The Power of Balance: Understanding Horse Symmetry

Understanding horse symmetry is essential for anyone who wishes to work with horses, whether as a rider, trainer, or breeder.

What is Horse Symmetry?

Symmetry is a term used to describe the balance and proportion of different parts of an animal's body. In horses, symmetry refers to the equal development and proportion of the muscles and bones on both sides of the body.

Ideally, a horse's left and right sides should be a mirror image of each other. This means that the horse's spine should be straight and its limbs should be equally developed on both sides. That being said, neither horse nor human are completely symmetrical but the closer we can get to balanced, the more likely we and our horses are to be straight and move correctly with even weight distribution.

Why Does Horse Symmetry Matter?

Symmetry matters because it affects a horse's overall health and performance. A horse that is not symmetrical is more prone to injury and may have difficulty performing certain movements.

For example, a horse with a crooked spine may have trouble bending and flexing in one direction, making it difficult to execute movements such as turns, circles, and lateral work. A horse with uneven muscle development may also have difficulty maintaining its balance and may be more likely to trip or stumble.

Achieving Horse Symmetry

Achieving horse symmetry is not always easy, but it is essential for a horse's health and performance. Here are some tips for achieving horse symmetry:

1.    Regular Exercise: Regular exercise is essential for developing a horse's muscles evenly and help improve its balance and coordination.

2.    Correct Riding: Riding your horse correctly is also important for achieving symmetry. Make sure you are sitting straight in the saddle and using your aids evenly on both sides of the horse. Your fitness and symmetry come in to play here too! Need help building your fitness level? Become a member of Fit Rider to access our library of on demand home and in the saddle exercises!

3.    Bodywork: Equine bodywork, such as massage or chiropractic, can also help improve a horse's symmetry by releasing tension and improving circulation.

4.     Saddle Fit: If the saddle you ride in has its own asymmetry, that can affect your balance and how you sit on your horse, as well as how your weight and forces are distributed to the horse.

5.     Observation: Finally, it is important to observe your horse regularly to identify any areas where it may be lacking in symmetry. This will allow you to address any issues before they become a more serious problem.

How To Assess Asymmetry

By using various landmarks on the horse, you can check your own horse’s symmetry before you ride. Have your horse stand square on a flat surface and look for the following things (this is not an exhaustive list but a list of some easy landmarks to identify):

Standing behind your horse:

1.      Are his hocks level?

2.      Are the false hips (tuber coxae) level?

3.      Is the tuber sacrale level?

4.      Are the hindquarters evenly muscled?

5.      Are the point of buttocks (tuber ischi) level?

6.      Is the tail centred or off to one side?

7.      Is the spine straight? Look from between the ears down to the tail?

8.      Are the ears level?

9.      Are the withers and the top of the scapula even on both sides?

Standing in front of your horse:

1.      Are the pectorals even?

2.      Are the knees at level height?

3.      Are the points of shoulder even?

4.      Is the barrel of the ribs off to one side?

5.      Are the eyes level?

6.      Are the forelimbs equally muscled?

7.      Are the fetlocks symmetrical or are they wavy?

8.      Are the hooves worn evenly?

By ensuring that your horse is symmetrical, you can help improve its overall health and performance, as well as enhance the beauty and grace of its movements. So, take the time to observe your horse and work on achieving symmetry – your horse will thank you for it!

Noticing any asymmetry in your horse but don’t know how to help balance them out? Send an email to ridelikeanathlete@gmail.com to book an in person assessment and bodywork session or a virtual consultation with me to get a custom fitness and conditioning schedule to help your horse straighten out, strengthen evenly and become more balanced.

Ride on!

Ashley