Who needs good posture?
I love how posture has become a big buzzword in the equine bodywork and training community. I love that we are beginning to focus on the whole picture, not just individual parts of the body. At first glance, switching from talking about a »frame« in which we are working a horse under saddle to »posture« might not be that different, but it's worlds apart, really. First, when we talk about getting horses to work in a certain frame, we are implying that we are somehow making him assume a certain position that will enable him to do the work. On the other hand, posture implies the horse's choice in how he carries his body. It's a subtle, but very important difference. The other thing is, when we are talking about a frame, we are only focusing on the time the horse is working. When he is out and about, eating or playing with his body, no one cares about his frame. But posture is always there. A horse has good or bad posture regardless of whether he is carrying a rider or not.
Since posture has become a popular word, postural training has become a big thing too. Since I started thinking about my work as facilitating good posture instead of fixing dysfunctional body parts, I have become better at enabling long lasting change. Postural training can be different for each horse, but in general it involves very gentle exercises that help the horse understand how to best use his body. Often, riders and horse owners will assume that postural training is only used in rehabilitation. But like with humans, good posture benefits every individual regardless of how well they are functioning. Because good posture is what saves you from having to go through a rehabilitation process in the first place.
Taking the time to teach the horse good posture will make things easier down the road.
Postural training is for everyone. It's for the young horse just starting to learn how to engage his muscles. It will give him a solid foundation. It's for the senior horse who doesn't work under saddle anymore because of arthritis in his hocks. It will strengthen his muscles and take the load off his aching joints. It's for the hard-working athlete. It will reduce any compensation patterns and make him more aware of his body. It's for the horse who has a big high-low issue in his front hooves. It will enable the thoracic sling to be both strong and pliable, making room for change in the hooves. It's for the anxious horse. It will empower him and calm down his overactive nervous system. It's for the horse that never complains. It will prolong his career and make life easier. It is for every horse.
The goal is to teach the horse how to best inhabit his body not only under the rider, but when he is eating, when he is resting, exploring, playing... How we carry ourselves has a big impact on how we feel. The link between posture and mental wellbeing is well established in human research. There is no reason to think it should be any different in horses. By teaching them good posture we are teaching them how to not only feel good in their bodies but in their minds as well. By creating good posture, we are creating happier horses.