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Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 793
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 3, 2006 - 6:51 pm: |   |
Dr. O.,
Can you tell me if what is being said in this post is true, with regard to the lack of muscle in a horse's lower leg? I was recently at a clinic where just very light 6 oz. weights that had jingle bells on them were put on the horse's feet so you could hear the 4 beats clearly. The weights were removed then and exercises were given to help encourage your horse to reach further under him. The weights weren't suggested as a training device, just for demonstration only. The following paragraphs was the response from a very reputed gaited trainer.
If what she's saying is true, then what about boots? Shoes? Wraps? Splints? They all weigh something...??? I'm perplexed. And I guess according to her, we shouldn't take them in the mud or snow either, because they might have to pick up their feet?????
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.........stated her belief that these items are so light weight that they are harmless.
I beg to disagree.
There's much to-do made about the fact that the 'weights' are so light weight. What most people don't understand is that - unlike humans - horses HAVE NO MUSCLE in their lower limbs to lift weight. This means there is a leverage or pulley effect that takes place in the upper limb, even for a seemingly 'light' weight. This pulley effect does cause greater lift in the leg, and quickly 'enhances' the gait. But BECAUSE there's no muscle in the lower leg, the strain on the knee and shoulder (or hock and stifle) is phenomenal. Only 6 oz.? Think about that being equivalent to 6 pounds by the time the torque reaches the shoulder (or hock). Then think about that action being repeated 60 times every MINUTE. The horse's leg has effectually lifted 360 lbs. during that one minute. Weights on two legs? 720 lbs. a minute. Humane? No. Effective? Maybe for the short term.
The next point generally made is that these devices help young horses learn to gait, and can be removed once 'muscle memory' has been established.
Hog wash. Muscle memory can and will be 'forgotten' within a relatively short time after the action devices are removed. In addition to this, the young horse who hasn't yet developed 'muscle memory' is the one whose vulnerable structures should NOT be subjected to weights or chains. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 16793
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Oct 5, 2006 - 9:55 am: | |
I don't think her simple appraisal of physics accurately reflects what is happening and experience along with a little common sense does not support her conclusions. At least not as I understand the meaning of "phenomenal" and "inhumane". This would make horse shoes or even simple boots, inhumane to apply to the horse, much less considering the rider's weights effect on the horse's effort at locomotion.
DrO |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 795
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Oct 6, 2006 - 3:59 pm: | |
Thanks Dr. O, this is the answer that I had hoped to receive from you. Believe it or not, I have been banished from her on-line gaited message board because I simply disagreed with her statement. I will not name names, but this woman is forefront in the gaited horse world.
I know I have said this many times before, but the advice I get here from you and from other members is worth every penny. I know I can come here if I have a question and get REAL answers that are based on fact, a wealth of experience, and good common sense. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 16807
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 - 11:31 am: | |
And if we disagree we will gladly and politely debate. The idea that someone was knocked off just because of a difference in opinion suggests a moderator who is insecure about their knowledge.
DrO |
ilona armoni
Member
Username: Ilona
Post Number: 265
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 3:27 pm: | |
I can substantiate that...we know that I have been in some strong debates here on HA and yet love this site, have been welcomed not rejected and I try to contribute what I can. I have learned so much..still am learning so much. I have a new employer and part of the contract is one hour per day on HA to study the intricacies of the horse and horse care.
Thanx Dr. O for the opportunity to learn so much for so little. |
Erika L
Member
Username: Erika
Post Number: 483
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 9, 2006 - 8:51 am: | |
Debates? Here?...Where?! |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 798
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 4:03 pm: | |
“I never considered a difference of opinion as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
Thomas Jefferson
This is one reason why this message board works so well, and is why I will continue to pay for a membership here, and will not fret for a moment longer that I was tossed from a 'free' message board. There was nothing 'free' about that board.
Ilona, I think it takes a lot of guts sometimes for an individual to put themselves out there on a limb with an opinion, especially when it's not popular opinion, but if it's well thought out and intelligent, then sometimes there's an opportunity to learn something new from that opinion, even when its not a shared opinion. |
