Horse Agility: The Special Health Program

Anyone visiting Hof Steigerwald in Hilgermissen for the first time will hardly believe his eyes. Here is trained with ponies and horses, what is actually seen only on dog courses: The horses exceed a seesaw, master a slalom, jump through tires and cross tunnel. Fittingly, the whole thing is called horse agility - the new sport for horse and man not only promotes confidence, but also by the way mobility and coordination ability.

"Actually, the ideas for the individual devices have emerged from the question of how I can meaningfully train from a physiotherapeutic point of view body-sensation," says the instructor, who originally worked with people as a state-certified masseuse. Over the years, however, she focused more and more on the horses and received training in areas such as equine physiotherapy, kinesiology, acupressure, Cransiosacral therapy and Reiki. "At Viviane Theby I started with clicker training, which is now also a focus of my work," reports Steigerwald. For five years she is self-employed in the field of horse training, her hobby horses are beside the agility also medical training, young horse work and senior gymnastics.

Nina Steigerwald's horses are worked exclusively on positive reinforcement. "Especially in free work that is incredibly motivating," she says. "In the past, I rode a lot more than today. If it has to go fast, I just need to wrap a food bag and start working. This is very practical. " 

In fact, each of the many gymnastic equipment that Nina Steigerwald uses on the Agility course, many of which she developed herself, has a special effect on the horse's body. Here we introduce a part of the devices and their gymnastic effects.

Tires

The tire is a test of courage and jumping gymnastics in one: the horse learns that it can not jump over something, but also through something. Here, first of all, every passing through the head is rewarded up to the slow passing through. Later, a small jump follows from the trot or canter. As with the Cavaletti work back and abdominal muscles are strengthened.

Gymnastics mat

Even a thick gym mat, which many are likely to know from physical education, is an integral part of the agility course. There are three positive effects here: "First of all, it's about trust work." If the horse dares to hit the mat, it will be led first in a step, later the whole thing can be increased and extended to trot and gallop. "Here the horse has to stabilize incredibly. It's very tiring to lift the hooves so high that they can easily get over the mat. "