How to use it?
MATH ® requires precise and simple learning:
Facilitating exercises promote neck descent and mobilization of the spine (which you'll find in the videos). Always start on your horse's supple side and repeat each exercise 20 to 30 times on each rein.
- An explanatory time at standstill is decisive and essential: using resistance on the MATH ® in the middle, we'll encourage the head to lower. As soon as relaxation and lowering are obtained, reward your horse. Repeat this reflex several times to make it easier for the horse to understand. During the session, if the horse resists too much, we'll repeat this explanation.
- We'll mobilize at the walk, several times the hips outwards on a small circle (2 to 3 m), nose turned in, held fairly high to create an extension of the spine. As soon as the inner hind leg is sufficiently mobilized, we'll release the hand and progressively widen the circle to encourage the neck descent.
- We'll repeat trot-walk transitions so that the horse perceives the release of tension. This will promote longitudinal mobilization of the spine and toning of the abdominals. One lap at the trot, 3-4 walk strides then trot again, etc.
Prolonged descent requires postural balancing and progressive lengthening of the thoracolumbar fascias, which is not immediate and will require several sessions.
Progressiveness and relaxation will be the basis for using MATH ®, to encourage rather than constrain.
Progressive emphasis will be placed on engaging the hind legs under the mass, helped by working over ground poles. We'll obtain mobilization of the last lumbar vertebrae and vertical thrust through passing 6-7 ground poles set out in a V. To be done at every lunging session.