Biomechanics, Mental Security and 10 Principles of Training

The horse’s legs work in diagonal pairs. The front legs often control the back legs - what the right front leg does applies to the left hind leg too. The two diagonal pairs are different, one pair accelerates more than the other. This is why the horse gets crooked. When we know this, we can train more accurately. 

Dr Andrew McLean also explains how we can give the horse the best life we can. We should meet the horse's basic needs to give him a life worth living. Not only will it make him happier, but also safer and more likely to succeed in training. 

We should make sure we care for him in the best way possible by keeping him in good physical shape, ensuring his environment is safe and that he is protected from extreme weather. 

But this is not enough. To ensure the horse's welfare needs, we should also make sure he has room to move and exercise, that he can eat for several hours every day, that he has company from other horses and that he is handled and trained in a way that makes his life predictable, consistent and free of stress. This is also a way to protect our sport by securing the social license to operate. 

Dr McLean also gives a brief overview of the 10 first principles of training within Equitation Science.