ELECTROLYTE DEPLETION AND PAIN E
lectrolyte depletion in the rider is another source of pain. Muscles rely on calcium, phosphorus and magnesium for effi cient function. A shortage of magnesium will cause cramping and restrict ability. Calcium defi ciency will
impair the operation of muscles from weakness and a phosphorus shortage will prevent the smooth operation of the muscles. Muscular breakdown also occurs from glycolysis where waste products clog the system and prevent the fl ow of fresh nutrients for continued effi cient operation. Bear in mind that alcohol and coff ee are quite dehy- drating, which will also lead to cramping and spasm due to lowering nutrient-enriched fl uid levels. High-energy drinks may be loaded with caff eine or sugar, and it is a good idea to limit their intake during a long ride. Solution: Hydrate yourself before and during your ride. Add a couple packets of electrolytes to your water
bot les. Check the ingredients for amino acids and minerals that indicate chelation and thus the ability to pass quickly through the cell wall. Non-chelated (i.e., non-ionized) minerals take up to three days to be absorbed and not all the material is used before the kidney fl ush in the bushes.
horse, the horse must rebalance according to how we sit and where we put our weight. A left-leg resting person tends to put more weight in the left stirrup, and the horse develops a diagonal balance away from the left leg and tends to turn to the right. Solution: Try “walking” in the stirrups in
synch with the rhythm of the horse’s strides. This moves your own lateral balance in time with the horse’s lateral movements and helps equalize your weight in the stirrups.
MIX IT UP Riding at a walk for extended periods
adds to the time the horse carries weight. “Oh, I’m not racing” means the horse is going to do more weight-lifting during the ride—the hindquarters must work harder and longer to lift your “dead” weight. The momentum and rebound effect at the trot allow for the moments of suspension as the rider is slightly lifted out of the stirrups and off the back. The horse is literally defying gravity by fl ying—this disconnection from the ground is a rest from weightbearing, and at the canter even more so. Mass travels forward rather than bearing down. At the walk the joints must take up the weight more than the other gaits. Solution: Even during a laid-back
pleasure ride, mix periods of trotting and cantering in with walking to give you and your horse a break. You’ll also fi nd that the variability takes stress off your joints, especially your knees and hips. In closing, it is important that we lead
physically balanced lives, maintain correct posture and use as many muscles as pos- sible in our daily lives, paying attention to using both sides equally, and being as ambidextrous as possible. Your horse will appreciate it and perform with greater ease, comfort and willingness consistently. Lameness from one-sided fatigue will lessen and, for those of you who compete in trail sports, your scores—and personal satisfaction—will surely increase.
36 June | July 2010 •
WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US
EASY GOER: T e author’s students, TR Notablymishaah and Debbie Schultz, fi nished fi rst in the Northeast region’s Featherweight division of AERC in 2008 with 730 miles.
A native of Lancashire, England, Michael Beesley was licensed to practice massage therapy in 1984 and is certifi ed in both
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Re-education and Facilitation and Equine Sports T erapy. He has applied these techniques to human and equine athletes throughout his 25-year career, assisting equine athletes for USA, World and Olympic competitions in Combined Driving, Dressage, Reining and Endurance. He assisted the US Pan American team to win a gold medal over a challenging course in Maryland. Michael has also worked with Combined Training and Handicapped Dressage as well as T erapeutic Riding horses. Michael is available for private and group coaching, crewing and clinics; contact him at intouchwithorses@at .net
Michael’s published works include: Equine Performance T erapeutics, an Illustrated Guidebook for Balancing Horses Equine Muscular Health, a textbook for students of equine anatomical studies; Equine Performance Newslet er, a periodic publication.
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