Favorite Finds Week Eleven
ProSix Wrap
This is one of the most beneficial tools I use when bringing a horse back into training but its benefits don’t stop at rehabbing. The ProSix can be a great tool for any horse, any discipline and used for lunging or riding. The ProSix is an elastic wrap that goes all the way around the horse, from the chest to the hindquarters. There are elastic bands that go over the wither and flank area and one band that goes completely around the back and under the belly to support the abdomen. The ProSix wrap helps the horse with posture and frame without tying the horse down. When bringing a horse back into training, it needs to be a slow methodical process. This wrap allows you to help the process along and creates a gentle rebalancing for the horse so they start to use their body correctly again. There is also a canine version that I have never personally used but friends have told me how helpful the wrap is for aging dogs or for dogs in rehab.
Quick Knot Braiding Pins
I just started using these braiding pins and I love them! Everyone has a way of braiding, whether it’s yarn, rubber bands, thread, etc and I can personally say that I have tried all the techniques. Now, if you need the braids to stay in overnight and you have a horse that is hard on braids, then sewing the braids in with yarn or thread is the way to go. But if you’re like me and you don’t want to cut yarn and fumble around with all the steps, then you will love these pins. I love the big dutch scallop braids that are fairly round and poofy in shape. With the Quick Knot pins, you can make your braids any size or shape and because the pin is a flexible wire, you can use the pin part to shape and mold the braid to look the way you want. And bonus, these are reusable! The link below is to the company’s website which includes a video showing you how easy they are to use. You can find standard Quick Knots on many websites through google but the XL size for thick manes is harder to find outside of the company’s website.
Interesting Anatomy and Performance Video
If you’re my student you will hear me discuss the horse’s anatomy, biomechanics and posture quite a bit. The more we understand how and why our horses are moving in a certain way, the better equipped we are to help them achieve balance, lightness and engagement. This video is really informative and incorporates a lot of veterinarians and researchers that explain why getting your horse’s back engaged is so important. Not only are these professionals great at explaining why engagement is important but they also show pictures, diagrams and video to better understand the research and information provided. Engagement of the back and hind legs are so important as you develop any horse but especially a dressage partner. Having someone on the ground can be extremely beneficial when you’re learning what engagement feels like so that you may start to understand the true feeling of a horse lifting their back.
Developing Your Horse's Back: the Biomechanics of Engagement