Rider Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the study of the functioning of the body in movement using mechanical principles. Equine biomechanics has warranted a great deal of study, however rarely is the riders biomechanics given the same consideration. Yet, particularly in equine performance events, there are two very distinct biomechanical systems, each with their own normal way of functioning, influencing each other at great speed while exerting significant physical strength. Therefore it would follow, that the faster and more precise a maneuver, the more balance and precision is required on the rider’s part. A perfect performing horse, will be quite different with each rider, so maybe it is time to take a look at how a rider’s dynamic can transform an unbalanced horse into a congruous unified entity.
In certain sports, like reining, cutting and working cowhorse, the rider’s body position is taken into consideration, due to the physical difficulty of the maneuvers required. In these sports the rider significantly influences a horses ability to effectively execute these complex movements, particularly the ones that are performed at a high rate of speed. Outside those sports, Rider Biomechanics is not generally contemplated or studied. Personally I have competed in more than thirteen events and after a lot of success in competition and many many more failures, I wish that I had the benefit of starting with this approach.
2020 Clinic
This summer we held a Rider Biomechanics clinic which taught barrel racers to execute reining maneuvers to demonstrate how important the rider’s position is. With horses ranging from 2 years old to 27 years old, all the horses and riders benefited from the class. They learned how to take the ‘charge’ out of a horse ‘with a motor’, keep a horse collected in a frame and turn with hind quarters engaged, using their seat and not relying on their hands constantly hanging on the bit.