A Look At The Factors Affecting Horse Performance

By Lila Barry


Trainers know the importance of enhancing the performance of a horse. Some horses are handicapped while others are physically fit and ready for a certain type of job. While some have easy when it comes to train and ride, others prove to be difficult. Irrespective of the discipline, the best movement enables an animal to utilize its potential to the fullest. Bad movement under utilizes some muscles while overstretching others. The range and degree of movement that it has is determined largely by its conformation, in turn affecting performance. Here are some of the factors affecting horse performance.

Foot balance is one of the most significant factors. No matter how excellent the conformation of animal is, it will not be of any meaningful use if its foot is weak. To enable it do most of the activities required of it, having a proper foot formation is of essence. The feet must be aligned with the body perfectly and balance at the moment they leave the ground for the animal to have a normal gait.

Many problems related to foot balance are as a result of poor leg conformation. This leads to distortion of the hooves resulting from an uneven pressure loading. The design of the forelimb just like a pillar, for supporting most of the horses heaviness. The recommended forelimb conformation is such that a line can be drawn vertically in a way that it bisects the knee through the center.

Another factor that influences how a horse performs is the back structure. As the back is normally bowed slightly upwards, this upward curvature tends to increase when more weight is placed on the animal.

Any rider or trainer should bear in mind that when riding on the animal, stains and stresses in all types are set up. This is tantamount to distorting the horses back. Causing muscular spasms responsible for many problems experienced by both riders and the horses.

Injury and stress is another contributing factor. In the case of all breeds of animals, whether gymkhana ponies or prestigious racehorses, the stamina needed to attain peak competition potential without risking injury is supreme. Conditions that prevent racehorses from achieving performance at their peak can in most cases only be figured out if the horses are stretched to it athletic limits.

For instance, horseracing is capable of piling up significant stresses on the animals system. The stress and rigors associated with training for competitions and the actual races can cause muscle spasms, strains and misalignment. Although these symptoms are not a major cause of worry, they can influence the performance of an animal, in some instances quite dramatically. Other types of competition such as show jumping place the same stresses on the horses system, which can result in long term injuries if not treated early enough.

The last factor is a tack whose fitting has not been done correctly, resulting to a wide variety of problems. For instance, a badly fitted saddle can lead to hollowing and resisting, shortening of slides and stiffness. Basically, a saddle that is poorly fitted disrupts horse performance, causing it not to achieve its full potential.




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