relaxation

Concentration is a key factor in performance. A horse not only needs to be able to concentrate; it also needs a certain amount of tension. It’s the same with humans, but the “bowstring” cannot be always drawn. How to find the right balance between tension and relaxation? Is there a difference between physical and mental tension? And how do you find the right balance of tension and relaxation in your horse? Dr Filip Vandenberghe, sports coaching expert, answers all of these questions.

RELAXATION

DR FILIP VANDENBERGHE

COMPLETED HIS STUDIES AT THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE OF GHENT UNIVERSITY IN 2001. IN 2004 HE JOINED THE BOSDREEF ANIMAL HOSPITAL, WHERE HE WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL MRI PROCEDURES ON STANDING HORSES. IN 2011 FILIP WAS MADE A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING, ONE OF 25 VETERINARY SURGEONS WORLDWIDE. HE IS AN EXPERT IS THE FIELD OF SPORTS COACHING. Every horse experiences tension, which is good, because it is a physical reaction that puts the horse on alert in situations where alertness is needed. This reaction has ensured horses’ survival through the ages. Horses don’t need these survival instincts in today’s domesticated environment, but this tension can be used to enhance a horse’s athletic performance by ensuring proper concentration. As long as the tension or stress is short-lived, this is not a problem. The horse is simply more alert and has a long-term supply of energy for top performance. Like a human, a horse can experience both physical and mental tension. It’s up to the rider to use the horse’s physical and mental tension for the right purposes.

Physical tension

To better understand exactly what tension does to the equine body, you must examine the physiological process. In a tense situation, the hypothalamus receives stimulation. This part of the brain ensures balance in the body and, among other things, regulates needs like hunger and thirst. The adrenal glands are given the signal to produce adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol over the spinal cord and the nervous system. The hormone adrenalin helps the organism to react directly to tense situations. Cortisol provides sustained alertness. Both hormones increase heart frequency to supply the body with more oxygen. Cortisol also increases blood sugar levels, supplying glucose to provide the muscles with energy. In acute stress situations, these hormones set vital reaction chains in motion. The reaction chain is physical tension, or tension in the muscles. Blood pressure and breathing increase, blood circulation accelerates and heart rate increases. The body prepares to supply the muscles with sufficient oxygen as the blood is being pumped faster and more efficiently through the body. The horse goes into fight-or-flight mode; in other words, it is ready to perform. Although horses and humans have many things in common, in matters of tension there is an important difference. Heart frequency is a good indicator for tension and here the range in horses is much greater. At rest, a horse’s heart rate lies between 38 and 44. In humans, such a low heart rate is only found in highly-trained athletes. At maximum effort, a horse’s heart rate rises to 220/250 beats per minute. In most humans, the maximum effort threshold lies between 180 and 200 beats per minute.

If they could only talk

Tension is not always easy for us to recognise. That’s because a horse can also be experiencing inner tension, and every horse is different. Whilst one horse may experience no stress during transport, another will find it stressful. Naturally, a rider perceives these changes in a horse with subjective tension, but it is difficult to define exactly what is happening with the horse and how great this tension is. People can describe the tension the feel in words. Expressing it can prevent healthy tension from turning into stress and having a negative impact on performance. The right subjective tension is short-lived and contributes to effort in a positive way.

THE SLEEPING HORSE

There’s no such thing as a completely relaxed horse. Even in sleep, horses maintain a certain amount of alertness. This is because horses are prey animals by nature and are not capable of deep, hours-long, uninterrupted sleep. Nevertheless, they do experience REM (rapid eye movement) sleep phases. During these phases, the muscles in the body are completely relaxed. A horse can only experience REM sleep when it is lying down. Not all horses can – or want to – lie down to sleep. This may be due to a physical limitation or less-than-ideal conditions for lying down in the stable or paddock. The opportunity to sleep lying down is crucial for horses that are ridden, whether for leisure or professionally, and prevents exhaustion. Sleeping lying down is an ideal way for the horse to release tension. Studies were done recently on horses that had been diagnosed with narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a central nervous system disorder in which horses collapse without warning. It was found that some horses didn’t suffer from narcolepsy at all, but rather “only” from an REM sleep deficiency. Quiet stable conditions, low lighting at night, and spacious loose boxes provide the ideal conditions for horses to get a good night’s rest.

Attention to mental well-being

Horses often use roundabout ways to show when tension becomes too great, for example by not responding to the leg or by overreacting. Every horse expresses excessive tension in a different way. Although this involves a reaction to a mental stress, it often has a physical origin. It is not a natural reaction of a horse to not comply with a rider’s request, often there is a physical impediment here. Horses simply don’t think “I don’t want to”. The cause can be wide-ranging, from stomach pains to muscle pains. When a horse reacts negatively, there is always something else going on. Temperament also plays an important role: a high-strung horse will show more discomfort than a horse with a cool, relaxed nature.

Tipping point

We emphasise repeatedly that tension is not bad for a horse per se, but naturally there is a tipping point. A healthy tension ensures that your horse can also perform under pressure. Afterwards, adrenaline and cortisol levels return to normal. However, there are also horses that are under persistent tension or constant stress. It is important to know that such stress can affect not only sport horses, but leisure horses as well. If the stress persists for too long, it will affect the horse’s health. A high cortisol level causes aggressive behaviour, stomach ulcers, a gut flora imbalance and a suppressed immune system. A too-high blood sugar level can cause metabolic disorders, laminitis, muscle problems, and even fertility issues. All these negative impacts can be avoided by making sure that the horse only experiences a certain amount of tension; doing so will keep your horse healthy and happy.

Creatures of habit

There are a few key issues for dealing with tension properly. Horses are creatures of habit and have a great need for regular routines. They like to always do and eat the same things, naturally with a certain amount of variation in intensity. If a horse gets extremely nervous during tests, this can only be lessened through considerable practice. A horse that is specifically trained for shows knows what is expected of it and will be less nervous. That is how you actively bring composure to the horse. Exercise also helps to reduce tension; a horse in its natural environment releases tension by fleeing or running.

The bow cannot be always drawn

Stress cannot always be measured or seen. Our horses cannot talk to us, which is why it’s important to pay attention to the signals that they give us. Signals like ear twitching, position of the head, and expression in the eyes indicate their level of well-being. A balanced training is also important. The bow cannot be always drawn; rest is also a key part of training. The body can only release all that tension when it is at rest, and this is an important aspect of every sport discipline at every level. This physiological regeneration takes at least three days. For example, to be able to perform well at a show, it is important that this be considered for the three days before the event. Your horse is an athlete, and a balance between tension and relaxation is critical for him to lead a fit and healthy life.