Greetings!
Manchester's First Sound Steps
We created the first sound steps educating the biomechanical properties of Manchester's vertebral column.
Our working hypothesis was that Manchester's lameness was due to compensations that Manchester's vertebral column developed over a long period of time.
We first addressed the hind legs issues because the distortion of the hind legs from the hocks down to the hoof were very advanced and would not permit to work the horse's vertebral column efficiently.
We addressed then vertebral deviation and back muscles imbalance creating longitudinal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. The decision to create longitudinal flexion instead of reeducating one per one the many abnormalities of Manchester's vertebral column mechanism was made due to the fact that Manchester's spinal abnormalities were legion. We decided that teaching him new and sound locomotor patterns would be more effective than correcting one per one the abnormalities cumulated over the years.
For Manchester like for many other horses, re-education is in fact the education that would have, if done on the first place, prevented the injuries.
The Manchester's newsletter includes video footage of his first sound steps and a comprehensive explanation of the conditions that rendered the gymnastic exercises effective.
Jean Luc Cornille
To be part of Manchester's last chance and learn through his reeducation Donate to Manchester's Last Chance  |
The Alternative
A New Training Philosophy
Jean Luc Cornille
Jean Luc Cornille & Chazot |
For one hour you have driven your horse onto the ground picking up his shoulders with your arms. Driving back home, your shoulders are screaming and your back is in agony. A thought is pounding in your head: "This cannot be right". Your left brain finds rationality in the fact that you are gaining decent scores in the show ring, but your right brain desires more wisdom in your relationship with your horse. You would prefer to have willing partner over an obedient but subdued one.
The system wants you to "put the movements on the horse," following a logical order referred to as the pyramid of training. But you see the metaphor through a different angle. A pyramid is primarily a tomb and you feel that while riding your horse into the ground, you are driving your horse, your spirit and your wishes into a grave.
You have read "Ride your horse into heaven and not into the ground" (Walter Zettl)and you like the thought. However, the only advice you ever receive when wondering how you and your horse may achieve that lofty goal is to half halt, which translates into more weight lifting.
What is your alternative? A return to the past perhaps, but our ancestors' doctrines were not created for the demands of modern competitions. You like the lightness of the classical approach but you are hesitant to devote your faith to another doctrine. Would there be a way to move forward into lightness?
As a matter of fact, genuine forward movement is the outcome of lightness. A horse can be fast and heavy on the bit, but not truly forward. When speed is generated, the equine vertebral column mechanism increases the rigidity of the thoracolumbar spine. A similar vertebral rigidity occurs when the horse is pushing on the bit. Our ancestors did not have the measurements that are available to us today. However, they had the sensitivity, skill and clairvoyance to warn: do not confuse speed and impulsion.
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Review of Science of Motion
What is the "Science of Motion"? The simple answer is implied in the name - the complete answer lies in the amazing web site with the same title and all that it has to offer riders that want to progress from what we think we know to what is truly real and ultimately to what is best for their horses - from the horse's perspective. In the not too distant past I had the distinct privilege of attending clinics given by the founder of Science of Motion, Jean Luc Cornille, long before the Internet blossomed into its current evolution. My first introduction to Mr. Cornille was through the magazine Dressage & CT. The magazine no longer exists but the articles authored by Cornille were precise and instructive with regard to equine biomechanics and always presented with a hint of the man's wry wit. The clinics were all presented in the same light and I learned much about what was right and wrong with my riding, teaching and training all from the perspective of the horse. As good as the information was, for its time, most of what even the most learned equestrians thought they knew has been proven incorrect, as the science has finally surpassed tradition.
Mr. Cornille's current baby, Science of Motion, has progressed far beyond those articles and clinics. Never happy with the status quo Jean Luc Cornille forges ahead and continually reevaluates the true influence of the rider on the horse - and most specifically how the human spine can influence the equine spine. All based on sound biomechanics obtained through the very latest imaging techniques as well as Mr. Cornille's unique sense of the animal' body and mind there leaves little question that what is presented is the only way to produce a horse that is correctly developed without harming the body in the process. Mr. Cornille also shares the unique experience of his discovery that horses do indeed think cognitively. And not only think about what we have to teach them - they can and do teach us - if we only just listen. The web site in and of itself is a fantastic contribution to the riding world - sign up for the newsletter and the available information will astound you. The information offered for purchase, whether in the form of a PDF file or a DVD, completes the picture. Unsurpassed in quality of both presentation and knowledge the study of each lesson will advance your own understanding further than anything that I have yet to come across. Instructors, trainers and riders of all disciplines will benefit from a more complete education in the biomechanics involved in working with a horse - present questions to the horse in a manner in which they can comply both mentally and physically and the correct answer is more easily achieved. With such information so readily available it should be (almost) a crime not to make the most of it. Check out the link below and begin a journey that will not only change your life - it will change the relationship you have with your horse and your horse will, no doubt, thank you time and again.
DVD's/VIDEOS |
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Jean Luc Cornille
Upcoming Clinics
CLINIC HOSTS
NOTICE: No Clinics at Ash Stables/Andrea S. Hunt in Aiken SC
Due to non payment from previous clinic.
We are working on a new host for that area.
Dear Jean Luc,
I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude to you for being willing to come to our area and relate your expert knowledge to us! Your approach was so refreshing! It does seem that the German philosophy is so "overbearing" to the horses. Thank you, also, for your thoughts about horses and their kind natures and intelligence. It seems that so many people think they are only there to be bullied and to satisfy ego expectations. They are very special creatures indeed.
Respectfully,
Paula Salter
Heartfelt Farm
Everyone thoroughtly enjoyed Jean Luc. Most of the participants have never been exposed to a clinician of this magnitude with the clear knowledge , understanding, research and presentation to truly help every horse - we are all on a Jean Luc "High". He is truly one of a kind. Also, as you well know he has a wonderful sense of humour which really added to the fun and everyone was comfortable with him, they were not intimidated and felt at ease with asking questions. Even the facility owner, who is a western/natural horsemanship based rider said he enjoyed it and picked up quite a few concepts that he wants to incorporate into his riding and teaching. Thank you for sharing him with us! Pamela McKnight
"Thanks again so much for hosting, organizing, running, etc. the clinic this weekend. It was so fabulous. I am so very grateful that I had the opportunity to meet and work with Jean Luc. He is an extraordinary man. If you wind up giving him feedback from the weekend, please let him know how grateful I am and how highly I think of him. "
"The more I think about it, the more I applaud Jean Luc's work. I, too, am a researcher, so I really appreciate that aspect. For him to collect all of the relevant data and apply it to riding is inspiring. I also admire him for saying that many of the classical methods are not appropriate, given the knowledge we now have about the horse's musculoskeletal system. I would really love for him to be able to deliver this information to a very large number of people. I wish they would consider having him speak at the national USDF meetings." CJ |
Watching Mac explore in-hand work and the piaffe
by
Susan Schoettle
Recently Jean Luc introduced my horse, Mac, to in-hand work - Jean Luc style. Jean Luc's approach to in-hand work is very different from what I had seen before - where the reins are held to the side and a long whip is used to "activate" the horse's hind legs. Instead, Jean Luc walks alongside the horse with his hand near the withers and uses the whip to gently guide the horse into the straightness necessary for collection. The activity comes entirely from the horse - not the whip. I am relating some of my observations and thoughts about the initial days of Mac's in-hand work.
My horse, Mac, a twelve-year old Danish warmblood, came to Jean Luc with a sacroiliac problem that likely had caused him pain for many years. Mac's reaction to his problem was to sometimes refuse to move. Jean Luc's training has removed the physical issues, allowing Mac to use his back properly and move freely.
One day, after I watched Jean Luc's DVD "One Hand on His Shoulder" and expressed my amazement about the in-hand work, Jean Luc said "Let's try it with Mac," and so he did. Jean Luc took the reins in his right hand at Mac's wither and walked forward next to the shoulder. The whip was held in the left hand behind Jean Luc to encourage Mac to move forward. At first, Mac was confused and simply circled tightly to the left around Jean Luc. Gradually, Mac figured out that he could go forward in a straight line. He could have left Jean Luc at any moment, but Mac chose to stay next to Jean Luc and soon began collecting his walk, turning left, turning right. Jean Luc then placed the whip in his right hand, with the reins, and very lightly used it to direct Mac's hind quarters. To my surprise, Mac easily organized his body and his movements to do some left and right shoulder-in in a very collected walk. Mac seemed as surprised as me at what he had done.
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We would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Editor Helyn Cornille
Science Of Motion |
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"Knowledge a la Carte"
Each horse is different and many times over, I have wished that needed information would be concentrated into a single study. Instead, since scientific findings are always influenced by the specific angle of the investigative technique, I had to read several papers from the same study, finding each time, two sentences or at the best one paragraph directly related to the subject.
This wish inspired the concept
"Knowledge a la carte"
Short studies providing history of the scientific research, explanation and practical application of pertinent and specific subjects.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO PAGE
Download Articles in PDF Files |
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Bit & Whip Video
This very good video is the work of Horse Revolution.
We truly admire the talent. However, we do not necessary agree with the conclusion, which is that horses should be trained without bit. The bit is not the problem, the problem is the rider pulling on the bit. Our perception is that horses are athletes that should be trained as athletes. Their education should be about preparing efficiently their physique for the effort. The failure of actual training techniques is that horses are instead submitted to a system. The abuses that are presented in the show rings result directly from the incapacity of the training systems to prepare athletically the horses' physique for the performance.
The study about the damages caused by the whip demonstrates the inaccuracy of old beliefs. When I was a steeple chase rider I was told over and over that due to the adrenaline, the stimulation of the whip at the end of the race was not painful for the horse. This was obviously another of these unfounded opinions which abound in the equestrian world without having any scientific basis.
J
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Jean Luc Cornille
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Jean Luc Cornille DVD's
One hand On His Shoulder
DVD/Video
The most extraordinary in hand performance ever produced.
This is the masterpiece
$50.00+shipping
In the Series
Educating your Eye,
We are proud to present
"The Horse Who Could Not Trot" DVD Video
$50.00 + shipping
What is the Science of Motion
94 Pages
PC/MAC Only
$50.00 + shipping |
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