IIn the upcoming episode of Tori Jeffress's Masterclass, we explore the equine spinal column, with a focus on the intricacies of vertebrae and their impact on your horse’s movement and health. The spinal column forms the backbone of your horse's entire body, playing a crucial role in movement, stability, and overall well-being.
Anatomy of the Equine Spine:
In total, your horse typically has around 51-54 vertebrae, depending on the number of caudal vertebrae in the tail.
Understanding the anatomy is just the beginning. Tori delves into how spinal health directly affects your horse's movement and performance. She discusses common issues that can arise within the spinal column and demonstrates exercises designed to maintain or restore your horse’s spinal health. Whether your focus is on rehabilitation or optimising performance, this episode equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your horse's care.
What to Expect:
Benefits:
How This Will Help You and Your Horse: By understanding the anatomy and function of the spinal column, you'll be better equipped to support your horse's health and performance. This episode provides practical insights that will help you keep your horse moving well, whether in rehabilitation or as part of a proactive care routine.
After getting her first pony at the age of two, her love for horses never really blossomed until her mum sold that same pony when she was 7 years old, because she was not one bit interested! From that moment on all she wanted to do was ride!As a youngster, for the initial first few years of pony club Tori grew up spending more time with her face in the dirt than she did on the horses back, push button ponies were never a thing, you rode what you were given and you learnt to hang on… or fall off!Tori says it’s these ponies that taught her resilience- your either “Give in, Give up or Give it all you’ve got”.Thankfully after a few unsuitable ponies she was blessed with one she stayed on, a little more regularly at least!
At age 13 Tori started open level eventing and at the age of 16 left school to pursue a career with horses.At the age of 18 Tori’s focus was more or dressage, this is also when she found Rocco! That’s where the story really starts, the beginning of one very big, expensive but rewarding learning curve and irreplaceable knowledge.Rocco experienced some soundness issues and spent a ridiculous amount of time at the vets, nerve block, after x-Ray, after cortisone injection. He was sound for short spurts and then would go lame again.In 2014 Tori started learning more about classical dressage, around the same time she also began training Rocco bridleless.
Training with a more classical approach and knowledge of biomechanics proved to be very beneficial for Rocco's strength and soundness.In 2017 Tori started training under classical trainer Belinda Bolsenbroek, who she says has been an amazing mentor and coach for her and still is. With Belinda's guidance Tori helped Rocco rehabilitate back to a sound riding horse and has since helped many other horses and owners rehabilitate from injury and behavioural problems.
Tori teaches and trains according to classical dressage principles, with a strong focus on spinal alignment, the function of the body beneath the surface of what we can see and how we as riders are affecting the functioning of the horse biomechanically when we work them. Understanding basic anatomy allows us as riders and horse people to be able to promote correct muscle development; the stronger the structural foundation, the more physically able, balanced, and therefore willing to perform is the horse.Tori works with horses and owners of all levels, across various disciplines. Classical dressage is for any horse, the intention of strengthening the horse's body. A healthy body means a healthy mind.
We also donate 25% of our profits to charity
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