FORWARD:
adj. : Ready, Prompt, Eager.
One of the most made mistakes I see in riders is the lack of forward in their horse. Perhaps it is fear related, perhaps they feel as though things will happen too quickly to manage, or they may even believe they are not physically capable of riding a forward horse. But to tell you the truth, I think there is a confusion between a forward horse and a quick horse.
I'll be honest with you, I don't like riding a quick horse. They feel unorganized, unbalanced, choppy, and rushed. Overall, disconnected. These horses often lack in strength, training, and confidence. All things that can be fixed with proper training and riding. But, what if I told you, even a horse being held back in the bridle can be quick? What if I told you, a horse in a collected western jog can be forward?
Forward is not about speed, it is DRIVE and IMPULSION. With out forward a proper western pleasure horse can not make such effortless gait changes at such slow speeds, a hunter can't get it's self through a combination cleanly, and a dressage horse would never accomplish a flying lead change at X.
I am not going to talk about how to teach your horse to be forward today, rather I am just going to talk about how to RIDE a horse that is forward and how to embrace forward.
The first thing to remember is our horses can not be forward if we don't let them (remember talking about trust in the last entry?). Learning to feel comfortable on a forward horse, can be difficult. There often feels as if there is much more power than you have experienced before as they driving through their hind end more, and you may be concerned as to whether or not you can control that power. Well, here come the catch 22's again! In fact a forward horse is more tuned in to you and the work. They are less likely to be distracted, spook or shy. But, just like developing trust, I don't expect you to be comfortable riding a forward horse right away.
So, let's begin with a very simple exercise to get you comfortable, and allow your horse to feel you getting comfortable (as well as strengthen your mounts hind quarters and deep abdomen muscles). This is done at every gait (Yup, gaited horses, you can do this too) and uses your arena as a tool.
Begin at the walk, now as you approach the corner in to the long side of the arena as your horse for more walk, as much as you can with out breaking to a trot. BUT relax your elbow and shoulders, as your horse's head and neck action increases with the size of the walk, allow your hands to follow. ALSO, be sure to relax your lower back and really allow your hips to follow as well. DON'T PUSH! Simply allow your horse to move you. As you enter the corner to short end of the arena take in a deep breath and ask your horse to slow. Both of you relax as you work through the short end and as you pass to the long rail again ask for more walk and repeat. Do this several times around both directions. You will notice it is easier for you to follow one direction than it is to follow the other. NORMAL! None of us are 100% symmetrical, and slow precise work is what develops it.
I know, I know, once AGAIN this exercise seems dull and boring. Until you are in the saddle that is. While the simplicity of riding this walk exercise is clear when we read it, our bodies don't always do what we are trying to tell them to do. Nature and survival instincts tend to kick in. But I promise you, once you master this feel at the walk you will begin to notice a different horse under you; a horse that wants to be forward, because he knows he will not be (as accidental as it may be) punished for being forward. Then you can move in to doing this exercise at the trot, and eventually the canter.
Regardless of the gait, the key is to learn to be soft. Follow. Allow your mount to move beneath you.
Now, I know this is a very simplified version of forward. But everyone needs an introduction at some point, or even just a reminder. So long before you even THINK about collection, THINK FORWARD!
Do not fear FORWARD!
FORWARD IS YOUR FRIEND!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Let's talk about trust.
Trust.
If we want to be a successful rider, trust is a must have between horse and rider. Unfortunately I most often only hear about trust these days in regards to a horse trusting their rider. Well, that's all well and good and YES, important. But that isn't enough. Do YOU trust your mount?
When asking if you trust your mount, I want to know at the most basic level. Are you or are you not frightened of the horse you are sitting on. When you put your foot in the stirrup, does your fight or flight response begin to peek? Whether it is a mild amount or so intense that you need a pepp talk just to mount up this will affect your riding and continue to affect it until you develop trust in your mount.
The lack of trust may be from several different factors:
1. You are over horsed. Feeling as though you lack the skill and ability to communicate with your mount, and thus be the one in control.
2. You have had a fall or accident with this horse. Anytime we lose the ability to keep the horse between us and the ground it shakes our confidence and our trust in the animal that didn't stay there. Be it from taking a bad step or tripping over a fence or on the trail.
3. You have had a fall and bad experience from a different horse than you are currently riding, but tend to expect a similar experience from any horse you ride.
4.You want to ride, you love horses, but you are still uncertain how you are going to control an animal so much larger than you with such small bits of equipment...
5. Your mount has a dangerous habit (bucking, rearing, bolting, shying) that you are unable to fix. You are always on your guard waiting for the other hoof to drop.
These factors are just some broad strokes of what COULD be causing a rift in you trusting your mount. We are going to cover how to work on fixing that rift on 2 through 4.
Items 1 and 5 are two situations in which a rider needs to make hard choices. Such as, 'Should I continue owning/leasing this animal or should I find someone who can better handle it' 'Should I spend the money to have a professional trainer with the proper tools and knowledge address these issues'. Situations 1 and 5 are the most common situations in which a rider becomes injured, frightened, and many leave the sport.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, do NOT be ashamed to say "This is not the horse for me." Not every horse and rider combination is a safe one. It is better to be honest with yourself than to become injured because of your pride. Don't look on it as giving up if you have to move on from a horse that is too much horse, or dangerous. Realize you are giving the horse an opportunity to learn and grow from someone better equipped to deal with the issues.
Now, on to items 2,3,4. These are all normal situations that have happened to every one of us who have put our foot in the stirrup. (Remember, there are two kinds of riders, those who have fallen off, and those who haven't fallen off...yet) At some point we all have an issue keeping the horse between ourselves and the ground. But this becomes even more difficult if we don't trust the horse we are on. When we lack in trust, our fight or flight response kicks in, at any level. Our body is preparing to defend it's self, and part of that is by tensing muscles so they are ready to run or strike. This equals stiff riding, whether you realize it or not.
Now, TRUSTING your mount by no means equates to being complacent. A complacent rider is in just as much danger as a tense, stiff rider. Even the most trustworthy mount can take a bad step, a trusting rider will be able to remain balanced and allow their horse to correct it's self while a complacent and untrusting rider will often panic or stiffen and create a tougher situation for the horse to come back from resulting in a fall.
So HOW do we develop this trust with our horse? Well, like many things with our horses, we begin from the ground. Developing basic ground manners, asking our horse to work over obstacles from the ground and as we do these exercises, work towards lessening the amount of cue you need to give your mount. Not only does this increase your line of communication, but you will begin to become comfortable with the idea that you DO NOT need to micro manage your horse. The first moment you have of your horse politely leading alongside sans lead line, moving in sync with your halts, backs, and turns, you will feel a flutter in your chest as you realize the potential you two have as a pair when you can communicate clearly and allow one another to work.
Now, the ground work is really the easy part. But when you sit in the saddle, instinct is going to take over, and we must override that part of ourselves. Breath deeply and know that regardless of how much ground work and how many "trust exercises" you've done on the ground, when you mount up your horse can and will feel that anxiety. While each horse reacts differently to it, some will babysit and others may become anxious themselves, we need to know we are never going to ride our best or get the most out of our horse with that anxiety. We will be stiff, heavy in our hands, and often our seat. But if we develop the trust, we can soften and JUST RIDE!
So
1. TAKE YOUR TIME! The horse industry has become so rushed these days. Horses and people are in the show ring faster and faster, 60 days training (which is really a drop in the bucket) has become a standard. Many riders are brought along too quickly by instructors and miss out on the opportunity to develop the skills to trust their mount.
Walk, Walk, Walk. There is an old adage, if you can't do it at the walk, you can't do it at the trot, and so forth. Spend the time working on the walk. Walk circles, leg yields at the walk, post the walk, two point over ground poles at the walk.
I know, I know, this sounds boring. But, honestly, if you don't trust your horse yet, do you really want any extra excitement? The more you do this "boring" work the less intimidating it becomes and you will hone your skills and be able to find what mistakes you may be making at this slower pace. This may take days, or even a few weeks. Who cares? This is about YOU and your horse being successful together.
2. Realize that little victories are actually important ones
As riders we are bombarded with images of eventers flying over obstacles at Rolex, stadium jumpers clearing 5ft+ oxars, endurance riders clinging to their mounts' ears going up mountains on the Tevas. It is easy to get the feeling that what I did today isn't good enough. But point in fact, no matter what a rider's level, they all started in the same place, all faced the same issues in the saddle.
So, you know those silly obstacles your did your ground work over? Well, now take your time and ride them. Walk over those logs or poles, walk across that plywood, walk down in to that ditch. Do it over and over until, again, you can relax and allow your horse to do the work with out being micro managed. As you feel more confident and trust your mount, go ahead, pick up the pace. But remember, you are doing this for YOU, there is no set time frame or number of times to do the exercises before you move on.
3. Just let go.
This last bit requires a helper. Have your horse on a lunge line, tie those reins up under the throat latch, and ride on the line. Keep those hands on your hips and go through your gaits and realize, "I am in control because of how I communicate with my entire body. My horse isn't just listening to my hands. We are a team" I can't stress enough how much working on the line without reins reinforces this in a rider. And again, pick your pace and take your time.
As you work these exercises, as you become more confident in yourself, as you realize you can trust your horse, your body will naturally soften, your reaction times will become quicker if needed because you are more open and aware of your surroundings. But most of all, your horse will work better for you. If you are sitting on a baby sitter, as you show trust and confidence in them, you will begin seeing a whole new horse! You may find out you are sitting on more of an athlete than you realized, only they were holding back for your sake. If you are sitting on an anxious mount, you will notice they begin to relax and their trust in you will grow as well (it is one of those annoying catch 22's). All in all, you will grow as a team and a true partnership will begin to form. After all, isn't that what we are really in this for??
Jessica
If we want to be a successful rider, trust is a must have between horse and rider. Unfortunately I most often only hear about trust these days in regards to a horse trusting their rider. Well, that's all well and good and YES, important. But that isn't enough. Do YOU trust your mount?
When asking if you trust your mount, I want to know at the most basic level. Are you or are you not frightened of the horse you are sitting on. When you put your foot in the stirrup, does your fight or flight response begin to peek? Whether it is a mild amount or so intense that you need a pepp talk just to mount up this will affect your riding and continue to affect it until you develop trust in your mount.
The lack of trust may be from several different factors:
1. You are over horsed. Feeling as though you lack the skill and ability to communicate with your mount, and thus be the one in control.
2. You have had a fall or accident with this horse. Anytime we lose the ability to keep the horse between us and the ground it shakes our confidence and our trust in the animal that didn't stay there. Be it from taking a bad step or tripping over a fence or on the trail.
3. You have had a fall and bad experience from a different horse than you are currently riding, but tend to expect a similar experience from any horse you ride.
4.You want to ride, you love horses, but you are still uncertain how you are going to control an animal so much larger than you with such small bits of equipment...
5. Your mount has a dangerous habit (bucking, rearing, bolting, shying) that you are unable to fix. You are always on your guard waiting for the other hoof to drop.
These factors are just some broad strokes of what COULD be causing a rift in you trusting your mount. We are going to cover how to work on fixing that rift on 2 through 4.
Items 1 and 5 are two situations in which a rider needs to make hard choices. Such as, 'Should I continue owning/leasing this animal or should I find someone who can better handle it' 'Should I spend the money to have a professional trainer with the proper tools and knowledge address these issues'. Situations 1 and 5 are the most common situations in which a rider becomes injured, frightened, and many leave the sport.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, do NOT be ashamed to say "This is not the horse for me." Not every horse and rider combination is a safe one. It is better to be honest with yourself than to become injured because of your pride. Don't look on it as giving up if you have to move on from a horse that is too much horse, or dangerous. Realize you are giving the horse an opportunity to learn and grow from someone better equipped to deal with the issues.
Now, on to items 2,3,4. These are all normal situations that have happened to every one of us who have put our foot in the stirrup. (Remember, there are two kinds of riders, those who have fallen off, and those who haven't fallen off...yet) At some point we all have an issue keeping the horse between ourselves and the ground. But this becomes even more difficult if we don't trust the horse we are on. When we lack in trust, our fight or flight response kicks in, at any level. Our body is preparing to defend it's self, and part of that is by tensing muscles so they are ready to run or strike. This equals stiff riding, whether you realize it or not.
Now, TRUSTING your mount by no means equates to being complacent. A complacent rider is in just as much danger as a tense, stiff rider. Even the most trustworthy mount can take a bad step, a trusting rider will be able to remain balanced and allow their horse to correct it's self while a complacent and untrusting rider will often panic or stiffen and create a tougher situation for the horse to come back from resulting in a fall.
So HOW do we develop this trust with our horse? Well, like many things with our horses, we begin from the ground. Developing basic ground manners, asking our horse to work over obstacles from the ground and as we do these exercises, work towards lessening the amount of cue you need to give your mount. Not only does this increase your line of communication, but you will begin to become comfortable with the idea that you DO NOT need to micro manage your horse. The first moment you have of your horse politely leading alongside sans lead line, moving in sync with your halts, backs, and turns, you will feel a flutter in your chest as you realize the potential you two have as a pair when you can communicate clearly and allow one another to work.
Now, the ground work is really the easy part. But when you sit in the saddle, instinct is going to take over, and we must override that part of ourselves. Breath deeply and know that regardless of how much ground work and how many "trust exercises" you've done on the ground, when you mount up your horse can and will feel that anxiety. While each horse reacts differently to it, some will babysit and others may become anxious themselves, we need to know we are never going to ride our best or get the most out of our horse with that anxiety. We will be stiff, heavy in our hands, and often our seat. But if we develop the trust, we can soften and JUST RIDE!
So
1. TAKE YOUR TIME! The horse industry has become so rushed these days. Horses and people are in the show ring faster and faster, 60 days training (which is really a drop in the bucket) has become a standard. Many riders are brought along too quickly by instructors and miss out on the opportunity to develop the skills to trust their mount.
Walk, Walk, Walk. There is an old adage, if you can't do it at the walk, you can't do it at the trot, and so forth. Spend the time working on the walk. Walk circles, leg yields at the walk, post the walk, two point over ground poles at the walk.
I know, I know, this sounds boring. But, honestly, if you don't trust your horse yet, do you really want any extra excitement? The more you do this "boring" work the less intimidating it becomes and you will hone your skills and be able to find what mistakes you may be making at this slower pace. This may take days, or even a few weeks. Who cares? This is about YOU and your horse being successful together.
2. Realize that little victories are actually important ones
As riders we are bombarded with images of eventers flying over obstacles at Rolex, stadium jumpers clearing 5ft+ oxars, endurance riders clinging to their mounts' ears going up mountains on the Tevas. It is easy to get the feeling that what I did today isn't good enough. But point in fact, no matter what a rider's level, they all started in the same place, all faced the same issues in the saddle.
So, you know those silly obstacles your did your ground work over? Well, now take your time and ride them. Walk over those logs or poles, walk across that plywood, walk down in to that ditch. Do it over and over until, again, you can relax and allow your horse to do the work with out being micro managed. As you feel more confident and trust your mount, go ahead, pick up the pace. But remember, you are doing this for YOU, there is no set time frame or number of times to do the exercises before you move on.
3. Just let go.
This last bit requires a helper. Have your horse on a lunge line, tie those reins up under the throat latch, and ride on the line. Keep those hands on your hips and go through your gaits and realize, "I am in control because of how I communicate with my entire body. My horse isn't just listening to my hands. We are a team" I can't stress enough how much working on the line without reins reinforces this in a rider. And again, pick your pace and take your time.
As you work these exercises, as you become more confident in yourself, as you realize you can trust your horse, your body will naturally soften, your reaction times will become quicker if needed because you are more open and aware of your surroundings. But most of all, your horse will work better for you. If you are sitting on a baby sitter, as you show trust and confidence in them, you will begin seeing a whole new horse! You may find out you are sitting on more of an athlete than you realized, only they were holding back for your sake. If you are sitting on an anxious mount, you will notice they begin to relax and their trust in you will grow as well (it is one of those annoying catch 22's). All in all, you will grow as a team and a true partnership will begin to form. After all, isn't that what we are really in this for??
Jessica
 |
| Jessica and Aya Ab Rodger (2009 arabian stallion) |
Sunday, June 15, 2014
3 simple exercises to lengthen, soften, and stretch from your lumbar through your ankle (AKA drop those heels). You may even tone your buns.....
And so now begins the physical part of our HEELS DOWN discussion. Honestly, these three exercises are not difficult, they are low impact, and can be done any where, any time...depending on how crazy you do or do not want to seem. Personally, I do them after a nice hot shower when I am already relaxed. TMI?
ANYWAY!! Let us begin!
So, first things first BREATH!! Be sure to concentrate on breathing in and out as you do these. Release your breath each time you stretch and you will find you can do a tiny bit more. Our muscles need oxygen to work their best, the less your breath the faster you will tire out.
Exercise #1: Lumbar stretch.
This will actually stretch and soften from the lumbar, through the backs of the thighs, and behind the knees.
Stand feet shoulder width apart, legs straight. Now, break at the waist and fold your body down as if trying to touch your toes. DO NOT ROUND YOUR BACK! Keep your back flat.
As you lower, keep your weight even on the balls of your feet and your heels. Do not force yourself down, just relax your body and hang; allow your own body weight to stretch you down with each exhale. After three good deep breaths while in the stretch, slowly rise up (you may feel a little light headed at first, especially if you pop up like a jack in the box), take three deep breaths and repeat the stretch. Do this three times before moving on to the next.
If you can't get down very far, WORRY NOT! that is, after all WHY we are doing this work to begin with. The beauty of this is each time you do this, you will get a little softer. Before you know it, you will be able to really relax in to the stretch.
Exercise #2: Soft Squats
Let me start this one off by saying this is NOT intended for strengthening muscles for posting in any way as it targets the wrong muscles. This is intended as a stretch, HOWEVER it will tone the booty. ( there is a variation of this exercise intended for strengthening to ride the posting trot, but should not be done until this basic soft squat is mastered.)
AGAIN feet should width apart (are we seeing a pattern here?) Weight should be even between the ball of the foot and the heel (hmmm, more patterns). While keeping your back flat and hips beneath you (as if mounted), hands on hips, slowly lower yourself in to a squat. Go as low as you can but STOP when you feel your heels beginning to lift. This is the most important part of the stretch. Be sure to press your weight back in to your heels so you are bearing the weight evenly between heels and balls of feet and hold (remember to use your three deep breaths and sink a little deeper with each breath). Slowly rise up and repeat. The goal is to be able to drop all the way down while maintaining an even amount of weight in our heel and the ball of the foot.
This exercise has a SECONDARY purpose as well, this will help you develop the ability to find your center of gravity and move your weight in to your hips, lightening your upper body and having more strength and control coming from you core.
Exercise #2 Variation
You know those cheap balls at walmart they keep in the giant cages? Well, that will become your best friend. After you have mastered the basic exercise, place the ball between your thighs just above the knee and repeat the soft squat. It may not seem like much at first....but after a few reps of doing it CORRECTLY, you will feel it.
Exercise #3 The heel stretch.
Yup, here it is, the old standard. But, are you doing it right?
You know the drill, find a step, cinder block, grooming box, anything really and place the ball of your foot on there. Now, keep your other foot right at the base of your chosen step, keeping a deep bend in the knee of the leg your a stretching, sink your weight in to your heel. Relax that ankle and let that heel drop down. DON'T lose that bend in your knee though, otherwise you create a braced and stiff leg and we want soft and supple. Swap legs and repeat...oh, and BREATH.
Wait, just a moment...ALL of these exercises are done OUT of the saddle!
Yup, let's be honest for a moment, how many riders really get to ride more than twice a week? Most take lessons once a week, some have a half lease for one extra ride a week to prepare for shows. Others may have their own horse, but not the time they would like. While in saddle exercises are WONDERFUL, they will not realistically be enough for the average rider.
I am a firm believer one can improve in the saddle even while out of it. So, take a few moments every day and toss these exercises in before bedtime and see what comes of it.
If you are not completely satisfied, there is a money back guarantee...oh, wait, this is a blog, it's free....
Jessica
ANYWAY!! Let us begin!
So, first things first BREATH!! Be sure to concentrate on breathing in and out as you do these. Release your breath each time you stretch and you will find you can do a tiny bit more. Our muscles need oxygen to work their best, the less your breath the faster you will tire out.
Exercise #1: Lumbar stretch.
This will actually stretch and soften from the lumbar, through the backs of the thighs, and behind the knees.
Stand feet shoulder width apart, legs straight. Now, break at the waist and fold your body down as if trying to touch your toes. DO NOT ROUND YOUR BACK! Keep your back flat.
As you lower, keep your weight even on the balls of your feet and your heels. Do not force yourself down, just relax your body and hang; allow your own body weight to stretch you down with each exhale. After three good deep breaths while in the stretch, slowly rise up (you may feel a little light headed at first, especially if you pop up like a jack in the box), take three deep breaths and repeat the stretch. Do this three times before moving on to the next.
If you can't get down very far, WORRY NOT! that is, after all WHY we are doing this work to begin with. The beauty of this is each time you do this, you will get a little softer. Before you know it, you will be able to really relax in to the stretch.
Exercise #2: Soft Squats
Let me start this one off by saying this is NOT intended for strengthening muscles for posting in any way as it targets the wrong muscles. This is intended as a stretch, HOWEVER it will tone the booty. ( there is a variation of this exercise intended for strengthening to ride the posting trot, but should not be done until this basic soft squat is mastered.)
AGAIN feet should width apart (are we seeing a pattern here?) Weight should be even between the ball of the foot and the heel (hmmm, more patterns). While keeping your back flat and hips beneath you (as if mounted), hands on hips, slowly lower yourself in to a squat. Go as low as you can but STOP when you feel your heels beginning to lift. This is the most important part of the stretch. Be sure to press your weight back in to your heels so you are bearing the weight evenly between heels and balls of feet and hold (remember to use your three deep breaths and sink a little deeper with each breath). Slowly rise up and repeat. The goal is to be able to drop all the way down while maintaining an even amount of weight in our heel and the ball of the foot.
This exercise has a SECONDARY purpose as well, this will help you develop the ability to find your center of gravity and move your weight in to your hips, lightening your upper body and having more strength and control coming from you core.
Exercise #2 Variation
You know those cheap balls at walmart they keep in the giant cages? Well, that will become your best friend. After you have mastered the basic exercise, place the ball between your thighs just above the knee and repeat the soft squat. It may not seem like much at first....but after a few reps of doing it CORRECTLY, you will feel it.
Exercise #3 The heel stretch.
Yup, here it is, the old standard. But, are you doing it right?
You know the drill, find a step, cinder block, grooming box, anything really and place the ball of your foot on there. Now, keep your other foot right at the base of your chosen step, keeping a deep bend in the knee of the leg your a stretching, sink your weight in to your heel. Relax that ankle and let that heel drop down. DON'T lose that bend in your knee though, otherwise you create a braced and stiff leg and we want soft and supple. Swap legs and repeat...oh, and BREATH.
Wait, just a moment...ALL of these exercises are done OUT of the saddle!
Yup, let's be honest for a moment, how many riders really get to ride more than twice a week? Most take lessons once a week, some have a half lease for one extra ride a week to prepare for shows. Others may have their own horse, but not the time they would like. While in saddle exercises are WONDERFUL, they will not realistically be enough for the average rider.
I am a firm believer one can improve in the saddle even while out of it. So, take a few moments every day and toss these exercises in before bedtime and see what comes of it.
If you are not completely satisfied, there is a money back guarantee...oh, wait, this is a blog, it's free....
Jessica
Friday, June 13, 2014
HEELS DOWN! or Do what I mean not what I say!!!!
*note, this entry is written on the assumption the reader has a correct understanding of the posting trot. If not, no worries, there will be an entry addressing that soon.
You've all heard it. Over and over and over....HEELS DOWN! You've been told why, "So your foot doesn't slide through the stirrup", "It helps you balance" and my favorite "Because I said so!"
I am a guilty as the next trainer of yelling this phrase at the top of my lungs across the arena. But HEELS DOWN isn't all I am asking of you. It is, in fact, short hand for you to fix MANY other issues going on so that your heels can drop.
And so today we are going to talk about what I am REALLY asking for when I fall back to the old standard of "HEELS DOWN!!"
Let's start with the WHY of having our heels down. Our stirrups are a tool to help support the left over body weight not supported by our seat and thigh. Obviously we should be strong enough to work all our gaits with out stirrups, but let's be honest, those handy buggers really help keep the fatigue at bay by offering support. So, the short answer is, the heel in down because it is bearing weight. But in reality, it isn't quite so simple.
From here on out, I am going to refer to it as "dropping the heel", you will understand why shortly. Dropping the heel really begins all the way up in the upper body. Dropping the heel, is in fact, a byproduct of riding balanced. When we ride balanced we are aligned down the body: Shoulder/hip/heel. Our weight is settled in to our hips keeping our upper body light and able to follow our horse's center of gravity. Our joints are all relaxed and opening and closing softly following our horse's motion. Our seat bones or thighs (pending the gait) bear the weight and any excess drains down our leg and out the soles of our foot.
NOW, imagine yourself in the saddle, close your eyes and visualize it until you can feel yourself riding. Now imagine I snap my fingers and your horse *POOF* disappears! You drop to the ground. How will you land?
Falling forward?
If you find yourself landing this way, you are likely pushing too much weight on to the ball of the foot, depending on your stirrup too much and using it too push yourself out of the saddle. You likely find yourself "ducking" or "chasing" your horse over fences if you jump.
On your rear?
If you end up on your bum, you are likely trying SO HARD to force those HEELS DOWN you are driving your lower leg forward and taking away your base of support. You probably find your ride with your upper body too far down and forward while posting, this is your body trying to counter balance and find the center of gravity.
Flat on your feet?
If you are balanced you will land flat on your feet. Heels and balls of the foot hitting the ground so you can stand. Because in reality, when your foot is in the stirrup there is no more or less weight on either the heel or the ball of the foot. In fact, just like when you are standing on the ground, they share in carrying the weight.
WHY then is the heel lower? Simple physics, there is nothing under the heel to support it and so it will drop lower than the ball of the foot which is supported by the stirrup iron.
Got that? Ok, so HOW do we drop the heel? After all, didn't I just say up there under "On your rear" that if you push your heel down your will drive your lower leg out of position? YUP, I sure did. But, now that we are balanced we can start letting our joints do their jobs, bending and flexing. So, to allow our heels to drop, we need to stretch and soften our tendons and ligaments starting at our lumbar all the way through the ankle. THEN we need to accept the fact that if we relax the ankle joint and allow it to flex we are not going to break. PROMISE! The most difficult part about this is getting used to the feel of the ankle MOVING while we ride, the weird feeling of just letting go. But once you have that, you will be much more effective.
That's all their is to it, REALLY. Carry the weight equally, relax the ankle and let the unsupported heel fall in to position.
REMEMBER, when we ride we are ALWAYS moving, every joint is constantly adjusting. We are never perfectly still. It is our soft joints following our horses' movements that makes it seem as if we are not moving our selves.
"A Quiet Rider is a rider who is never still"
Now, like my green arabs, I'm going to put you in your stall to marinate on this for a day, then I will write up 3 specific exercises to help you soften your joints (as well as understand how they move together) and get you to Drop those Heels.
Jessica.
You've all heard it. Over and over and over....HEELS DOWN! You've been told why, "So your foot doesn't slide through the stirrup", "It helps you balance" and my favorite "Because I said so!"
I am a guilty as the next trainer of yelling this phrase at the top of my lungs across the arena. But HEELS DOWN isn't all I am asking of you. It is, in fact, short hand for you to fix MANY other issues going on so that your heels can drop.
And so today we are going to talk about what I am REALLY asking for when I fall back to the old standard of "HEELS DOWN!!"
Let's start with the WHY of having our heels down. Our stirrups are a tool to help support the left over body weight not supported by our seat and thigh. Obviously we should be strong enough to work all our gaits with out stirrups, but let's be honest, those handy buggers really help keep the fatigue at bay by offering support. So, the short answer is, the heel in down because it is bearing weight. But in reality, it isn't quite so simple.
From here on out, I am going to refer to it as "dropping the heel", you will understand why shortly. Dropping the heel really begins all the way up in the upper body. Dropping the heel, is in fact, a byproduct of riding balanced. When we ride balanced we are aligned down the body: Shoulder/hip/heel. Our weight is settled in to our hips keeping our upper body light and able to follow our horse's center of gravity. Our joints are all relaxed and opening and closing softly following our horse's motion. Our seat bones or thighs (pending the gait) bear the weight and any excess drains down our leg and out the soles of our foot.
NOW, imagine yourself in the saddle, close your eyes and visualize it until you can feel yourself riding. Now imagine I snap my fingers and your horse *POOF* disappears! You drop to the ground. How will you land?
Falling forward?
If you find yourself landing this way, you are likely pushing too much weight on to the ball of the foot, depending on your stirrup too much and using it too push yourself out of the saddle. You likely find yourself "ducking" or "chasing" your horse over fences if you jump.
On your rear?
If you end up on your bum, you are likely trying SO HARD to force those HEELS DOWN you are driving your lower leg forward and taking away your base of support. You probably find your ride with your upper body too far down and forward while posting, this is your body trying to counter balance and find the center of gravity.
Flat on your feet?
If you are balanced you will land flat on your feet. Heels and balls of the foot hitting the ground so you can stand. Because in reality, when your foot is in the stirrup there is no more or less weight on either the heel or the ball of the foot. In fact, just like when you are standing on the ground, they share in carrying the weight.
WHY then is the heel lower? Simple physics, there is nothing under the heel to support it and so it will drop lower than the ball of the foot which is supported by the stirrup iron.
Got that? Ok, so HOW do we drop the heel? After all, didn't I just say up there under "On your rear" that if you push your heel down your will drive your lower leg out of position? YUP, I sure did. But, now that we are balanced we can start letting our joints do their jobs, bending and flexing. So, to allow our heels to drop, we need to stretch and soften our tendons and ligaments starting at our lumbar all the way through the ankle. THEN we need to accept the fact that if we relax the ankle joint and allow it to flex we are not going to break. PROMISE! The most difficult part about this is getting used to the feel of the ankle MOVING while we ride, the weird feeling of just letting go. But once you have that, you will be much more effective.
That's all their is to it, REALLY. Carry the weight equally, relax the ankle and let the unsupported heel fall in to position.
REMEMBER, when we ride we are ALWAYS moving, every joint is constantly adjusting. We are never perfectly still. It is our soft joints following our horses' movements that makes it seem as if we are not moving our selves.
"A Quiet Rider is a rider who is never still"
Now, like my green arabs, I'm going to put you in your stall to marinate on this for a day, then I will write up 3 specific exercises to help you soften your joints (as well as understand how they move together) and get you to Drop those Heels.
Jessica.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Let's get started shall we?
I am often told by my students I should write down my sayings, methods, and explanations when it comes to riding. Sadly, I'm not certain I can organize my thoughts well enough to put them in to book form...Maybe if some one followed me to my lessons and recorded me, they could manage to make everything linear and easy to follow. Perhaps not. Regardless, allow me to introduce myself:
I began my riding career very young, I was a natural and because of that I learned many things later than I probably should have. At first, this my seem the opposite of what SHOULD have happened, but when you think about it, it is exactly correct. You see, each coach and trainer I rode with made the assumptions that I knew the theory and the mechanics of what I was doing, even though every thing I did came purely out of instinct. So, even though I could stick and look pretty and fairly correct, I was stuck on a plateau as I was lacking a true understanding of my sport and future career. Yes, I read many books on the subject, HOWEVER most books on riding are written under the assumption that one already understands the mechanics and the basic theory. Thus, when you only really know the very basics the rest becomes overwhelming and confusing. Not to mention, until you feel it, all the theory in the world will do nothing for your riding.
After high school I headed off to Lake Erie College for their equestrian program. At that time I had no desire to teach, I just wanted to ride and work horses. Back then ( I don't know if the program is still run the same way) incoming freshman spent their first day at the college held hostage at the equestrian center where we drew horses and rode on the flat, over fences, and worked a dressage test to be placed in the appropriate level riding class to start out. I was shocked to be informed I was immediately placed in the highest class allowed for a freshman, it was here I learned just how much my riding education suffered by being a natural rider.
I very easily could have been discouraged and beaten down my first week in my riding classes. I suddenly found myself confused and fighting my own body trying to accomplish new movements that came so easily to all the other riders, even those with less than desirable equitation. But, at the end of that first week, our Dean of Equestrian Studies, (who happened to be the instructor for our class) stopped me from leaving the arena with the rest of the class. I can't recall the exact questions she asked me, I just remember her telling me straight out "You are a gifted rider, but you know nothing about riding, nothing about how your horse works. We are going to fix that".
At first I wanted to be offended, I wanted to cry, but I also felt a wave of relief. I didn't have to hide my confusion anymore. I spent every chance I had after that standing in the center of the arena while other riders worked simple exercises while Sue broke them down for me and explained what was happening between horse and rider, why she made the corrections she made to riders and why she allowed some mistakes to slide; for now. Riding these exercises, after this, became more simple as I learned the whys and hows and things started to come easier to me.
I began to notice the riders that improved the least were those who thought they had the least to learn, even if they were very talented. I decided to never assume a coach/trainer was wrong in correcting me. I rode with every coach and trainer I could afford or weasel my way in to helping me out. I found a wealth of help in my senior class mates, some of who took me under their wing and allowed me rides on their own horses while giving me lessons.
My sites, however, were still firmly set on simply training, not teaching. That was until I took a summer job as a camp counselor and riding instructor at a YMCA camp in Maryland. I was quickly made counselor to the "Horse Master's" camp. A two week camp session for kids with more riding experience. They rode in two lessons a day as well as enjoying other camp activities. But before we started camp sessions, we were put through a two week training course through Certified Horsemanship Association concentrated on how to safely teach.
During this course I began to notice something, while we worked through the exercises and practiced teaching each other I wasn't just seeing the mistake being made, I was tracing the mistake back through the body to the source, basically seeing WHY the mistake was being made. I then spent an entire summer developing this skill with my campers. If a camper had trouble with heels down, I wanted to know why, where in the body was the problem starting, the heels were in fact a sign of a different, often more dangerous problem, and when that problem was found and fixed the heels would resolve themselves. This peeked my curiosity in kinesiology, AND I began to realize not only was I good at teaching riders....I truly enjoyed it.
Back to college and I found the riding becoming easier, I found myself offering up advice and analogies to my fellow students. I took dance and movement classes and found I could apply much of what I learned to my riding and teaching. I took any job I could that set me in a saddle, learned any discipline I could to broaden my knowledge base and fulfill my curiosity.
By the time I was a junior, I began to see a trend, the schools riding instructors encouraged me to coach incoming students during free rides. Along the way, I had set myself up to become an instructor.
Now, here is the rough spot. Regardless of how incredible my junior year was going, I became ill. I developed major chronic depressive disorder complicated by anxiety. Turns out, genetically, I was prone to it. I battled through, but to be honest it made school much too difficult. And so I never finished my senior year. And instead of going back one day, life happened, but I never stopped learning. I settled in to teaching and training in a barn near my fiance's home town. Then he joined the Marine Corps and I was swept away to Southern California where I now have a small lesson program and I am the trainer and go-to gal for a small arbian breeding outfit, Aya Arabians. We breed and train old school blood lines, and as a trainer it is the perfect relaxed environment where I am allowed to take my time and do what is best for each horse.
I'm 36 years old this June, a long way from riding my pony, Bucky, bareback in Pennsylvania. But I can honestly say, I have had 30 years experience, not just experienced the same year 30 times.
I hope this introduction gives you an idea of who I am. I hope to use this blog to address training, riding, and equitation issues. Whether they be a safety hazard, causing pain and discomfort to the rider, or pain and discomfort to the horse. I will give directions on exercises that can help with these things as well. What may surprise you is MANY of these exercises will be done out of the saddle. But, I will get in to that in a future entry.
Feel free to ask any questions, send video or pictures and I will address them in a future entry.
Until then, Just Ride.
Jessica.
I began my riding career very young, I was a natural and because of that I learned many things later than I probably should have. At first, this my seem the opposite of what SHOULD have happened, but when you think about it, it is exactly correct. You see, each coach and trainer I rode with made the assumptions that I knew the theory and the mechanics of what I was doing, even though every thing I did came purely out of instinct. So, even though I could stick and look pretty and fairly correct, I was stuck on a plateau as I was lacking a true understanding of my sport and future career. Yes, I read many books on the subject, HOWEVER most books on riding are written under the assumption that one already understands the mechanics and the basic theory. Thus, when you only really know the very basics the rest becomes overwhelming and confusing. Not to mention, until you feel it, all the theory in the world will do nothing for your riding.
After high school I headed off to Lake Erie College for their equestrian program. At that time I had no desire to teach, I just wanted to ride and work horses. Back then ( I don't know if the program is still run the same way) incoming freshman spent their first day at the college held hostage at the equestrian center where we drew horses and rode on the flat, over fences, and worked a dressage test to be placed in the appropriate level riding class to start out. I was shocked to be informed I was immediately placed in the highest class allowed for a freshman, it was here I learned just how much my riding education suffered by being a natural rider.
I very easily could have been discouraged and beaten down my first week in my riding classes. I suddenly found myself confused and fighting my own body trying to accomplish new movements that came so easily to all the other riders, even those with less than desirable equitation. But, at the end of that first week, our Dean of Equestrian Studies, (who happened to be the instructor for our class) stopped me from leaving the arena with the rest of the class. I can't recall the exact questions she asked me, I just remember her telling me straight out "You are a gifted rider, but you know nothing about riding, nothing about how your horse works. We are going to fix that".
At first I wanted to be offended, I wanted to cry, but I also felt a wave of relief. I didn't have to hide my confusion anymore. I spent every chance I had after that standing in the center of the arena while other riders worked simple exercises while Sue broke them down for me and explained what was happening between horse and rider, why she made the corrections she made to riders and why she allowed some mistakes to slide; for now. Riding these exercises, after this, became more simple as I learned the whys and hows and things started to come easier to me.
I began to notice the riders that improved the least were those who thought they had the least to learn, even if they were very talented. I decided to never assume a coach/trainer was wrong in correcting me. I rode with every coach and trainer I could afford or weasel my way in to helping me out. I found a wealth of help in my senior class mates, some of who took me under their wing and allowed me rides on their own horses while giving me lessons.
My sites, however, were still firmly set on simply training, not teaching. That was until I took a summer job as a camp counselor and riding instructor at a YMCA camp in Maryland. I was quickly made counselor to the "Horse Master's" camp. A two week camp session for kids with more riding experience. They rode in two lessons a day as well as enjoying other camp activities. But before we started camp sessions, we were put through a two week training course through Certified Horsemanship Association concentrated on how to safely teach.
During this course I began to notice something, while we worked through the exercises and practiced teaching each other I wasn't just seeing the mistake being made, I was tracing the mistake back through the body to the source, basically seeing WHY the mistake was being made. I then spent an entire summer developing this skill with my campers. If a camper had trouble with heels down, I wanted to know why, where in the body was the problem starting, the heels were in fact a sign of a different, often more dangerous problem, and when that problem was found and fixed the heels would resolve themselves. This peeked my curiosity in kinesiology, AND I began to realize not only was I good at teaching riders....I truly enjoyed it.
Back to college and I found the riding becoming easier, I found myself offering up advice and analogies to my fellow students. I took dance and movement classes and found I could apply much of what I learned to my riding and teaching. I took any job I could that set me in a saddle, learned any discipline I could to broaden my knowledge base and fulfill my curiosity.
By the time I was a junior, I began to see a trend, the schools riding instructors encouraged me to coach incoming students during free rides. Along the way, I had set myself up to become an instructor.
Now, here is the rough spot. Regardless of how incredible my junior year was going, I became ill. I developed major chronic depressive disorder complicated by anxiety. Turns out, genetically, I was prone to it. I battled through, but to be honest it made school much too difficult. And so I never finished my senior year. And instead of going back one day, life happened, but I never stopped learning. I settled in to teaching and training in a barn near my fiance's home town. Then he joined the Marine Corps and I was swept away to Southern California where I now have a small lesson program and I am the trainer and go-to gal for a small arbian breeding outfit, Aya Arabians. We breed and train old school blood lines, and as a trainer it is the perfect relaxed environment where I am allowed to take my time and do what is best for each horse.
I'm 36 years old this June, a long way from riding my pony, Bucky, bareback in Pennsylvania. But I can honestly say, I have had 30 years experience, not just experienced the same year 30 times.
I hope this introduction gives you an idea of who I am. I hope to use this blog to address training, riding, and equitation issues. Whether they be a safety hazard, causing pain and discomfort to the rider, or pain and discomfort to the horse. I will give directions on exercises that can help with these things as well. What may surprise you is MANY of these exercises will be done out of the saddle. But, I will get in to that in a future entry.
Feel free to ask any questions, send video or pictures and I will address them in a future entry.
Until then, Just Ride.
Jessica.
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