"Strength Training for Dressage Horses"

Speaker: Dr. Hilary Clayton (University ½ credit)

Strength training for dressage horses is an important means of improving competitive performance and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury. In this session, the clinician will cover general principles of strength training, including the intensity of the exercises, number of repetitions, and the frequency of workouts. In addition, she will also describe the methods of strength training suitable for dressage horses at different levels of training as well as the practicalities of incorporating these exercises into a training program.

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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