The horse's back is extremely important for its stability and movement. It also carries the weight of the rider. A healthy back is essential for your horse's well-being, long-term use, and performance.
When weight is placed on the horse's back, the spine bends downward. This restricts the lateral movement of the spine. When moving forward, the standing phase of the legs is extended and the hanging leg phase is shortened. Horses compensate for some of the weight load by tensing their abdominal muscles and arching their backs. However, above a certain load, changes to the back and legs occur over time, as well as pain.
For simplicity's sake, only the rider's weight is often considered in relation to the horse's body weight. Regardless of constitution and training condition, a horse can carry a weight load of 10% of its own body weight without damage. With a normal constitution, it can cope with up to 15%. With a weight load of 20% of its own body weight, damage occurs in horses with a normal constitution. Horses with a more resilient physique and a very good level of training can still cope with this load at moderate performance levels. Weight loads of 25% of the horse's own body weight cause permanent damage to the entire musculoskeletal system in all horses.
The weight of all equipment must always be added to the rider's weight. Including the saddle, the equipment alone weighs an average of ten kilograms.
However, a horse's load-bearing capacity does not depend solely on its own weight. It must be assessed on an individual basis. Additional influencing factors are:
Young, old, overweight or underweight horses, as well as poorly muscled and poorly trained horses, can only tolerate lower weight loads. In general, horses can carry more weight during moderate endurance work than during short, intense work. Horses with broad, well-muscled backs are more capable of carrying weight. Advanced riders with a supple seat may be heavier than beginners with an unbalanced seat.
The cannon bone load index is another criterion for assessing a horse's load-bearing capacity. This is calculated using the circumference of the cannon bone and the horse's body weight:
Cannon bone circumference (cm) x 100 / body weight of the horse (kg) = cannon bone load index (RI)
The higher the RI, the more load-bearing the horse is. An RI greater than 4.4 indicates good load-bearing capacity. Strong ponies have a higher load-bearing capacity relative to their body weight than cold-blooded breeds or graceful Arabians. Some examples of this are:
During training, it is important that the horse maintains an ergonomically correct posture. This increases your horse's carrying capacity and protects it from back injuries. The higher the weight load, the more important it is to maintain an ergonomic training posture.
By nature, the forehand carries 52% of the horse's weight. The additional weight of the rider puts even more strain on the forehand. The aim is for the horse to carry itself with the help of well-trained muscles.
Well-trained back and abdominal muscles create core stability. This protects joints, tendons, and ligaments from strain and is essential for symmetrical movements. A symmetrical body protects individual structures from strain by distributing the load evenly.
The movement impulse generated in the hindquarters is transferred via the back to the forehand and neck. Whether you are working in hand, lunging, riding, or participating in other equestrian sports, make sure there is a positive arc of tension. This causes the horse's back to arch. The training should lead to active carrying of the trunk in order to relieve the forehand. This requires well-trained trunk-carrying muscles and a hindquarters that can step under.
A puppy that is new to your home is usually curious, playful, and full of energy. Eating is an important part of their development. However, puppies sometimes suddenly refuse to eat, which can understandably cause you concern. It is important to understand the reasons why they are not eating and to know how you can help your young dog during this phase.
Cats have a very sensitive digestive system. Even small changes in their environment, diet, or daily routine can affect their digestion. If your cat suddenly develops diarrhea, there can be many different reasons for this. In this article, you will learn what the causes might be, how to respond correctly, and when you should visit your veterinarian.
Let the adventure begin – it's time to buy a horse! The excitement is palpable. But before rushing headlong into buying the first shiny pony you see, every new horse owner should ask themselves a few important questions.
Moving usually involves more than just boxes, cartons, and new keys—it also brings a lot of changes, both for you and especially for your dog. Dogs are creatures of habit who rely heavily on their familiar surroundings and routines. A change of location can therefore cause stress or even lead to behavioral changes. Good preparation is crucial to ensure that your four-legged friend experiences the transition as smoothly as possible. In this article, we'll show you what you need to bear in mind when moving with a dog – from planning and the actual moving day to settling into your new home.
Many horse owners would prefer to have their horse close by at all times. It would be pleasant to sit comfortably on the terrace and look out over the small paddock or observe the horse in the paddock.
When a kitten first sees the light of day, it is completely dependent on help and care. Kittens are born blind and deaf, relying entirely on their sense of touch and the warmth of their mother. No wonder many cat owners ask themselves: When will my kitten open its eyes for the first time? And what should I pay particular attention to during this sensitive stage of development? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about when newborn cats open their eyes, the typical time frame, possible abnormalities, and how you can best support your kitten during this important phase.
Elbow joint dysplasia describes a complex of hereditary developmental disorders of the elbow joint. It occurs primarily in fast-growing large dog breeds during the growth phase and leads to varying degrees of lameness.
Tumors of the oral cavity can occur in both dogs and cats. In dogs, about half of these tumors are malignant, while in cats, unfortunately, up to 90% are malignant. Due to the poor visibility of the oral cavity, these tumors are often detected at a very late stage.
Periodontitis is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is the most common oral disease in dogs. By the age of five, more than three quarters of all dogs have periodontitis. If left untreated, the disease can have serious consequences for the entire body.
Although this condition is often colloquially referred to as a stroke in dogs due to its similar symptoms, it is not a circulatory disorder of the brain as in humans, but rather a disorder of the balance organ located in the inner ear of dogs.
It is not uncommon for dogs and cats to develop inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which is very painful and can quickly become life-threatening.
A cat's attempt to get outside through a tilted window can result in serious injury. In most cases, cats manage to squeeze their head and upper body through the window but then get stuck with their hindquarters in the slanted gap. Attempts to free them only make the situation worse, causing the cat to slide further down into the gap and become trapped. The consequences can include serious external and internal injuries, collectively known as tilt window syndrome, which can often lead to the death of the cat.
