)

b) Lateral Bending Exercisesb) Lateral Bending Exercises

Chin to girth (standing next to horse’s sh)Chin to girth (standing next to horse’s sh)

Chin to flank (stand behind sh, long and Chin to flank (stand behind sh, long and low)low)

Chin to hockChin to hock

c) Neck Extension (after all other c) Neck Extension (after all other mobilisations or collecting work)mobilisations or collecting work)

2) Stability Exercises2) Stability Exercises

Lifting/roundingLifting/rounding

Wither liftWither lift

Lumbar liftLumbar lift

Lumbar lift with lateral bendLumbar lift with lateral bend

3) Balance exercises3) Balance exercises 5 secs, 3-5 reps5 secs, 3-5 reps

Tail pull to sideTail pull to side

Weight transferenceWeight transference

Wt T/F with FL liftWt T/F with FL lift

HL liftHL lift

N.B.N.B.

SAFETY (hat, gloves, guard for fingers!)SAFETY (hat, gloves, guard for fingers!)

Every horse is different – like peopleEvery horse is different – like people

Take account of your horsesTake account of your horses– Shape/conformation/breedShape/conformation/breed– AgeAge– Use and fitnessUse and fitness

Conformational differences!!!Conformational differences!!!

If in doubt ask!If in doubt ask!

Don’t stress your horse out if he is not Don’t stress your horse out if he is not happy with any of the exercises (especially happy with any of the exercises (especially reflex exercises)reflex exercises)

Measuring your horses progressMeasuring your horses progress

Quality of movementQuality of movement

Ease of movement Ease of movement

BehaviourBehaviour

Palpation Palpation

CurvesCurves

Further exercisesFurther exercises

Groundwork Groundwork – Polework Polework

– Over, round, between, in hand, lungeOver, round, between, in hand, lunge

– (anywhere will do!!)(anywhere will do!!)

– Long reiningLong reining

RiddenRidden– PoleworkPolework– Hill workHill work– Jumping exercisesJumping exercises

Further evening clinicFurther evening clinic

In 6-8 weeks, returnIn 6-8 weeks, return– Problem solvingProblem solving– Measurements/evidenceMeasurements/evidence– Further advanced exercisesFurther advanced exercises

Especially concentrate on pole work, mounted and Especially concentrate on pole work, mounted and unmountedunmounted

– General AdviceGeneral Advice