Equine Biomechanics for Riders: The Key to Balanced Riding

Knowledge of equine biomechanics turns horse training and riding into a completely logical process. Through an understanding of this natural science, together with literature left to us by the Classical masters, training horses correctly, without dependence on gadgets, becomes surprisingly straightforward. In fact, by understanding how the horse’s biomechanics work and how to influence this, most of the misunderstanding between horse and rider is avoidable, and the vast majority of schooling problems easily solvable.

With the aid of numerous illustrations and photos, Karin Blignault investigates the horse’s natural methods of performing movements and compares this with the movements he performs in dressage and jumping. Examining each individual gait and movement – including lateral work, piaffe, passage, flying changes – the author highlights the biomechanical difficulties the horse encounters in his effort to please the rider, gives suggestions to riders and trainers on how to overcome these difficulties, and further gives judges pointers on how to recognise these problems.

Karin Blignault competes in high-level dressage, teaches riding and participates in equestrian seminars. Having studied occupational therapy, Karin took a diploma in the education of children with learning difficulties and then studied neuro-developmental therapy. Following this she went on to lecture on the development of visual perception and learning theory. Karin became increasingly aware of the parallels between communication techniques and the facilitation of movement in disabled children, and the key concepts of classical equitation. Further exploration of these parallels, in which she combined her knowledge of anatomy and neurology with her equestrian expertise, led to her writing the highly acclaimed Successful Schooling: Train Your Horse with Empathy, after which she produced Stretch Exercises for Your Horse.