"Muscles of the Dressage Horse"

Speaker: Dr. Hilary Clayton (University ½ credit)

To achieve self-carriage and collection, the dressage horse must use specific muscles in a particular manner. "The Muscles of the Dressage Horse" will describe the muscles important in dressage performances and how they provide propulsion, carry weight on the hind limbs, and produce elevation and lightness of the forehand. The clinician will describe muscles in terms of their location in the horse's body, how they contribute to dressage performance, and what the symptoms of muscular weakness are that have an adverse effect on a horse's performance.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Hilary Clayton is a veterinarian, researcher and rider. For more than 30 years she has researched equine biomechanics, conditioning for sport horses, and the interaction between rider and horse. Her research involves using sophisticated equipment and computer programs to analyze the horse's gaits and movement patterns. She has published five books and many scientific articles on these topics. Dr. Clayton is a past president of the Association for Equine Sports Medicine, and a former board member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

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