Science Of Motion Equine Podcast

Chazot is gaining confidence in his ability to deal wit the rider’s movements. He is exploring forward motion. In some instances he is going fast, at other moments he is going forward. When Chazot is exploring forward movement, the forelegs are showing greater suspension as well as more fluidity. In forward motion, and at the contrary of conventional beliefs, it is not the hind legs which are creating the greater percentage of upward vertical force but rather, the forelegs are producing the greatest amount of vertical impulse. "In horses, and most other mammalian quadrupeds, 57% of the vertical impulse is applied through the thoracic limbs, and only 43% through the hind limbs.â€�  (H. W. Merkens, H. C. Schamhardt,G. J. van Osch, A. J. van den Bogert, 1993).

When Chazot is going fast instead of forward, the movement of the forelegs is more flat, mechanic and rapid. In terms of limbs kinematics, the difference between the two forelegs movements can be explained through the braking phase and the pushing phase. A fast horse is controlling balance through greater braking activity of the forelegs. By contrast, a truly forward horse is controlling balance through better use of the forelegs’ propulsive activities.  We will further these differences in later publications.

During the sequence in slow motion, the increase in the forelegs’ suspension can be seen during the fly period. As the horse is airborne between the push off of one diagonal and the landing of the other diagonal, the horse gives the impression of prolonging the flight period reaching further forward with the forelegs.

The horse is voluntarily ridden with very loosed reins. He will learn basic forward movement and balance control without any support of the rider’s hands. Turns are asked for by the rotation of the rider’s pelvis and down transitions to the walk are asked for by straightening the rider’s vertebral column. Jean Luc Cornille

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