Each equestrian discipline creates in own demands on the body systems of both horse and rider and consequently appropriate training/conditioning routines are required to enable the horse to carry out and fulfil the role as efficiently as possible. For example, the training programmes and stress areas of a dressage horse will be very different to that of a point-to-pointer/chaser. Just as the demands placed on a polo pony will differ from a horse used for driving.

Each discipline has its own demands and to compete/perform successfully without undue strain, and in order to avoid unnecessary injury, each horse must be trained accordingly and become conditioned to meet the demands asked, taking into account their breed, age, temperament and physical and mental capabilities. More often than not, there tends to be a certain breed/type of horse favoured by competitors/trainers for specific disciplines, who's temperament, conformation and physical and mental capabilities are felt to best cope the demands asked. For example, the arab is popular with many endurance riders and the warmblood is often favoured by both dressage and show jump riders.

Please select your preferred discipline from the list below:

Dressage | Cross Country | Show Jumping | Flat Racing | National Hunt/Point-to-Pointing | Hurdling
Driving | Polo | Endurance | Eventing

DRESSAGE                                                                                                               Back to top...

One of the most exhausting disciplines, both mentally and physically, for the horse. This work demands precise movements (including vertical and lateral movements) as well as accurate changes of stride length and tempo. All whilst maintaining an outline - something which necessitates static muscle work for the axial skeleton and which is exhausting for the horse.

CROSS COUNTRY (inc huntertrials, teamchasing and eventing)              Back to top...

The above all require the horse to negotiate a series of fences of varying heights, widths and combinations at a moderate gallop over natural terrain, including hill tops, slopes, flat and bends over a distance of 1½ miles and over. Ground conditions vary. Falls of horse and/or rider can be common.

SHOW JUMPING                                                                                                      Back to top...

The show jumper is asked to negotiate a number of jumps, many being combinations at a controlled pace. Show jumping demands sudden bursts of power from the horse in order to achieve sufficient elevation over the obstacle as well as the ability to turn sharply and change legs frequently. The horse needs a combination of athleticism, speed and muscle power as well as precision - almost like a coiled spring.

FLAT RACING                                                                                                          Back to top...

In this discipline the horse is required to go from a standstill in the stalls to its maximum speed, which is to be maintained over a set distance - usually a distance chosen by the trainer which is felt to be most suitable for the horse at that point in the horse's training programme - the horse is then asked for increased speed (a final spurt of energy) towards the very end of the race. Distances of races vary from the shortest distance of 5 furlongs to the longest, 2 ¾ miles.

NATIONAL HUNT/POINT-TO-POINTING RACING                                          Back to top...

In this discipline the horse is asked to accelerate from a walk to a gallop for approximately 3 ½ miles for pointing and anything from 1½ - 4 miles for chasing, and negotiate a number of fences (including plain brush, an open ditch and a water jump) en route, over natural terrain - including hills (both up and down), bends, undulating ground, sometimes left handed, other times right, depending on the course. Ground conditions vary. Falls/mishaps are common.

HURDLING                                                                                                               Back to top...

The horse is asked to accelerate from walk to gallop, maintaining a high speed, negotiating a series of identical obstacles (all same height and width) which can be situated on flat or sloping ground sometimes coming off a bend. Falls are a frequently occurrence.

DRIVING                                                                                                                   Back to top...

In this discipline, the horse is asked to pull as opposed to carry weight. The severity and areas of stress can vary depending on the number of horses being driven. In a four in hand for example, the wheelers (horses nearest the vehicle) need to sit into the breaching to help with the braking, when the vehicle goes down hill for example. The leaders (two in front) however, take control for uphill pull. If the leaders or wheelers do not work as a pair, ie one leader is slower than the other, the other will try and take on the role of both of them creating uneven muscle strain/fatigue as well as upsetting the balanced line of pull. One horse will in effect be "carried" by the others, relying on them to do the work.

POLO                                                                                                                         Back to top...

The polo pony is required to accelerate, decelerate and turn suddenly and sharply whilst retaining the balance, by transferring weight so as not to slip up, in order that he can race forward again at high speed or stop instantly - depending on what is asked of him. This discipline can place immense strain on the hock and fetlock joints.

ENDURANCE                                                                                                          Back to top...

In this discipline the horse is asked to maintain a steady to moderate pace over very long distances and varying terrain in all conditions (weather, temperature and ground!) whilst carrying the rider. All of which attribute to the stresses placed on the horse and his body systems. A horse trained in a relatively flat environment, on say, roads and tracks will struggle when suddenly asked to cope at a competition where the terrain is hilly, undulating and the going fairly soft for example.

EVENTING                                                                                                               Back to top...

This is the discipline where the horse must meet not one demand, but 3 - dressage, cross country and show jumping. Some events take place all in one day, some throughout the course of 3. The horse must be obedient, relaxed and supple for the dressage. Prove stamina, speed and a combination of boldness and sense across country. In the show jumping, the eventer needs to be versatile, athletic and precise. Terrain, position of obstacles across country, climate and ground conditions must all be considered. Some horses cope better with certain conditions than others.