“Everything is possible with a soft, balanced seat.” Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, head veterinarian of the German National Riding School, reiterated this mantra many times during the annual “Balance in Motion” Equine Symposium held at the University of Guelph Kemptville Campus on October 22-24, 2010. This symposium was hosted by the students in the first year of the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management degree program in Equine Management as part of their event management course. The weekend would not have been possible without sponsors Purina, Schleese Saddlery, Upper Canada Village, Countryman Winery, Chateau des Charmes, Sandbanks Estates Winery, B&H Foodliner, Foodbasics and Kemptville Campus.
Dr. Heuschmann has spent over 20 years examining the effects of different training methodologies on the health and welfare of horses. As a veterinarian being presented with numerous lameness cases, he concluded that many of the lameness problems prevalent in sport horses today are due to poor training techniques. He actively speaks out against the use of aggressive techniques such as hyperflexion in the training of horses, and berates international judges for rewarding performances that demonstrate flashy movement over correct classical training.
Attendees of the symposium were treated to riveting talks given by Dr. Heuschmann delving into how the biomechanics of the horse dictate how that horse is able to move in a manner consistent with its conformation. His new 3-D animation based on research showed how the muscles in the neck, back and hindquarters move in relation to head and neck position. It became obvious that hyperflexion of the neck causes raising of the back in such a way as to disengage the hindquarters, thus preventing the horse from being able to use its hind end for the collected and extended movements called for in high-level equestrian competition. Each afternoon, Dr. Heuschmann demonstrated his training techniques with horses and riders at varying levels of training in dressage and eventing.
Complementing Dr. Heuschmann’s message, other speakers contributed to the importance of balance in working with horses. Denise Lenz from Schleese Saddlery demonstrated how the differences between male and female riders dictate how to correctly fit a saddle. Dr. Derek Haley and Dr. Peter Physick-Sheard from the University of Guelph discussed equine behaviour and equine heart health in relation to different disciplines. As an introduction to the new Leadership through the Equine-Assisted Discovery (LEAD) program being offered by Kemptville Campus, Ruth Heney demonstrated how to properly handle a horse on the ground through understanding body language rather than dominating the animal.
The weekend wrapped up with an interactive discussion on the effects of hyperflexion and aggressive training on the equine industry as a whole. Active animal welfare was the keyword of the day. As horse owners, trainers and enthusiasts, it is our responsibility to ensure the best welfare for the horses we revere.
Other equine events being held at Kemptville Campus are: the College Royal Horse Show on March 10-12; Equine Career Night on March 24; and the annual Kemptvillian Medieval Festival, this year featuring the Knights of Valour jousting team on April 2. See http://www.kemptvillec.uoguelph.ca/ for more information.
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