Equine Movement, Performance & Training Assessment
When a horse isn't performing the way you expect, there may be more to the story.
A horse that suddenly struggles, becomes resistant, loses confidence, or stops progressing isn't necessarily dealing with a simple training problem.
Sometimes the issue is physical. Sometimes it is training. Sometimes it is a combination of the two.
With more than 30 years of experience working with horses, including extensive experience rehabilitating horses and working with performance horses in the U.S. and internationally, AEF Training brings an experienced eye to understanding what may be affecting a horse's performance.
I look at the horse's movement, way of going, strength, balance, coordination and response to training to help determine where the difficulty may be coming from and what can be done to help.
Performance Problems Can Have Many Causes
Some horses simply aren't performing as they should.
You may notice:
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A horse that suddenly doesn't want to do something it previously did well
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Changes in attitude or willingness to work
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Resistance to certain movements
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Difficulty with transitions
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Trouble maintaining a lead, or not being able to get a certain lead.
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Changes in balance or straightness
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Loss of impulsion or power
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Difficulty with collection
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A horse that feels different under saddle
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A horse that repeatedly struggles with the same exercise
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A horse that seems unable to progress despite consistent training
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Behavioral changes during work
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A horse that appears physically capable but isn't performing consistently
The question isn't always “How do I train this?”
Sometimes the better question is:
“Why is this horse struggling with this particular task?”
An experienced eye can help separate a training difficulty from a physical limitation — or recognize when the two may be connected. Sometimes a horse's difficulty is the first indication that something has changed, even when the problem isn't immediately obvious.
Looking at the Whole Horse
During an assessment, I consider both training and physical factors.
I look for areas such as:
Movement & Physical Function
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Weakness
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Asymmetry
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Compensation
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Balance and coordination
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Changes in way of going
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Difficulty using particular parts of the body
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Changes from the horse's normal movement
Training & Performance
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How the horse responds to the rider
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Understanding of the exercise
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Training level and preparation
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Strength and fitness required for the task
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Rider/horse interaction
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Whether the exercise is appropriate for the horse at its current stage
This isn't about automatically assuming that a performance problem is physical — or assuming that it is simply a training issue.
It's about looking at the horse in front of you and asking the right questions.
Groundwork & Under Saddle
Depending on the horse and the reason for the assessment, I can evaluate the horse both from the ground and under saddle.
Riding the horse myself can provide another perspective on what the rider is experiencing and can help me evaluate how the horse responds to different exercises and demands.
From there, I can develop practical exercises and training strategies specific to that horse.
These may include groundwork, strengthening exercises, coordination and balance exercises, poles, transitions, and ridden exercises.
From the All-Around Horse to the High-Performance Athlete
This service is designed for all types of horses.
Whether you have an all-around horse that isn't quite right, a young horse developing its strength and understanding, a horse returning to work, or a high-performance athlete competing at the highest levels, the approach remains the same:
Listen to the horse. Look closely. Understand the difficulty. Build a plan.
When a Veterinary Examination Is Appropriate
AEF Training does not diagnose veterinary conditions or replace veterinary care.
If an assessment raises concerns about possible pain, injury or another physical problem, I will recommend that the horse be evaluated by a veterinarian or other appropriate qualified professional.
Likewise, a veterinary diagnosis does not necessarily answer the question of how the horse should return to work or rebuild strength. Once a horse has been appropriately evaluated and cleared for exercise, training and conditioning can play an important role in helping that horse move forward.
Sometimes the first step isn't finding the perfect exercise.
Sometimes it's figuring out why the horse can't do the exercise in the first place.
Is your horse telling you something?
If your horse isn't performing the way you expect, or you simply feel that something has changed, let's take a closer look.
Contact AEF Training to discuss your horse and schedule an assessment.