How and why are raised trot poles different to walk poles and what is their place in training and rehabilitation?
First of all, let's think about the gait. Trot is a two beat diagonal gait, with a suspension phase. This means that there are two beats with a period of suspension in the middle. Limbs work in diagonal pairs; the first pair hit the ground (beat one), followed by the suspension phase (pause), followed by the second pair hitting the ground (beat two). This sequence gives the trot a bounce like motion, which is relevant when thinking about raised trot poles in training and rehabilitation. Picture 2 clearly shows the limbs working in diagonal pairs, with the RF and LH off the ground and the LF and RH on the ground. Can you remember that when we looked at raised walk poles, we said that by reducing the base of stability (i.e. by taking one limb of the ground), core muscle engagement would increase. Here were have two limbs off the ground, meaning the base of stability is reduced further. This would suggest that core musculature is worked harder during raised trot poles compared to raised walk poles. However, that's not entirely true; because the trot has upward motion and is a faster gait, balancing on the two limbs is easier than it would be if two limbs were simultaneously off the ground in a slower gait. That said, when negotiating the raised poles, the diagonal pair of limbs is off the ground for longer than they would be if the poles were ground poles, or if there we no poles at all, meaning that raised poles do engage (and therefore strengthen) core musculature. Part of this core musculature is abdominal muscles- look at them working on picture 4.
Proprioceptive awareness is also increased. This was again a benefit of raised walk poles but in trot, the horse is moving more quickly and therefore has to think more quickly as the poles are approached at a greater speed. The communication between brain and limbs needs to be faster. Look at Dolly focusing on the poles in picture 1.
Limb joint flexion is increased in all forelimb and hindlimb joints during work over poles, which increases further once poles become raised. Reseach informs us that all hindlimb joint flexion increases when travelling over poles and raised poles which is different to other training aids, such as tactile stimulation, which impacts only the joints in the distal limb (lower down the leg). Look at the difference between the joint flexion in picture 1 on approach to the poles, compared to picture 2, when negotiating them- it is clearly greater in picture 2. Why is this important? If we want to keep joints healthy and flexible, they need to be regularly taken through their range of motion (use it or lose it!). Furthermore, to achieve the greater limb flexion, extrinsic and intrinsic limb muscles have to work hard, meaning the exercise has a strengthening effect to the limb flexor muscles.
Extensor muscles are also strengthened during this exercise. Look at picture 4 and the arrows indicating the supporting limbs. As mentioned above, negotiating the poles slows down the gait, meaning that the stance phase lasts longer than it would when trotting over level ground. This means that the extensor muscles, which are engaged during the stance phase, are engaged for longer, which over time achieves a strengthening effect.
Hindlimb protraction is also increased. This is partly due to the increase in HL joint flexion already described. Picture 3 shows the LH during the flight phase of the stride, after the greatest amount of joint flexion has been achieved and as it pushes forwards in preparation to meet the ground. The extra flexion it has achieved through negotiating the poles results in a greater protraction stride- look at pictures 5 and 6 which show this as it reaches the ground (tracking up). As with the walk poles, because greater HL protraction is achieved, the horse flexes better over the back, working the epaxial muscles and developing self-carriage- note the lines drawn on the pictures to mark the outline of the back and neck.
As the poles are evenly spaced, the exercise can help improve and correct uneven gait patterns or asymmetrical striding. Look at picture 5 which shows the consistency in stride length achieved by the poles- this is continued in picture 6, once the exercise has been completed. Furthermore, the distance set encourages a certain length of stride, which also serves to extend the muscles of the thoracic sling and improve freer movement in the shoulder (picture 3).
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