2008 Global Dressage Forum

Activate Your Horse's Core

October 22, 2008

During the Global Dressage Forum on October 27-28th Mrs. Hilary Clayton will give a presentation to show how the core strengthening exercises are performed and will describe the benefits of each exercise. Hilary Clayton leads the innovative research programs on equine movement and its effect on health and lameness issues at Michigan State University's (MSU) Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center in East Lansing, United States. Clayton has spent a lifetime studying equine biomechanics and her mission is to perform scientific investigations that directly benefit the sport of dressage.

As a veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Clayton's studies on the biomechanics of equine gait have focused on sport horses, including dressage and jumping horses. She recently published a manual on the horse’s core stability. ‘Activate Your Horse's Core’ consists of a 95 minute DVD and a step-by-step manual with laminated pages and spiral binding that can be taken to the barn. The DVD and manual show how to perform exercises that mobilize the joints and engage the muscles used to round and stabilize the horse's neck, back and pelvis during athletic activities. In addition to improving strength and flexibility, these exercises will improve your horses posture, self-carriage and balance, especially in the highly-collected movements.

The exercises are performed from the ground and do not require sophisticated equestrian skills or special equipment. The exercises have been designed by a veterinarian and a physical therapist to improve performance and reduce the risk of injuries by strengthening the muscles of your horse's core.

Back to the GDF Index