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D R E S S AG E
AUTUMN 2013 ISSUE
Top tips for feeding
for dressage peak
performance
How do training and talent influence
dressage peak performance?
Jennie Loriston-Clarke MBE FBHS NPSD,
Catherston Stud and Training
Centre, Hampshire.
www.catherstonstud.com
A potential dressage horse should have
good natural paces, straight limbs and
light-footed movement. The frame should
light to reduce the weight on the forehand.
I also look for a positive mental attitude
and willingness to work; which makes them
easier to train and perform better under
stressful conditions at a competition.
With most young horses we begin training
at three years of age but some individuals
in particular entires are started as two year
olds when they are likely to be more
submissive. After backing they are turned
away to mature. I consider rest periods
to be an extremely important part of the
training program especially in young horses.
Rest allows healing time for minor injuries
and strains that may not yet be apparent
and helps with their mental attitude to work.
A normal training week would involve four
days schooling, two days of straight work
hacking or cantering and Sunday is usually
a rest day in our yard (unless the horse is
competing). We believe that working on a
variety of surfaces (in particular straight work
on roads) is important in the conditioning of
ligaments, tendons and bone to assist with
injury prevention.
Injuries and lameness in dressage horses
are all too common; it is important to be
very aware of subtle changes in the horse’s
movement and to give them a rest period
if this occurs. I also think many riders make
the mistake of repeating a difficult movement
over and over which undoubtedly puts
repetitive strain on the joints and ligaments.
I recommend a period of walk and thought
about the movement before trying again.
I am a strong believer in rider
physiotherapy and exercise to improve
flexibility and core strength. My top tip for
success is to spend some quiet mental
preparation time before a competition;
I found plaiting and preparing my horse
an ideal time for this.
What role does physiotherapy play in
achieving dressage peak performance?
Tamsyn Lafferty BSc MSc MCSP HCPC ACPAT (cat A),
Priestwood
Physiotherapy, Derby
My role as a chartered veterinary
physiotherapist is two-fold. On a referral
basis from the horse’s vet I assist with the
rehabilitation from lameness e.g. high
suspensory injuries and back conditions
e.g. kissing spines. At the owner’s request
I also provide therapy for the routine
maintenance of competition horses;
primarily treating muscle soreness and
tightness in the neck and back to keep
them performing at their best. Some horses
require very little maintenance while others
will require monthly treatment. For the
high level horses I will see them between
every competition.
There are several things that riders can do
themselves at home in between treatments
to help keep their horses performing well.
In hand stretches assist with maintaining
freedom of movement and pole work
exercises are very useful to teach the horse
to carry himself and not rely on the rider.
Horse owners can help prevent muscular
soreness in their horses by ensuring they
schedule in a long period of warm up
before exercise and a good cool down
period too. Many riders with their busy
lives take short cuts with this but I believe
it is essential for optimum muscle function
and to prevent muscular injury. In the winter
warm packs on the back prior to exercise
can also help with the warm up process.
I always recommend riders pay particular
attention to any problem joints on the horse
and take time to cold pack them following
exercise to reduce inflammation.
Riders must not forget that physiotherapy
and exercises are equally important for
them. The rider plays a key role in
dressage peak performance; rider stiffness
or weakness can both compromise
performance and lead to muscular pain
in the horse.
EQUINE MATTERS
18
Dr Teresa Hollands BSc (Hons)
MSc (Nutrition) PhD, R.Nutr
Senior Nutritionist, Dodson & Horrell
Ltd., Specialist Lecturer, University of
Nottingham School of Veterinary
Medicine and Science
l
Research shows that carbohydrates
and protein fed within one hour of
exercise increases muscle recovery
after hard exercise.
l
Calories or mega joules of digestible
energy (MJ/DE) is a quantifiable
measure of the amount of biochemical
energy that is available from the food
for our horse’s cells. If we provide
calories which are excess to
requirements then our horses simply
store the extra in their cells as fat.
l
We can manipulate how quickly the
calories reach your horse’s bloodstream
in relation to when he is working.
However, we would not recommend
additional calories for a horse that is
carrying extra on his topline and his
bottom. We would check that he is
getting enough vitamins and minerals for
his workload, reduce his calories, which
reduces his work effort as he will be
lighter, then adjust protein to ensure
muscle development.
A good dressage horse is
elegant, athletic, obedient
and powerful.
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