Immersion 4 Flyer
Science Of Motion
Jean Luc Cornille
Immersion 4
November 18, 19th and 20th
Every horse moves differently and since none move perfectly, especially with a rider on their back, even minor defects in gait can eventually result in lameness. As with human athletes, careful analysis of how a horse moves and the use of an individualized training program can both enhance performance and rehabilitate injuries, including those resulting in chronic lamenesses. The Science of Motion is a new approach to training and therapy, which is based upon identifying and correcting the specific gait abnormalities inherent in each horse. This approach was developed by Jean Luc Cornille, an international level Three-Day Event rider and trainer, who has extensively studied equine movement. His skill, experience and research has allowed him to perfect methods that can be used to correct the imperfections of gait that inhibit a horse from reaching its full athletic potential and often lead to lameness. The approach developed as the Science of Motion has been successfully utilized to rehabilitate many different chronic disabilities including severe cases of navicular disease and kissing spine.
“A major cause of lameness is lameness” (James R. Rooney)
The concept that the horse's gait can actually be changed to rehab or prevent injury is almost completely foreign to veterinarian and most trainers. It turns out that the ability to correct kinematics abnormalities inducing lameness is one of the most efficient modern therapies.
It all started in the late seventies when James Rooney investigated the kinematics abnormalities leading to injuries. The pathologist found out that if not corrected, a mild kinematics abnormality is likely, over a period of time, to create lesion. “The gait abnormality created by a specific lesion is the gait abnormality that causes the lesion.” Rooney identified the kinematics abnormalities leading to lameness but no one followed up on the next step, which is correcting the gait abnormalities.
At first, the thought that instead of being the main cause of lameness, the rider’s equitation could address and correct the kinematics abnormalities inducing injuries was pertinent. The pertinence turned into revolution when, applying modern science for a better equitation, the science of motion uncovered the capacity to correct limbs kinematics abnormalities through specific coordination of the horse’s vertebral column mechanism.
In humans, back problems are the leading cause of disability. As well, in equine, back muscles’ imbalance and other dysfunctions are the leading cause of limbs kinematics abnormalities and consequent injuries. We reeducate multiple cases of navicular syndrome correcting the vertebral column mechanism inducing the limbs kinematics abnormalities causing excessive pressure between the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone and the deep digital flexor tendon. The remodeling process was then able to partially or fully restore soundness. Likewise, the last four cases of kissing spine have been resolved identifying the vertebral column imbalance causing impingement of the dorsal spines. Beside invasive surgery, nothing can be done about the fact that the dorsal spines are inherently too close. What can be done is teaching to the horse a vertebral column coordination avoiding contact of the dorsal spines.
“There has always been a disconnection between what top horsemen know and what vets work with, their knowledge base is structural and physiological, and drugs, and surgery and healing, but not movement oriented. The art of rehabilitation after injury is just becoming a serious field of study.... great horsemen have always done it well, but they have not been asked to speak at the vet schools!” (Kristine Matlack DVM) They have not been asked to speak at equestrian conventions either. The art of rehabilitation after injuries as well as the art of preventing injuries, demands equitation based on actual knowledge of the equine physiology. Great horsemen prepare efficiently the horse’s physique for the performance. This of course markedly reduces the rate of injuries. However, competitions are demanding and when injury occurs, great horsemen use the same sophisticated equitation to correct the vertebral column dysfunction inducing the limbs kinematics abnormalities causing injuries.
Rehabilitation through motion is rapidly gaining momentum. We have created a comprehensive program of education. The program is named Immersion because it is created to fully immerse one into advanced knowledge of the equine physiology and the practical application of knew knowledge.
The last installment, Immersion One to One, is the ultimate learning tool.
The day commences with a conversation in the barn while tacking up the horse. The discussion is about the horse’s history. Jean Luc is asking questions about the progression of discomfort or lameness, the therapies applied, etc.
The first riding or in hand session focus on identifying the root cause of the horse’s problem and teaching to the rider how to address the horse’s issue.
As the horse rest after his work, the rider and Jean Luc are discussing in the class room, the physiology behind the horse’s problem. The conversation is casual but eminently informative. Horses’ skeletons as well as computer animations are used to provide a sound picture of the horse’s problem and the body coordination likely to restore soundness.
Jean Luc often uses Vincent van Gogh’s reflection, “I dream my painting and then I paint my dream.” After a visual and intelligent understanding of the horse’s problem, (I dream my painting), the rider paints his dream practicing with greater accuracy riding techniques and exercises applied during the first riding session.
In the light of our first One to One Immersion, we feel that the half day option is the most efficient. Several variables are possible.
One rider and one horse. Half day, arriving the day before and leaving the afternoon or the next day.
One rider and two horses. One horse the morning and one horse the afternoon.
Two riders and two horses. The riding sessions remain private, one rider the morning and one rider the afternoon, but the discussions referring to each horse’s issue can be shared by both riders.
Not surprisingly, the same approach is used for performance, (see the first One to One Immersion report). The first case of navicular syndrome that we have rehabilitated was initially unable to perform the series of tempi-changes. The back muscle imbalance which created the limb kinematic abnormality causing the injury was primarily hampering the horse’s ability to perform. If, instead of being interpreted as behavior, the horse’s difficulties had been scientifically analyzed, the development of navicular syndrome would likely have been prevented.
The week ends of intense learning continue. Immersion IV is scheduled for November 18, 19 & 20.
One day will be how to use the Science of Motion’s Work in Hand in the rehabilitation of injured horses
Another day will be about Cases Study. One, two or more horses will be analyzed for their lameness or lack of performance. Solutions will be proposed and experimented in the training ring and then explained in great details in the class room. As for Immersion I, II and III, lunch and humor will be provided.
The third day will focus on a specific gymnastic exercise. The November Immersion will analyze in great details the Shoulder In. 
The move is frequently used for rehabilitation as well as performances. For instance, the gymnastic of the shoulder in is particularly efficient for horses jumping with the knees close from each other over the jump.
The presentation will include;
For non-riders as well as rider, the Science of Motion’s Work in Hand allows educating the horse to properly coordinate his vertebral column mechanism.
Contact us 941-539-6207 helyn@scienceofmotion.com
twitter
facebook
google
stumbleupon
myspace
linkedin
blogger
