GB2502841A

GB2502841A - Abdominal muscle strengthening lunging system for horses

Info

Publication number: GB2502841A
Application number: GB201216513A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rachel Measures
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-04
Filing date: 2012-09-17
Publication date: 2013-12-11
Also published as: GB201209913D0; GB201216513D0

Abstract

A lunging system designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles of a horse. The system comprises two elasticated straps D which are placed around the horse's abdomen. The straps place a sensory input into the muscles, increasing the activity within the muscle. This increases the strength of the abdominal muscles and subsequently the core stability of the horse. The lunging system further comprises a roller B, side reins A and a crupper C with special D-rings for the attachment of the two abdominal straps. The abdominal straps have a snap hook on each end for attachment at one end to the roller, and at the other end to the crupper.

Description

Lunging System Patent Application

Description:

Abdominal muscle strengthening lunging system for horses Anatomically, a horse's spine is orientated in a horizontal plane when bearing weight on all four feet.

The main part of a horse's back is not supported by a limb in the same way as the shoulder girdle and the pelvic girdle. The limbs act as a strut to the aforementioned girdles. However, the thoracic portion of the spine of a horse has no such supportive limb, or strut. It is this less supported part of the spine, however, that a horse rider will position themselves when mounted. The horse must rely on the support of muscle groups, most significantly the abdominal group of muscles, to prevent a hyperextension (or sagging) of the spine under the rider's weight. This is an undesired movement both in a veterinary related scenario: for example it may cause damage to structures of the spine such as discs, and joint surfaces, and is also undesired in a performance related scenario: for example in the show ring or dressage arena where a horse and rider combination is being judged on their physical frame. Therefore, abdominal strength is desirable for both therapeutic and performance purposes.

The fact that the strength of any muscle can be affected through training is both accepted by the general population, and proven by research. A horse's abdominal muscles, and the subsequent support that they give to the spine, can therefore also be improved through training. This lunging system is designed specifically to work on improving the functional strength and supportive capacity of a horse's abdominal muscles. Whilst lunging a horse is a long established and popular way of exercising a horse, this system specifically works on improving the abdominal strength of a horse and, therefore its core stability. This is not a feature that has been included in any previous lunging system. The feature of the system that is responsible for the effect of increasing the abdominal strength is two abdominal straps. The use of the abdominal straps creates a sensory and proprioceptive input into the horse's nervous system, thus increasing the postural awareness of the animal. This in turn creates an increased effort within the abdominal muscles, increasing their strength and the horse's core stability. This has both a therapeutic and performance enhancement effect, as discussed previously.

The position of the abdominal straps encourages an increased muscular contraction due to the sensory input it provides. This increase in abdominal activity then creates a flexion (ventroflexion) of the spine. This not only will stretch the spinal epaxial muscles, but will also enable the horse to step hind limbs further under the body as the abdominal contents will have been lifted out of the way.

Flexibility of the spinal epaxial muscles is important as strength cannot be gained without flexibility, and also it prevents build-up of muscular tension along the back which can create pain when the horse has a saddle and rider placed upon its back. The rounding and flexing movement of the spine is beneficial also for horses with a condition known as kissing spines. This condition is characterised by painful rubbing of the dorsal spinous processes in the horses back. By flexing the back, these processes are spaced apart, which can reduce the amount of friction and inflammation and therefore pain experienced by the horse.

The components of this lunging system are listed below (as shown in Diagram 1): 1 pair of side reins (A) 1 standard lunging roller (B) 1 specially adapted crupper (C) 2 elasticated abdominal straps (D) The lunging system is used by carrying out the following process: 1) Fit the lunging roller (B) around the horse girth area.

2) Attaching the side reins (A) each side from the lower D-ring on the roller (i(s)) to the ipsilateral bit ring on the horse's bridle using clips (E).

3) Fit the crupper (C) under the tail at one end and secure to the central ring on the roller at the other end.

4) Fit the two abdominal straps (D): the first should go from either d-ring on the left side of the roller (I(s)), pass under the abdomen, then attach to the appropriate ring on the crupper (L) on the right side according to the horse's size. This should then be repeated with the other abdominal strap attaching from right to left. Both abdominal straps must attach to the opposite d-ring on the crupper to ensure equal pressure, and to ensure there is no slippage of the abdominal straps.

5) The horse is then ready to be exercised on the lunge. This consists of making the horse move around the handler at a variety of paces (walk, trot and canter), whilst being attached to the end of the lunge rein to maintain control over the horse.

6) The lunging system should be used for 20 minutes with equal time spent in each direction, 2- 3 times a week to ensure a positive strengthening effect is had upon the abdominal muscles.

Important features The lunging roller (B and Diagram 3) is made of a non-stretch material, either leather or a synthetic substitute (J). It's most important features are: the side d-rings for attachment of the side reins and the abdominal straps, the top d-ring (1(t)) for attachment of the crupper and the adjustment buckle (K) to ensure the correct fit of the roller on the horse.

The side reins (A and Diagram 2) are to maintain a contact with the horse's mouth and to encourage it to maintain a neutral head position. It relies on a buckle for adjustment to the horse's size (G) and a clip on either end (E) to attach to the d-rings on the roller (i(s)) and the horse's bit in its mouth.

There is an elasticated portion (F) as well as the webbing portion (H) in order to allow some give in the contact with the mouth.

The crupper (C and Diagram 4) is fitted along the horses spine and secured under the tail by the loop (N), and is made with special d-rings (L) at the lumbosacral region for the attachment of the abdominal straps. The crupper strap portion (0) can be made of leather or a synthetic substitute, and there is a buckle (M) to allow adjustment of the crupper to the horse's size The abdominal straps (D and Diagram 5) are made of elasticated webbing (R), with a metal slider (0) to adjust to fit each individual horse, and swivel hooks on either end (P) for attachment to the d-rings on the roller (i(s)) and the crupper respectively.