We had a wonderful IHTC Internatioanl conference and hope we see more of you next year! 

It is time to start setting up your 2015 Jean Luc clinics. Click here for link for clinic information.

We are starting a new winter program where you can bring your horse,stay in guesthouse etc and we will send out as soon as details are final. It will range from 3 days to 2 weeks with JLC lessons.

We have opening for horses in training , information in newsletter. 

Sincerely,
Editor Helyn Cornille
Science Of Motion

 

2014 International Conference.

At the 18th century, the Marquis of Condorcet (1743-1794) believed that the study of anatomy was already completed. Researchers cleaned up all the tissues surrounding the muscles, tendons, ligaments or bones that they planned to study. Later some became curious about these connective tissues trying to understand their purpose. These connective tissues are now known as fascia. Instead of promoting miofascial release as the recipe for better performances, soundness and all types of promises, Louis Wild explained what fascia really are and in which circumstances and why they could and they should be released. This is what the 2014 Edition of the Science of Motion International Conference was about; no blind use of words and unrealistic promises. Instead, sound information about advanced knowledge and how new scientific discoveries transform and further riding and training techniques as well as therapies.

 

Trainers and teachers are positioning riders into a posture allowing balance control and communication with the horse. Men and women are taught about the rider's position using the same words and very few find real efficiency for the very simple reason that the vertebral column of men and women are not functioning the same way. Muscles mass and power also create major differences. Michelle Osborn MA, PhD, studied the differences between vertebral column structure and function of men and women. Her brilliant expose clearly demonstrated that even if aiming at apparently the same posture, the teaching of men and women cannot be effective using the same approach. Women in fact have to coordinate their body using very different muscular combination than men.  In most instances, difficulties to learn are not related to the rider's lack of skill. Instead, difficulties to learn are due to the incapacity of the equestrian education to evolve, adapt and specialize. During the afternoon demonstrations, Jean Luc showed how a woman tends to react when taught to use her body as a man and how the adaptation alters the horse's gaits and performances. Riders' education follows the same patterns than horses' education. Some succeed out of their talent and in spite of the training approaches. Many possess inherently the elements for success but their talent is marred by ill adapted or antiquated riding and training techniques.
 

 

Dr. Betsy Uhl, DVM PhD started her expose with alarming numbers. 41% of quadruped of museum specimens are wrong - 50% of toys are wrong - 63% of anatomy textbook images are wrong. As science is becoming a marketing tool, statements, claims and even research studies are biased to sell a product or a belief. Carl Sagan warned about the need for a "baloney detection kit." Betsy provided the detection kit. If you watch carefully the painting of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia executed on live horses, you can see enormous errors that are often directed to make you believe what the horse's handler tries to sell. Using two equine vertebral columns, one suspended and the other articulated, Betsy showed the wear and tear that muscles create on the articular facets of the vertebrae.  From there, how the muscles work in locomotion. From there how abnormal stresses alter both bone and muscular structures. Arthritis commences in the subchondral bone before becoming apparent on the cartilages of the joints. Dramatic lesions such as fractures are preexisting inside the bone under the form of micro-fracture. With clarity and competence and superb pictures, video segments and computer animations, Betsy invited the audience in deep understanding of how the horse's body effectively works. Knowledge is the key, As the presentation of Betsy Uhl developed, one after the other familiar beliefs died, included some labelled as "scientifically proven." The science of baloneys was properly put to death giving room for the real evolution and the practical application of true new knowledge.

 

Jean Luc rode several horses focusing on the shoulder for and wearing a microphone. As expected when the practical application of advanced scientific discoveries is based on real science, it was constant references to what Michele, Betsy and Louis have explained during their presentations. The same harmony converted the open discussion that was scheduled on the second day as a fascinating discussion. The questions were intelligent and naturally, the speaker the most knowledgeable in the field, responded. Soon, it was no longer four speakers and many auditors but a large group discussing about new knowledge and the practical application of new knowledge. Betsy and Michelle were impressed by the quality of the questions. Louis needed more time to respond to all the questions. It was the final bouquet of what the science of motion truly believes. Provide educated, objective and advanced information and riders and trainers and therapists will liberate themselves form the restrictive chains of traditional thinking.  

 

Jean Luc

 

"Instead of thinking outside of the box, get rid of the box"

In the equestrian world, the "boxes" are theories based on equestrian literature but unrelated to actual knowledge of the equine physiology. Fred Ritchin wrote, "We are being sold products and social scenarios that appeal to our fantasies but ultimately fail us." This applies to numerous training techniques.  They appeal to our fantasies but they ultimately fail both, the horses and the riders. The first box to get rid of, is the mean value theorem.

If you remember the years in high school, "given a planar arc between two endpoints, there is at least one point at which the tangent to the arc is parallel to the secant through its endpoints." During these years, I was physically in the class room but mentally with the horses. I immediately integrated the theorem to the training techniques. We act on both ends of the horse thoracolumbar column, the hind legs at one end of the neck at the other end with the mean of creating an arc with the thoracolumbar spine. 

The belief that the horse's lower line, pectoral and abdominal muscles flexes the upper line, the thoracolumbar curvature, has been perpetuated through centuries. Elementary studies between insertion and attachments of main muscles created "simpler" theories. In the light of today's knowledge, our ancestors' views of equine functional anatomy were na�ve. However, they strongly believed that their views were at the cutting age. For instance, at the eighteen century, the Marquis of Condorcet (1743-1794) believed that the study of anatomy was already completed. In fact, a century earlier, , "All knowledge was already known" (William Machester) was the belief that initiated the "renaissance."

Due to its position under the rider's legs, the rectus abdominis muscle, which spread from the adjacent part of the sternum to the prepuberis tendon of the pelvis area, was believed to be the muscle engaging the hind legs and flexing the back. In 1945, L. J. SLijper investigated the angle of the equine dorsal spine. Slijper was one of the firsts to believe that the inclination of the dorsal spines was related to the forces exerted by the main back muscles. The Dutch scientist found unusual support with the birth of a goat which had no front legs. The goat learned how to stand and move on her hind legs. If Slijper's theory was right, the dorsal spines of the bipedal goat should have a different orientation than the dorsal spine of a normal goat.  Effectively, the dorsal spines were oriented differently. This illustration shows on the top, the thoracolumbar column of the bipedal goat and by comparison at the bottom, the thoracolumbar spine of a normal goat.

 

Slijper's finding could have been the beginning of the new level of thinking which attributes to the back muscles the capacity of lifting the back. Curiously, the Dutch scientist aligned his theory of thoracolumbar flexion with conventional beliefs. Slijper emphasized the "Bow and String" concept.The back is like a "bow," Which is composed of the thoracolmbar spine and back muscles, and that can be flexed by the tension of the "string."

Several scientists questioned the theory. The most pertinent observation was certainly the remark of James Rooney.  Lordosis or sway back is created by a problem at the level of hypoplastic joints.

Training Program

(Impossible is only impossible within the limits of conventional thinking).

The Science of Motion training program is restoring soundness and competitive skill even when other approaches have failed. Shelly had a chronic case of Sacroiliac Joint. She was lame with the right hind leg and responded positive to all tests at the exception of pressure on the tuber coxal. Shelly owes her full recovery to the determination and intuition of her owner Julie. Julie Reich did not believe the advises of numerous professionals telling her that the mare had no physical issue, "It's in her head." Of course not it was not in her head. The problem was an inverted rotation of the thoracic spine which placed the thoracolumbar column and therefore sacrum and pelvis in the wrong alignment in relation to the direction of the motion. Consequently, repetitive abnormal stresses were induced on the sacroiliac joint and the joints' stabilizing mechanism worked dysfunctional inducing protective reflex contractions and pain.

Shelly is now sound, calm, cooperative and scheduled to go back home in two weeks. Julie spent a full week at the center learning how to ride her newly sound horse. The experience went very well. Julie fully understood the concept and her skill allowed her to ride her horse very well. Julie is confident that she will be able to continue the horse reeducation and I agree with her. They will be reunited soon.

Mini cooper is her nick name because she is small surrounded by giants such as Chazot, Manchester, and Caesar. An accident turned her into a monster almost dangerous to handle. Victoria has been educated by a knowledgeable trainer and both knew that it was not a behavior problem. Victoria realized that the SOM approach was her horse's sole hope and decided to send her horse for reeducation. Yes it was a problem of torsion in the thoracic vertebrae that rendered mini cooper disconnected in her back. The physical pain created by the two problems triggered her reactions. One month in her reeducation, mini cooper is now sound, exploring comfortable gaits and behaving with great intelligence and kindness.

The horse are trained every week days and exclusively by Jean Luc. Once their education or reeducation is advanced, we encourage the rider to come and learn how to ride their new horse. When the rider feels confident that he or she will be able to carry on the recovery program, the horse goes back home. 

We only take 5 horses at the time as reeducation demands diligence and time. The rider has to be prepared for changes. Successful reeducation cannot be done applying the principles of riding and training that created the problem.

 

The monthly fee, including the rider's lessons is $2800 per month (training and boarding). We ask for a deposit of $1000.00 which cement the official reservation. The rest, $1800 is paid at the arrival of the horse. Payments can be made by check (Science of Motion LLC), or through our Paypal account.

For more information about our requirements about vaccination, worming and other issues please contact us. Helyn@scienceofmotion.com, or 706 485 1217

Due to the limited number of availability, we encourage you to contact us rapidly for scheduling.

 

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Jean Luc's competitive career is as distinguished as it is diversified. Competing at national and international levels in dressage, steeplechase, stadium jumping and three-day events, he has won extensively in all specialties collecting several gold, silver and bronze medals. Notably, Jean Luc won the individual and team gold medal at the military world championship of Fontainebleau in 1975. In 1971, he won silver at the world championship of Punchestown. The following year, he was member of the winning team at Bokello. However, Jean Luc feels that his greatest success lies in his ability to intuit the physical and mental condition of each horse the day after their victories.

 

A 1968 graduate of the Equestrian Military School, Le Cadre Noir de Saumur, Jean Luc received intensive training from Joseph Neckerman, Willy Schulteis and Hans Gunter Winkler. In 1972 and 1976, respectively, he worked closely with Michel Cochenet to prepare two Olympic teams for the national three-day event. Margit Otto Crepin, the French and Olympic Champion, is one of Jean Luc's most prominent dressage students.

 

Moving to the U.S. as dressage trainer for the 1984 Los Angeles Olumpic jumping team gold Gold medal, Melanie Smith at Windrush Farm, Jean Luc subsequently founded E. A. 21 in Orange, Virginia, from which he began an extensive program of clinics and seminars throughout the U.S. and Canada. His work has concentrated on applying the latest biomechanical research to redefine traditional approaches to equine training. It was here that Jean Luc also discovered a strong connection to the rehabilitation of lame horses. He has successfully rehabilitated such severe disabilities as navicular syndrome, contracted tendons, degenerative joint disease, and upward fixation of the patella, as well as cases of obscure and idiopathic lameness.

 

Jean Luc began his publishing career in 1982 with a series of articles in the French equestrian magazine L'Eperon. His writing credits also include the U.S. magazines Dressage and CT and The Chronicle of the Horse. He continues to share his research and knowledge through clinics and lectures, and as founder of Science Of Motion. He is currently working on a series of text books and educational videos, that will discuss and explore his findings to date. To that end, he has published a series of articles on biomechanics, a video exploring the subject of appling recent scientific discoveries to equine athletes' education.

 

The computer age allows a more advanced understanding of the horse's gaits and performance than previously known. Computers also have made the knowledge available to everyone. After decades of research and successful application of scientific discoveries, Jean Luc feels that time has come to take advantage of this modern technology by letting everyone have access to be able to apply these discoveries. Thereby, horses can be efficiently prepared for the effort; gait abnormalities can be discerned before they became injuries; and, performance difficulties can be analyzed down to their source. There is a way to educate horses which rises from one's heart and intelligence. There is undoubtedly a more subtle, more ethical, effective and better way. It is a prime opportunity that will lead Olympic caliber riders to the upper echelon of the podium. It will offer other riders an even greater victory, Beyond and between the shows is the quality of the daily life with the horses, the faculty of preparing them efficiently and keeping them mentally and physically sound until their golden age.