Riverbend Equestrian

A recent study from the University of Tennessee provided strong support for something trainers, movement specialists, and bodyworkers have observed for years:

Ground poles significantly increase activation of important postural and core muscles in horses.

What the Study Found

Walking over ground poles increased activity in:

• Longissimus dorsi — a major topline and spinal support muscle
• Abdominal muscles — critical for core stability and support of the spine

Even at the walk, poles require the horse to:

• Lift the limbs higher
• Stabilize the trunk more actively
• Organize posture and balance with greater precision
• Continuously adjust limb placement and timing

At the trot, researchers also found increased activation of the abdominal muscles.

Trotting over poles requires greater dynamic stabilization, and the increased limb elevation demands more coordinated control of the trunk, pelvis, and spine.

What This Means

These findings support the long-standing use of cavaletti and ground poles as a low-impact way to:

• Strengthen the topline
• Improve abdominal engagement
• Support spinal stability
• Enhance proprioception and coordination
• Encourage improved posture and self-carriage
• Develop better movement organization through the whole body

One of the most important aspects of pole work is that it influences both sides of the postural system:

• The dorsal chain — including the longissimus muscles along the back
• The ventral chain — including the abdominal support system

This balance is essential for efficient movement, force transfer, and development of a healthy, functional topline.

But pole work is not only muscular.

It is neurological.

Each pole creates a movement problem the horse must solve in real time.

The horse has to:

• Judge distance
• Adjust stride length
• Control timing
• Stabilize the trunk
• Organize the limbs in space
• Adapt moment-to-moment to changing demands

That process requires attention, coordination, body awareness, and ongoing nervous system regulation.

In many horses, poles appear to improve focus not simply because the horse is “behaving,” but because the nervous system is becoming more engaged and organized around the task.

Pole work may also influence neurological tone — the background level of muscular and nervous system readiness that affects posture, movement quality, stiffness, and coordination.

For some horses, this can help reduce excessive bracing and improve adaptability through the body.
For others, it can help improve postural engagement and overall organization.

Why It Matters

Regular pole work can benefit many types of horses:

• Young horses developing coordination and posture
• Performance horses improving strength, agility, movement quality, and limb awareness
• Horses rebuilding core control and stability after periods of weakness or reduced work
• Older horses maintaining mobility, coordination, and movement confidence

Importantly, many of these benefits occur even at the walk, making poles accessible to horses across a wide range of ages, disciplines, and fitness levels.

Rather than simply “making horses pick up their feet,” poles appear to challenge the nervous system, postural system, sensory system, and muscular system together — encouraging the horse to organize movement with greater control, awareness, and adaptability.

https://koperequine.com/step-by-step-the-benefits-of-walk-poles-for-horses/

🐴 Prebiotics, Probiotics & Postbiotics: What’s the Difference?

“Biotics” are often used to support digestive health, but each type plays a different role in the hindgut ecosystem.

🌱 Prebiotics
Non-digestible fibers that feed beneficial microbes already living in the gut, helping support a stable microbial population and fiber digestion.

🦠 Probiotics
Live microorganisms that are introduced into the gut to help support microbial balance, particularly during times of stress or disruption.

⚗️ Postbiotics
Bioactive compounds produced by microbes (such as fermentation products) that directly support gut function and immune health, without relying on live organisms.

🔄 What about synbiotics?
Synbiotics combine prebiotics and probiotics to support both the microbes themselves and the environment they live in.

Several Mad Barn products, including Omneity, AminoTrace+, Visceral+, Optimum Digestive Health, and Optimum Probiotics, contain different types of biotics to help support digestive function and maintain a healthy hindgut environment.

Biotics can be a useful tool, but their role depends on your horse’s diet, management, and specific needs.

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
Pünktlich zum Wochenende haben wir wieder eine Trainingsübung als Inspiration für euch 🤩🐎 Stangen, Übergänge und Gymnastizierung in einer Übung!
Viel Spaß beim Nachreiten.

What is NSC? They are Non-Structural Carbohydrates.

In simple terms, NSC is the sugar + starch content of a horse’s feed. NSC levels in forage aren’t static — they change by season, plant type, and even curing methods.
• Spring grass and young, lush hay often have higher NSC
• Mature or late-cut hay tends to be lower in NSC

This means your horse’s sugar intake can spike naturally without extra grain. Monitoring NSC helps maintain healthy energy, gut balance, and metabolic stability.

Check NSC values and adjust feeding strategies seasonally — your horse’s body (and brain!) will thank you.

Caxton Network News | From South Africa’s first rhino CT scan to breakthroughs in equine reproduction, the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort campus has revealed a series of medical firsts.
More here: https://www.citizen.co.za/network-news/lnn/article/onderstepoort-reports-major-clinical-and-research-milestones/

WHAT IS BREWER'S YEAST?

This humble ingredient is more powerful than it looks.

Packed with B-vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and prebiotic compounds, brewer’s yeast supports gut balance, shiny coats, and overall vitality in horses. It’s a natural way to boost focus, appetite, and digestive health, without synthetic additives.

Whether used as a supplement or a probiotic feed addition, brewer’s yeast is proof that sometimes the simplest ingredients deliver the biggest results.

Read more in our latest issue of HQ.

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