They tread the jumping competitions in Europe and internationally and yet their headquarters are here, in France! Focus on these traveling horses who compete at a very high level, and on the teams that accompany them.
International horses
Wrapped up in his blanket, the handsome gelding is ready for his monthly locomotor check-up and awaits his referring veterinarian who follows him meticulously. Surrounded by his protectors, our horse of the day enjoys a rest period on his French land, between two competitions, just like his equine and human teammates. A quiet parenthesis, far from the tumults of the starred international showjmping!
The veterinarian in charge of monitoring this picket of horses is Dr Benoit Cadin. Associate director of the Clinique equine de l'Aigle, in France, Dr Cadin travels extensively in the West of France to ensure the follow-up of show jumping and racing horses.
From the simple visit to the clinical examination of the horse
Benoit sees the horses in his charge almost after each return from competition. Depending on the opinions and comments of the team that surrounds the horses on a daily basis, the clinical examinations will be more or less thorough.
Routine observations ensure that all is well: flexions, circles, figure 8, locomotion on hard ground, and soft ground, etc. But diagnostic research can be more extensive if necessary: ultrasounds, x-rays, nerve block anesthesia, etc.
All remarks are considered and screened, from the simple little button on the horse's body to suspicions muscle, tendon or joint pain. The equine's mood is also constantly observed to detect any sign of tension, suffering or, on the contrary, relaxation.
The most voluble exchanges have only one subject and only one objective, the health of the horse. Home rider, competition rider, groom, farrier, veterinarian, all combine their respective observations to allow the horse to reach the best conditions for performing its sporting performance.
Technology at the service of Horsemen
The experience, the knowledge, the feeling are then associated with all the means available to accompany the horse to the highest level of its possibilities, to the highest level of its comfort.
It is on this objective , that Ekico is also working to be useful to the various members of this international level team. Through the development of the Tendiboots™ technology, some of these sport horses have been monitored regularly by the connected tool for a year.
"We know perfectly, each in our own way, the horses we follow. Thanks to our observations, the knowledge of their own character. I can say that with the horses that I follow, we have known each other for a long time and very well", begins Dr. Benoit Cadin.
"With the connected boots I know my horses today in a new aspect and have now collected their data standards. I know for example that such a horse usually has X of Newtons collected by the gait analysis Tendiboots. That this one will have less because it has a less important way to tap onto the ground than the previous one, etc. This allows us, and with the whole team, to modify parameters and see if the horse is better or worse , making decisions about fittings, for example, or even collecting information directly with the mounted rider. The connected horseboots are one more tool at our disposal in our quest for precision and accuracy."
Keeping pace with showjumping results
Rigor hovers within the stables. The entire team that remained in France lives to the rhythm of the rider's results. All this joint work is there to tend towards success in competitions! The day continues, suspended to the notifications of the FEI results. Has the rider gone off track? Does he go on reconnaissance? What are its results? "At this level, everyone must know how to control the pressure. All the members of the team, the rider, the companions, the owners and myself", shares Benoit.
A demanding world, a mixture of diligence, tension, but also excitement, pride and passion. Back in boxing, the vet visit is over; the horse of the day does not know it yet but he is already preparing for his next CSI.
One of his closest supporters covers him with her blanket and answers, with sparkling eyes, my last question of the day:
"Do you also follow him in competitions?", asks -I. "All the time, and it's really great!", she exclaims, smiling.
