In high-level sports, the line between human and equine performance is becoming increasingly blurred thanks to new technologies and cross-disciplinary methodologies.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Matthew Taylor, an Australian strength and conditioning coach who recently completed the Essentials and Advanced programs at Arioneo Institute. He shared his background, impressions of the training, and vision of the synergy between human and equine performance.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Matthew Taylor, I live on the Gold Coast in Australia. I have been working for eight years as a strength and conditioning coach in Australian football. I have a strong interest in horse racing and wondered whether my skills in human performance could be transferred to equine performance in horse racing.
How did you discover the Essentials program at Arioneo Institute?
I had been following the Equimetre system for a while, as a horse owner, and I wanted to understand how my trainers were using it. I contacted Arioneo to learn more about the system and how it differed from what we use with humans.
Mike from Arioneo then told me about the training programs, and I started with the Essentials program before moving on to the Advanced. I was very impressed by the quality and depth of the content.
What motivated you to take a program focused on equine performance?
I have always been fascinated by the possibility of applying research on human performance to horses. There is a lot of veterinary and academic research on horse racing, but I was curious to see if my knowledge could be transferred. The Arioneo Institute program seemed perfectly suited for learning how to transfer my skills to equine performance.
In your opinion, what are the strengths of the Essentials and Advanced programs? Do they complement each other?
The Essentials program stands out for the clarity of its fundamentals and provides an excellent framework for those, like me, who do not come from the horse racing world. It provides a good base of language, terminology, and anatomical and physiological context, which gave me confidence to approach the Advanced one.
The latter allowed me to deepen my knowledge and gain a global, balanced, and comprehensive view of race performance.
The two programs are very complementary. For beginners, Essentials is ideal, while industry professionals can go straight to Advanced.
Would you recommend the Essentials program to beginners?
Yes, I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to start in the field of equine performance.
Is there a concept or skill that particularly stood out to you in the programs?
I really appreciated the “flash analysis” and the way Arioneo recommends reporting data. The balance between immediate feedback and objectivity in analysing the horse’s performance is very relevant. The tools and frameworks provided allow you to be analytical and objective, which is essential to have an impact with trainers.
Can you give a concrete example of the positive impact of the programs on your practice?
A concrete example would be learning about the key parameters and how Arioneo differentiates them: fitness, locomotion, and speed. This gave me great clarity on what to prioritise and analyse in training and race performance.
If you had to associate one or two words with each program, which would you choose?
For Essentials: practicality and simplicity.
For Advanced: complete and well-balanced.
Did the focus on well-being and performance stand out to you?
Yes, this really resonated with my experience in human performance. Athlete availability is paramount, and this is reflected in the analysis of the horse’s training and performance. Understanding variations in heart rate and locomotion helps detect potential health risks for the horse, which is fundamental for performance and well-being.
What are your current and future professional projects?
I am currently conducting research on key performance markers in football, especially academy players and their transition to the top level. I would like to transfer this approach to equine performance by developing a high-performance data system for horse racing to identify short, medium, and long-term trends and optimise the training and preparation of horses.
Do you think some methods or tools from human athletes can be adapted to horses, and vice versa?
Yes, there is a lot to learn from both fields. Exposure to these two worlds keeps your mind open and fosters innovation.
For example, measuring internal training load via heart rate and locomotion analysis is better applied in the equine sector, but is gaining ground with humans. I am excited to continue combining these approaches to improve practices in both areas.
Do you have anything to add?
I would like to say that I sincerely enjoyed both programs. The Advanced program was particularly comprehensive and detailed, meeting all my expectations. It reinforced my motivation to work in equine performance.
For those who want to learn more about the Essentials & Advanced programs and discover how they can enrich their career, please visit the dedicated program page.
Contact:
📧 matthewtaylor10@hotmail.com
🌐 www.linkedin.com/in/matthewtaylor9/
Keywords: Arioneo Institute, essentials, human, performance, advanced, program, training, equine data analyst, equine performance analyst, equine sports science, equine training program, equine learning, equine careers, equine profession, Equimetre, data analyst, well-being, welfare
📸 Photo : www.linkedin.com/in/matthewtaylor9/