The Physics of how Horses Jump, Part 3

The Importance of a Good Bascule

Jumping with a stiff, hollow back or retracted neck prevents a good bascule and causes a stiff, inhibited jump. Without a good bascule, the forelegs cannot be lifted as high or folded as tightly, and the hind legs may trail too low and hit the obstacle.

A rider falling behind the motion, interfering with the free use of the horse’s spine, or restricting the horse’s use of his head and neck, can cause lack of bascule. A desperate horse may perform “acrobatics” in an effort not to collide with the fence – he may snatch up his legs, twist sideways, make desperate “swimming” motions with his legs, or extend his forelegs or hind legs early. He may even try to put a foot down on top of the obstacle, usually with disastrous results

A Strong Landing

A stiff, unbalanced or rough landing is hard on both horse and rider and can injure the horse. A tense horse cannot use his springs and shock absorbers efficiently as he lands, and is more likely to make mistakes or injure himself. Insufficient impulsion and poor balance can make a horse land heavily on his front legs – this makes it difficult to resume the canter, and on rough, deep or slippery ground, it can lead to a fall. Some horses land unevenly to spare a weak or sore leg. If a horse must turn soon after a jump but lands in the wrong lead, the turn is more difficult and he may have to execute a flying change of leads.

Rider interference (especially falling behind the motion, dropping down onto a horse’s back, or catching the horse in the mouth during landing or recovery) can cause the horse to drop his back and hind legs prematurely, landing more or less on all four legs at once. This is rough, painful, and very hard on the horse’s back.

This post concludes The Physics of how Horses Jump series. I hope it was informative and insightful.

Happy Riding!

Source: Equine Wellness Magazine

Source: Equine Wellness Magazine