Helyn Marie Cornille's Page

The biomechanics of the vertebral column, although very complex are of vital importance because they form the basis of all the body's movements." (Leo B. Jeffcott, 1980)
Equestrian education and veterinary approaches regard the horse's vertebral column as secondary to the legs. Principles of riding emphasize flexing the horse spine through greater engagement of the hind legs and/or lowering of the neck. In the line of thought that back soreness is only the compensation for hock pain, equi… Continue

December 6, 2009

The shock waves from the FEI's implementation of the progressive medications list has encircled the globe and sharply divided the equine community. I am very concerned by the rhetoric being used to justify the change. I signed the petition at www.no-fei.com, and stand squarely with the BEVA, many of the FEI's own present and past veterinarians, their Honorary Scientific Advisor, all national organizations opposing this change and concerned in… Continue

Understandably, the successes of extraordinary horses are exploited to accredit given schools of thought. It would be eminently useful if the lameness of others horses trained through the same school of thought were analyzed with equal passion. The flaws of a training technique may be compensated by the talent of particularly gifted horses. The deficiencies are indeed exposed by the failure of reasonably talented athletes. The alarming injury rate amongst dressage and hunter jumper horses strong… Continue

he horse is three years old turning four. He has been backed four, maybe five times at the date of this video recording. Therefore, it is not a training issue. At three years old, the horse is so lame that he is not capable of trotting with a rider on his back.

Can you figure out which limb is hurt. In the next newsletter we will show you where the lameness started, why it shows the way it does and how it was possible to restore soundness.

The lameness was not identified until the backing proc… Continue