Self carriage is a state of independence in locomotory change in rhythm, pace or direction to stimulus. It is a ‘set & forget’ (for the horse anyway), trained state of neutrality or locomotor automation. The maintenance of the rhythm and the pattern of movement (coordination of legs) during cognitively neutral, and likely welfare promoting states of movement are controlled by a bundles of nerve tissue in the horses spinal cord referred to as central pattern generators.
These incredible clusters of nerve tissue aim to manage movements of the horses anatomy, both locomotory or non locomotory to maintain the ideal state of wellbeing for the horse.
As a locomotory pattern generator it is primarily used to efficiently flee from danger, source nutrition & hydration, maintain sources of procreation or social stability, and maintain body temperature.
The activation of these neural bundles, ignited by a welfare compromising state (and stimulus, or a need) culminates un a welfare optimising state, and the result is an automatically maintained, low to minimal, cognitive energy state - so therefore it is a low stress state for the horse.
When trained, it results in the same central pattern generators taking over control of the rhythm & pace during self carriage, or competency.
It is a state of cognitive freedom, as there is no environmental reactivity or internal/external stimulus occurring that requires a change in movement. It is a state of active relaxation, of nervous system neutrality.
Horses have two of these dense nerve bundles in the spinal cord, one located in the cervical thoracic region in close proximity to the withers, and one in the lumbar sacral region - just in front of the Sacroiliac joint.
Cognitively neutral states of equine movement, can be considered as no longer responding to a ‘new or foreign’ stimulus. These states include, but are not limited to swallowing, breathing, heart rate, & uterine contractions during birth of a foal.
Cognitively neutral states of ‘non artificially’ encouraged locomotory movement, can include bolting/galloping after the initial running has begun, or stepping forwards during grazing to reach more pasture.
Cognitively neutral states of human encouraged locomotory movement, can include walking, trotting, cantering, etc consistently in a particular rhythm after being asked to do so without requiring rider aids to maintain this rhythm - commonly referred to as self carriage.
All of these states, occur as a result of a ‘command neuron’, whose role is to respond to a stimulus that results in the CPG ‘firing’ or ‘changing gears’ and beginning its rhythmical impulses.
Aids from a human rider driver or handler are a stimulus to trigger command neurons. The more infrequently these command neurons are encouraged to be triggered rd to ‘fire’ a nerve impulse, the more energy is required cognitively & physically to result in the activation of the central pattern generators.
The space between stimulus (human aid) and CPG activation is where stress occurs that can impact the horses state of wellbeing negatively. The less time spent here, the better life is for the horse fundamentally.
Self carriage, is about preparation and training, rather than obedience and responsiveness. It is the state of being, in which the horse benefits from the process of having been training correctly, past responsiveness. It is the stage at which the horse in its true cognitive, and physical nature begins to perhaps even benefit from training.
Yes, the process of CPG activity and their role in self carriage it is more complex than simply what I have communicated here regarding biology and neurons - but ultimately, the state of competency in which self carriage exists, in which the horse is no longer coping, responding, or attempting is where we should aim to maintain our horses in, the greater majority of the time.
Competency, leads to confidence. Confidence in the horse, for the horse leads to relaxation, health, and wellness.
~ Nancy
