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D R I V I NG
Driving - how does training and talent influence
‘peak performance’?
Maxine Ingham,
International Competitor
Steve Craddock DipWCF
Performance carriage driving, and in
particular, horse driving trials are no different
to any of the other competitive equestrian
disciplines. In order to be able to compete
successfully at the top level, nationally or
internationally you will need a level of talent
from the whip (driver) which will then enable
you to learn and train your horse to optimise
peak performance.
The horse will also need to be talented,
i.e. trainable and athletic. Often, having
a driving horse with the right attitude and
one that is trainable can make for a
more successful partnership, than one
that is hugely talented but without the
trainability.
In summary, the whip does require a
degree of talent to be able to train and
compete at a high level but with the right
attitude (and therefore training) the
average horse can often go far.
Physiotherapy and driving
Amy Cox MSc(Vet Phys) BSc(Hons) MCSP HPC Reg ACPAT
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy has an important role in
maintaining peak performance. This is
mainly through injury prevention and
management. Physiotherapy treats a
number of primary and secondary
problems using combinations of manual
therapy, electrotherapy and exercise.
Individual treatment plans are formulated
that are discipline specific to optimise
performance. For example, a horse that
has muscle spasm and tightness in the
back might take a shorter stride length,
over the course of an event this can slowly
add up and could be the difference
between winning and second place!
It is important to have a multidisciplinary
approach in order for the horse to perform
at the best of its ability. Monitoring of
the horse throughout the fittening process
is important so any weaknesses can
be addressed before they become a
larger problem.
What role does farriery play in achieving driving
'peak performance'?
Driving covers a number of different
disciplines and the demands placed on
the horse depend on the work performed.
Despite this variation in work, basic
principles must always be followed. These
include an appreciation of underlying
conformation issues (not only foot
conformation but limb conformation),
balance of the feet and break-over.
Put simply, the most important aspect is to
correctly balance the foot. To achieve this
we must have an understanding of what
balance is. Balance is the state whereby
the hoof wall, sole, frog and bars are
prepared so that an equilibrium exists
around the DIP joint (coffin joint), with
a shoe placed on the foot, providing
maximum base of support while still
minimising stresses and leverages to the
lower limb, both statically and dynamically.
If the feet are well balanced and equal
weight distribution across the foot is
achieved, this reduces stress on the limb;
as a result this should give the horse more
stability and so confidence producing a
better performance.
WINTER 2014 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
16