Core Conditioning for Horses: The Core Release Volte

The following is an excerpt from Core Conditioning for Horses by Visconte Simon Cocozza, published by Trafalgar Square Books / HorseandRiderBooks.com. To order click here.

The Core Release Volte

This is the simplest, gentlest, and most useful back stretch of all (above). This exercise is both easy to do and easy to master, and it almost immediately gives the core its freedom.

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The Core Release Volte is a wonderfully natural and simple exercise (below). It is also the most important back stretch a horse can do as it gives us a reliable and relaxed Long-and-Low HNP that you can use in almost all the other exercises.

Releasing the core: Stretching Flexion brings the horse onto a volte and aligns his spine.

It couldn’t be easier: two circles on a figure of eight with a Stretching Flexion (see p. 139) may seem too easy, but it creates both lateral and vertical back flexions, making it an excellent body-confidence-building exercise, particularly when the back already shows some signs of being weak or sensitive. In any situation, this go-to exercise can alleviate mental and physical tension in very little time. The Long-and-Low Outline we achieve with this exercise leads naturally into the full back stretch of the Forward, Down, and Out, which is the all-important Exercise 3 (see p. 186).

This exercise helps the horse:

• Align the spine and release the core.
• Stretch the longissimus to release the topline.
• Awaken the three Core Powers, particularly the Nuchal and Thoracic Lifts.
• Relieve tightness or spinal discomfort.

This exercise helps solve these issues under saddle:

• Falling in/out.
• Heavy contact.
• Stiff, unbending back.
• High head.
• Rushing.
• Uncomfortable seat.
• Hollow jumping style.

Longer and lower: When aligned well, Wardance can stretch naturally from the Long and Low HNP to the Forward, Down, and Out HNP to voluntarily stretch his own back.

What It Does Inside the Horse

The bend of the 6-meter (20-foot) volte circle creates the ideal spinal angle to release the horse’s core and round the back. The core releases as the spine drops into its correct alignment, allowing the Nuchal and Thoracic Lifts to activate (see illustration below). This gives the spine ideal conditions to release and mobilize through its entire length.

The 6-meter volte is a vital training tool requiring the horse to make his own body changes and round himself naturally. During this exercise the horse must think for himself and experiment with bending throughout the back (thoracic spine) evenly, so we don’t really need to teach the horse anything, other than to maintain the bend around the volte and let him find a better way to balance himself.

As this exercise is purely a low-impact stretch, it is an ideal starting place for all horses, particularly for those that need to relax in the back, round a little more, and think about bending into in a softer outline.

Achieving Core Release lightens the forehand. By lowering the horse’s head and activating the Nuchal Lift, this exercise helps to shift the horse’s weight toward the rear and into a better balance.

Core Score, Level, and Head-and-Neck Position

If your horse has a Core Score of:
• 4–5, then do this exercise at the RELEASE LEVEL.
• 2–3, then do this exercise at the COORDINATION LEVEL.
• 0–1, then do this exercise at the TONE LEVEL.

In the Core Release Volte we use two small circles to create a lateral and longitudinal stretch for the horse’s back (see below). Aim for a soft contact in Long-and-Low HNP until Core Release is felt before either encouraging a Forward, Down, and Out HNP or riding a more challenging exercise in the Warm-Up Plan.

• RELEASE LEVEL (Free-Walk with a Long-and-Low HNP): The walk reaches deeper than any other gait, which is why it is important to get this exercise right in the free-walk before moving up to the Coordination Level.

• COORDINATION LEVEL (Trot d’École with a Long-and-Low HNP): The Core Release Voltes in trot d’école are a wonderful way to establish a soft, natural way of going. The Stretching Flexion and body bend combine to coordinate core, limb, and spirit. Most healthy horses with a Core Score of 3, 2, or 1 can start the Core Release Voltes at this Level.

• TONE LEVEL (Petit Galop with a Long-and-Low or Forward, Down and Out HNP): This is a marvelous combination of coordination and fine muscle control. Once the horse is very soft in the Coordination Level, picking up the petit galop teaches the horse the very delicate management of his center of balance. The horse will, at some point, ask to lower into Forward, Down, and Out. This is a wonderful milestone for your horse’s back—bravissimo!

When the horse is performing well in the petit galop Tone Level, those horses and riders capable of advancing the exercise can introduce slow, relaxed, long-and-low canter lead changes where the two voltes touch. Start with a simple change (through walk); then, when fluid, introduce the flying change. You will be surprised how much this will improve your horse’s canter.

A figure of eight made of two voltes changes bend and direction so regularly that it gently releases many of a horse’s back stiffnesses.

How to Do It

This is the number one exercise for simplicity. As a deliberately non-confrontational back relaxation exercise, great results are achievable for all horses in a short time, if ridden correctly. Consider author and renowned dressage coach Jane Savoie’s words: “The stiff side is not the problem. Your horse feels stiff to the right because the muscles on the left side of his body are shortened and contracted. The solution to this problem is to stretch those shortened muscles on the left side by riding your horse with too much bend until you feel the muscles on his left side elongate.”

• STEP /1/ Choose a location with free space around you—X is ideal if in an arena.
• STEP /2/ Begin riding the figure eight with an inside Stretching Flexion.
• STEP /3/ Establish a rhythm and change the rein where the circles meet, gently plodding from a left to a right volte.
• STEP /4/ When Core Release happens, immediately allow the horse to stretch down as much as he wishes by letting the reins slip and lengthen through the fingers. The exercise can continue in this new Forward, Down, and Out.
• STEP /5/ When working in Tone Level, change direction at random rather than every time to avoid anticipation.

When Core Release is achieved, the horse’s gait will slow dramatically. This is normal. Even though the horse’s body can be felt as having have a better internal balance thanks to his rounder back, the newly active muscles will take time to gain grace and fluidity—but they will.

Common Problems and Solutions

Remember, if you experience any problem or difficulty, drop a Level until it is easy again before retrying.

• No core release. Not enough inside Stretching Flexion or the Level is too high.
• The horse falls in or speeds up around the circle. Also not enough Stretching Flexion.
• A strong inside rein contact. The outside of the horse is tight in the back. Continue with the exercise at Release Level until the core releases. This will release the inside rein to you.

If the horse has a bad back, this exercise will take time to achieve, yet the Core Release Volte always produces excellent results.

Core Score Zero Goal

At its highest Level, this exercise is no longer about stretching; it is about balancing. Once the horse can bend through the body both laterally and vertically without feeling any restriction, the paces become wonderfully measured, balanced, and elastic.