The Educational Element

Like I've already said, I was at the California Dressage Society (CDS) Annual Meeting and Health Fair over this past weekend. Speedy and I toted home a couple of awards and I got to peek behind the curtain so to speak. On Sunday, I attended the Health Fair which was comprised of a series of lectures and a panel discussion. 

Knowing that I had a long drive through Los Angeles's notoriously heinous traffic, I only stayed through lunch which meant I missed listening to Dr. Mike Tomlinson, a long time endurance vet. I remember him from my endurance days and really wished I had had the time to sit and listen. I did catch Hilary Clayton's lecture on The Pyramid of Training: A Biomechanical Perspective though, which was definitely worth staying for.

Dr. Hilary Clayton

Whether by design or mere coincidence, the USDF Connection had an article by Dr. Clayton in this month's issue - "Some Thoughts on Conditioning Dressage Horses." It's interesting and worth the read. So when I saw her name on the list of lecturers, I was intrigued. She didn't disappoint.

Exercises to create Suppleness, the second tier of the updated Pyramid of Training.

Dr Clayton presented the newly updated Pyramid of Training and talked about a horse's body as it related to the different levels.

• Rhythm - she stressed that hind-first dissociation is desirable. The hind feet should land first followed by the front feet. This is uphill balance.
• Suppleness - instead of relaxation, we should think about elasticity and freedom from anxiety. That really struck a chord with me particularly as it relates to Izzy.

• Contact - she shared some interesting slides showing the difference between a horse whose poll is truly at the highest point as opposed to a horse who has broken at the C3 vertebra. Ideally, the poll should actually look flat as the C2 and C3 vertebrae form a flat spot that you can actually see from the saddle.
• Impulsion - Dr. Clayton focused on two types of tendons, positional tendons - they help position the leg, and elastic tendons - those that stretch and recoil. It is the elastic tendons, such as the superficial digital flexor tendon, that we must guard closely against repetitive injuries.

Compare the heel length in the photo to the right.

• Straightness - One way that Dr. Clayton suggested we think about straightness is that the alignment must be equal. To achieve this, there must be lateral suppleness on both reins. She also dispelled the myth that the position in the uterus determines sidedness. She explained that horses have sidedness in their entire bodies, including the eyes and legs. According to her, horses prefer their handlers to be on the left side.   

• Collection - collection comes from balance and lightness from increased engagement.

If I had to sum up Dr. Clayton's lecture in a tweet, it would go something like this: All horses are born with some asymmetry, and it is our task as riders to help balance them.

The Flapless EQ Science Saddle

Besides Dr. Clayton's lecture, there were a few other educational opportunities that I took a moment to check out. There was a footing rep, a CBD Oil booth (I really wanted to snag a bottle but it was pretty pricey, and a rep from the Flapless EQ Science Saddle. I am sure you've seen this saddle advertised. The first thing most people think is that it's not very traditional, and frankly, it's kind of ugly.

All of that is true although the company has designed a pad that hides all of the innards of the saddle. The panels of this saddle are nearly identical in design to those of the Reactor Panel saddles - I think the rep said the two companies are related somehow. 

I have to say, this saddle, as funky as it looks, was really comfortable. And if a horse's sides are anything like the barrel of the saddle stand, you would definitely get a close contact feel. Also surprising was that I couldn't feel the billets underneath my leg at all. I am not in the market for a new saddle, but it never hurts to sit on one that's just standing there. 

I am going to be sending my Chapter Chair a write-up of the meeting, and maybe I'll get to go again. Has anyone else ever been to their GMO's annual meeting? Do other GMOs even have annual meetings?