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S HOW - J UM P I NG
Peak performance:
Show-jumping
Anna Jesse MA VetMB MRCVS,
St Boniface Veterinary Clinic
We asked the experts for tips on achieving
peak performance in show-jumping
How do veterinary problems
impact on show-jumping
peak performance and how
can they be prevented?
The athletic demands placed on the elite
show-jumper are huge. A successful
show-jumper must be able to jump large
fences with precision and care, often at
speed. The horse must be supple and able
to make sharp turns, jump from a virtual
standstill whilst also being able to jump at
gallop. It must have tremendous strength in
the back and hind-limbs to be able to adjust
stride length and jump from 'deep' and still
create a natural arc as it jumps.
The majority of modern, successful
show-jumpers are naturally well balanced,
loose-moving athletes. As any top
show-jumper/trainer will tell you there is no
single conformation type that makes a good
show-jumper. The hind-quarters are critical to
creating an upward trajectory - people tend to
look for horses with a 'strong' back (usually
not too long in the back), a low stifle (able
to create greater scope) and hocks that are
not too upright. The front of a successful
show-jumper must be able to lift the knees high
and out of the way, with a high neck and
head to allow excellent balance and vision.
The stresses placed on the hind-limbs at take off
and the fore-limbs on landing are enormous and
there is immense tension placed through the
joints when making quick turns. The common
areas causing lameness in show-jumpers are
those under significant stresses and strains.
These include the fetlock in the fore-limb and
the hock in the hind-limb; the sacroiliac joint
(Figure 1) of the back; the tendons/ligaments
that comprise the 'stay' apparatus of both hind
and fore-limbs; and foot pain.
Veterinary surgeon
Anna Jesse
XLVets Equine practice
St Boniface
Veterinary Clinic
l
Foot pain,
often resulting from damage
to the bony, ligament or tendon tissues
of the foot.
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Inflammation and arthritis of the
pastern, fetlock and hock.
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Inflammation of the suspensory ligament
(suspensory desmitis), particularly in
the hind-limbs.
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Back and neck pain,
Most commonly
of the sacroiliac joint (the connection
between the vertebral column and
the pelvis).
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Injury to the Superficial Digital Flexor
Tendon (SDFT) and DDFT.
Common lameness conditions seen
in the show-jumper
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EQUINE MATTERS
When discussing peak performance
and specifically preventing injuries, one
of the most important roles in running a
competition yard is to build an effective
team. This revolves around the rider
and their horses but also involves
trainers, veterinary surgeons, farriers,
physiotherapists and nutritionists.
There are a number of methods employed
to prevent lameness; poor foot balance is
a huge contributor to poor performance
and lameness so regular shoeing is a
must. Following a fitness plan is essential,
too many horses are pushed too quickly,
breakdowns occur and they are often
left suffering from long-term unsoundness.
Choosing appropriate surfaces to
exercise on is important in protecting their
legs; protecting a horse's legs from shock
and impact will help keep them sound
and there are a huge variety of products
on the market to help.
Prevention of lameness
Figure 1: Sacroiliac joint medication
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Foot pain in the front feet is often related
to navicular bone damage or a
combination including injury to the Deep
Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT), navicular
bursa and navicular support ligaments.