How Equine Anatomy and Biomechanics Affect the Hippotherapy Experience with Dr. Hilary Clayton

This presentation focusses on the physical connection between horse and rider during hippotherapy. Horses vary greatly in size, shape and quality of movement; equine anatomical characteristics that affect the rider’s comfort and connection with the horse will be considered first. The forces generated by the horse and transmitted to the rider will be described focusing on the rhythmic three-dimensional movements of the horse’s thoracolumbar spine compared with those of the human pelvis during forwards walking. Muscular activation and core control patterns in able-bodied riders will be described in the context of how deficiencies in muscular activation and strength affect riding.