Learning about biomechanics with Andrea Sargent

By Nicole Vaugeois

The Equine Educations series has begun! On Wednesday night at Vancouver Island University, we had the opportunity to learn about biomechanics from Dr. Andrea Sargent. Andrea is enthusiastic about what she does and shared a whirlwind of ideas with us in the 1.5 hour session. For those that couldn't attend - here are a couple of tidbits that I took away...

• Competitive Trail is a great sport because it focuses on the fitness and conditioning of the horse. The way we judge our horses - 60% is based on biomechanics - which Andrea supported.
• The way our horses is built can indicate a lot about their function - so structure can indicate functionality. At the same time, how our horses function over time, can also influence their structure.
• She encourages horses to keep active - use it or lose it - as muscle maintenance is vital to support our horses movement.
• She encouraged us to train our horses over varied terrain - this allows them to learn to use their body effectively, prior to competition.
• She demonstrated how forward movement is a result of a bow and sling action - initiated in the hind end. The spine, if healthy, carries the movement generated in the hind end up and then out. If there are any structural issues with the spine, which can be caused by a number of things (conformation, poor saddle, poor riding...), then the energy gets blocked, diffused into the muscles and the horse will have to compensate in other ways to move forward.
• She showed us a few images of horses conformation and indicated how the alignment of key joints in the hind and foreleg, can influence a horses movement.
• And - the fun part, she demonstrated a few of these on our audience members!

On behalf of BCCTRA, thanks Andrea for your time and expertise. For those who missed the event, mark your calendar for March 16th when Shane Sampson will go into Hoof care with us. Same place, same time - Vancouver Island University at 7-8:30 pm in Building 250- room 215. Members are free and non members are $3 - and there are door prizes too!

New education series starting soon!

BC Competitive Trail Riders’ Association is spearheading a new education series this spring on equine health. The schedule provides learning opportunities for equestrians to learn more about horse fitness and conditioning, the basis of competing in long distance riding. While the topics are intended to help competitive trail riders prepare for the 2011 season, equestrians in other disciplines are also welcome to attend.

Location: Vancouver Island University – Building 250 – Room 215 Nanaimo campus
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Cost: BCCTRA members – Free, Non members $3 each session

For more information on this series – please contact Nicole Vaugeois, PR Director for BCCTRA at nicoleathome@shaw.ca or at 250-245-4405


Wed. March 2Biomechanics: A foundation for Injury Prevention and Optimal PerformanceCorrect mechanics is fundamental to sport performance.
Optimal biomechanics increase performance by decreasing abnormal stresses on the body allowing energy to be used more effectively. Aberrant mechanics not only lead to a decrease in performance, it also increases the risk of developing repetitive strain injuries. These types of injuries often go unnoticed until they surface as missed training days, scratches from competition due to your horse “being off”, or the development of a lameness of unknown cause. Join Dr. Andrea Sargent as she speaks passionately about the mechanics behind horse’s movement, common repetitive strain injuries affecting our horses during competition season and how they can be prevented.

Dr. Andrea Sargent BSc (biomechanics), DC, is a certified human chiropractor with post-graduate qualifications in animal chiropractic care. Her practice focuses on sport performance, achieved through education, treatment and rehabilitation of both the horse and rider. She provides her clients with biomechanical explanations behind faulty movement patterns and behavioral/training issues, which can frequently be treated with non-invasive solutions

Wed. March 16No Foot – No RideThe importance of hoof health cannot be understated, yet many riders have a limited understanding about basic hoof care. Join this session as Shane Sampson educates equestrians on what happens within the horses’ foot during exercise, particularly in sports where multiple compressions occur – such as long distance riding events. Shane will then link this information to hoof care including tips for riders to maintain proper hoof health. Whether you shoe, go barefoot or use boots for riding, this session will leave you with a better understanding about what your horses’ feet need to be ready to carry you forward this year.

Shane Sampson is a certified Farrier with the American Farrier Association and a member of the Western Canadian Farrier Association. Shane has been shoeing for over 10 years and advocates for healthy feet – shod, barefoot or boots. He has provided hoof care on the mainland and the island and understands the complexities of terrain, use and horse conformation on hoof health. He is currently the farrier of both the 2010 BCCTRA High Point Lightweight, Heavyweight and overall champions.

April 13th (note this session is in room 210 instead of 215 - right beside one another!)
Recognition and management of metabolic conditions in equine endurance athletes by Dr. Raegan Brendle (Petroglyph Animal Hospital).

April 27th (Building 250- room 210)
Understanding the TPR and tips for obtaining the most accurate values by Dr. Miranda Noseck
This talk will cover how to perform a basic physical exam on your horse. It will include how to take your horse's temperature, pulse and respiratory rate.  It will also cover assessing hydration status, listening to gut sounds, and palpating for a pulse.  As we learn how to obtain this information, we will cover what is normal versus what is abnormal.

Miranda was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where she trained and competed in the hunter/jumper discipline.  She completed her undergraduate schooling at Oregon State University, followed by her veterinary medical degree in Los Angeles from Western University of Health Sciences in 2008.
Following graduation, she pursued an intensive internship at New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center in Dover, New Hampshire, where her focus was emergency/critical care, internal medicine, lameness, and surgery.  A combination of personal and professional reasons attracted Miranda to Vancouver Island almost two years ago, where she works for both Dr. Danielle Fritz and Petroglyph Animal Hospital.