This module provides important foundation skills for students of equitation in movement and technique analysis, necessary for evaluating equines as athletes. Students are provided with the knowledge and skills to evaluate the physical interactions between the horse and rider.

Common misconceptions in rider skill requirements. Rider movement; the role of nervous, skeletal and muscular systems in proprioception and movement, use of body segments for balance and to influence the horse, core stability, skill related components of fitness, physiology and psychology of motor learning, limiting factors - joint range of movement, mental fitness and physical fitness. Qualitative analysis of rider movement, variations by sports discipline. Analysis of technique, strategies and rules of the 3 main Olympic equestrian disciplines and horse racing. Use of video analysis of, and feedback on rider performance. Analysis of efficient technique and it's role in influencing the horse and avoiding injury. Simple methods for developing rider and horse skills; use of simple off and on horse techniques on the flat, over ground poles and jumping to promote efficiency, rhythm, balance, coordination and accuracy in rider and horse movement. Developing skills and knowledge on bandaging, bitting, early handling of horses and corrective and surgical shoeing. Factors affecting rider movement; tack and equipment, horse and rider conformation, rider gender, length of stirrup and saddle design.

On successful completion of this module the student should be able to; Identify fundamental skill sets for riders and horses in various disciplines at novice level. Identify and understand components of skill in horse and rider in dressage, showjumping and racing. Prepare training areas and equipment including ground poles and simple fences. Apply equipment to the horse safely and according to established guidelines. Apply principles of the training scale to the training of horses

On successful completion of this module the student should be able to; Express views on the ethical implications of training methods.Take personal responsibility for their own influence on the horse.

On successful completion of this module the student should be able to; Maintain balance and control of horses through a series of simple fences and grids with guidance.

The module is delivered by a combination of lecture and horse-based laboratory sessions. The module content is continuously revised and recent developments from equitation science, animal science, animal behaviour and animal physiology are included in the discussions and presentations. Students collaborate in group laboratory assignments and presentations directed towards improving their knowledge, team-building and presentation skills. Students are also required to do a significant amount of library research to improve their subject knowledge and journal reports, which improve communication skills, form an important part of the overall module assessment.