Learn to recognise, understand and support the hypermobile horse
Vague lameness. Difficulty with balance. Repeated training problems. A horse that struggles to build muscle, tires quickly or shows behaviour that’s hard to explain.
Sometimes they can seem like a collection of unrelated puzzle pieces.
Until you start looking at the horse differently.
Hypermobility can affect much more than joint flexibility alone. It can affect the whole body: balance and coordination, stability, muscle development, posture and movement, capacity for work, behaviour and performance.
In the online course Hypermobility in horses, we’ll help you see the bigger picture.
You’ll learn what hypermobility is, which characteristics you can recognise in a horse and, most importantly, what this knowledge means for the horse’s day-to-day care, management and training.
Perhaps you have a horse that just doesn’t seem quite right, but it’s difficult to put your finger on what’s wrong.
For example, a horse that:
One of these characteristics does not, of course, automatically mean that a horse is hypermobile.
But when several signs occur together, it can be helpful to look beyond the individual problem.
What if several symptoms and training problems are all part of the same bigger picture?
In the early 2000s, we saw a horse with clear signs of hypermobility about once a week.
That picture has changed significantly. These days, we only occasionally come across a horse that is not, or barely, hypermobile.
At the same time, hypermobility often goes unrecognised.
This is partly because when we think of hypermobility, we tend to think of one thing: too much range of motion in the joints.
But hypermobility is much more complex than that.
It is a systemic condition. Its effects can manifest throughout the body, influencing both the physical and mental functioning of the horse.
As a result, horses can show a huge variety of symptoms that, at first glance, seem to have nothing to do with one another.
For an owner, this can mean a long search for answers.
You investigate one problem. You make an adjustment. Things improve for a while. Then something new crops up somewhere else.
So the first step is to recognise and understand.
What exactly is hypermobility?
What happens in the body?
What problems can be associated with it?
Why does one hypermobile horse react so differently from another?
And what does this mean for how we care for, support and train these horses?
Only when you understand what’s happening can you make more informed choices.
That’s exactly why we developed this course.
In our work with horses, we repeatedly came across horses that seemed to have several problems at once.
Training difficulties.
Difficulty with balance and coordination.
Recurring physical issues.
Unusual behaviour.
Difficulty building muscle.
A horse that seemed to hit another limit somewhere else after every improvement.
When you try to solve each problem separately, it’s easy to keep searching.
But once you zoom out and look at the whole system, symptoms that seemed unrelated can suddenly start to make sense together.
That’s what inspired us to keep deepening our understanding of hypermobility in horses.
In this course, we bring together our knowledge and hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, biomechanics, training, behaviour and the myofascial system.
Not just to teach you a list of signs.
But to teach you how to observe, recognise, understand and connect the dots.
After taking this course, you’ll have a much broader perspective on hypermobility in horses.
You’ll learn, among other things:
The aim is to help you learn to observe more closely, recognise patterns and make more informed choices.
Why is it so important to learn more about hypermobility in horses? Many hypermobile horses can function well when we understand their needs. Hypermobility is much more than flexible joints; it’s a condition that affects the whole horse.
We start with the basics.
What exactly do we mean by hypermobility? What happens in the body, and why is an increased range of motion in the joints only a small part of the bigger picture?
You’ll gain the knowledge you need to better understand the rest of the course—and the hypermobile horse.
Hypermobility is not just a joint problem, but a systemic condition that can affect different tissues and organ systems throughout the body. As a result, symptoms may arise that at first glance do not seem to be related to hypermobility.
In this chapter, we move from theory to practice.
Using a range of case studies, we show how hypermobility can present in different horses and what signs you may encounter. You’ll learn what to look for and how to connect different findings.
We discuss various tests for hypermobility and how to interpret the results.
You’ll gain practical tools to recognise hypermobility more effectively and systematically.
Hypermobility calls for a different approach to training. In this module, we discuss the key considerations when training a hypermobile horse.
This chapter gives you insight into why certain training choices matter for the hypermobile horse. However, it isn’t a complete training course that covers every exercise and training principle step by step.
Would you like to learn more about training horses in practice and how to systematically develop balance, body use and strength? Then our online course 4D Equestrian Training is a great next step.
What a hypermobile horse needs goes far beyond training alone. How the horse lives, moves and is cared for during the rest of the day can have a major impact on how well they cope with their body.
In this chapter, we look at the day-to-day management of the hypermobile horse. What adjustments can you make to best support the body? What should you take into account, and which choices can make a real difference?
We discuss practical considerations and show how to tailor management to the specific needs and challenges of the hypermobile horse.
What does hypermobility have to do with behaviour? Often much more than you might initially expect.
In this chapter, we look at the relationship between the body, nervous system, stress and behaviour. Why do some hypermobile horses react the way they do? How might physical instability affect how a horse experiences its surroundings? And how can you better understand behaviour by looking at what is happening in the body?
What happens if we keep going down the path we’re on? And what choices can we make?
In this final chapter, we look beyond the individual horse. We consider what we’re seeing in hypermobile horses today and what this could mean for the future.
What happens when hypermobility goes unrecognised or is recognised too late? What are the consequences of continuing to train, breed and select without taking hypermobility into account? And what choices can we make to bring about change?
This course is for anyone who wants to better understand the hypermobile horse.
Whether you own one horse or work professionally with several horses every day.
This course may be of particular interest to:
No specific prior qualifications are needed.
We explain the material in an accessible way while still going into enough depth to make the course interesting for professionals.
With the online course Hypermobility in horses, you’ll get access to a comprehensive course that brings theory and practice together.
You’ll get:
Language: EnglishAccess: 1 yearLevel: suitable for owners and professionalsStart: immediately after purchasePrice: € 229 incl. VAT
Karin Leibbrandt
Over the past 22 years, I have rehabilitated horses, retrained them from hyperflexion to healthy, biomechanically correct training, and learned how important a healthy, well-functioning myofascial system is (for more information, see the knowledge base). I have also developed my own riding method, called 4dimensiondressage, have been teaching courses for 12 years, and wrote the book: “Training Your Horse Successfully; Horse-Friendly Performance with the Modern Sport Horse”.
Lydia van Oosten
In my work as a behaviour trainer, I soon noticed that many behavioural issues have a physical component. This led me to learn more about biomechanics, correct training and the myofascial system over the past few years. Reading behaviour, correct physical training and myofascial release make a fantastic combination that allows me to help many horses and owners.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to learn more about hypermobility in horses. Horse owners, trainers, instructors and other equine professionals are all welcome.
You don’t need any specific prior qualifications. The information is explained in an accessible way, while still going into enough depth to be of interest to professionals.
How do I know if my horse is hypermobile?
That’s one of the things you’ll learn in this course. In Chapter 3, we’ll show you how to recognise hypermobility. We discuss different case studies and tests, and share a practical protocol you can use to assess a horse systematically.
Is this course only useful if I already know my horse is hypermobile?
No. In fact, this course may be particularly useful if your horse has several physical problems, unusual behaviour or recurring challenges whose causes you don’t fully understand.
The course helps you recognise hypermobility and make better connections between the different signs.
Will I learn how to train a hypermobile horse in this course?
Training is an important part of the course, and we discuss what to bear in mind when working with a hypermobile horse. However, this is not a complete training qualification.
If you’d like to learn in depth how to train a horse in areas such as balance, body use, coordination and strength, you can learn more with our online course 4D Equestrian Training.
Can I diagnose my horse myself with this course?
The course gives you in-depth knowledge of hypermobility, teaches you to recognise its characteristics and includes practical tests and a protocol for assessing a horse.
However, the course does not replace a veterinary examination. If you have concerns about your horse’s health or your horse has physical symptoms, we always recommend consulting a veterinarian.
My horse has no problems. Is this course still relevant?
Absolutely. Not every hypermobile horse shows the same issues, and recognising hypermobility early can provide valuable insight into the management and training choices you make.
Is hypermobility only a joint issue?
No. This is one of the key topics covered in the course. We approach hypermobility as a systemic condition and look beyond the increased range of motion in the joints.
You’ll learn how hypermobility can affect different systems in the body and why symptoms can vary so widely in hypermobile horses.
Is this course also suitable for trainers, instructors and other professionals?
Yes. If you work professionally with horses, being able to recognise hypermobility and understand what it can mean for behaviour, physical capacity, management and training is especially valuable.
The course gives you a broader framework for looking at the horses you work with every day.
How long will I have access to the course?
You’ll have access to the complete online course for one year. During that time, you can work through the lessons at your own pace and revisit them whenever you like.
What language is the course available in?
The course is available in English.
Can I start right away?
Yes. After your purchase, you’ll receive access to the online learning platform and can start the course right away.
The content of this online course is intended solely for general informational and educational purposes. The information has been compiled with the utmost care by Equine Health and Training. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee that the information provided is complete, accurate or up to date.
Users are fully responsible for the use and application of the information in this course.
The content of this course is not intended as veterinary advice and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If you have questions or concerns about your horse’s health or wellbeing, or if your horse shows physical symptoms, always consult a veterinarian.
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