Relieve Tension and Impress the Judges

This article identifies the two powers or forces that a rider has to constantly deal with, gravity and the physical power created by the horse. These two forces can flow through our bones usually in opposite directions at the same time. Here is an example from a recent clinic in Tehachapi, California: This FEI level rider was well aware of the force or pull in her hands from the horse's head and neck but could not get the feel of gravity flowing down the arms. When she pulled against the horses power (keeping her balance) with the muscles in the forearms and shoulders those muscles blocked the flow of gravity down the arms. This resulted in the horse not going forward freely and becoming increasingly tight in the neck and forehand, not to mention the exhaustion of the rider from holding against the power of the horse. These are NOT things we want to happen in front of the judges! When she removed the tension by balancing her bones and allowing the two forces to move freely it was a thing of beauty, something she would be proud for the judges to see!

IS THERE A CRACK IN YOUR SEAT? - Part 1

One of the most effective and efficient ways athletes can improve performance is by strengthening their foundation. For the equestrian, I believe that foundation is the body. More precisely: the body's ability to maintain structural alignment while joining with the motion of the horse. Structural alignment is achieved when the bones align in such a way that they carry the force of gravity down through the body while at the same time receiving the power of the horse up into the body without creating unnecessary tensions in your muscles. Tension is created when the motion of the horse pushes you out of structural alignment and the muscles around your joints tighten in an attempt to hold you in balance. This would not be a big problem if we let go of the tension when we return to structural alignment. To maintain this level of balance you must increase your body's sensitivity to and ability to absorb and redirect outside forces - namely your horse.
James

The Squeal of Joy and Tears of Gratitude

It happens in nearly every clinic someone squeals and someone cries.
Some squeals are with joy and excitement when a rider learns how to do something they already know how to do with less effort and more results. They squeal from the the feeling and conection with their horse.
Someone cries tears of gratitude and relief when they find answers or regain hope that they too will have that deeper relationship in the saddle with their horse.
It happened in Oklahoma when a friend, a high level rider, found magic in her canter by using her 'bellybutton out' on a circle that allowed her horse's back to lift and haunchs to engage like never before.
It happened in California when a rider learned the difference between a half halt and a half block on the outside rein that resulted in her PreSaintGeorge level horse softening, stretching and lengthing through it's back and neck like it was veteren Grandpre Master.
Tears flowed when a rider in LA felt the horses energy flowing up her spine to her head and used her lowerback for the first time ever to control the tempo of the walk.
Tears flow in Arizona (from everyone) when a disabled rider with no feeling from the bellybutton down, completely paralized in his waist and legs uses his breath to ask his horse to walk, walk faster, and halt successfully for the first time.
Man, that's why I love what I do!
James

Fear and the Gated Horse in Oklahoma

Another example of how when a rider learned to use her breath her horse magically changed under her:
This rider who has many years of experience with horses decided to get a gaited horse for its smoothness, which would make riding easer and more enjoyable for her as she got older and as the muscles of the body naturaly get weaker and a bit less responsive. The bond between her and her horse on the ground is a thing of beauty, love abounds. Her issues are all in the saddle because of her age and having had a fall in the past, the fear of falling again is constantly showing up in her mind and body.
In the saddle this fear of the mind is processed as tension and bracing in her body. When her breath is up in her chest her spine is ridgid and her lower back is held tight! It is important to remember that this state in her body is a solution to the fear of falling whether or not she would tell you she was afraid. This ridgidness not only drives her gated horse forward like a snowball rolling down hill, the speed increases and control is harder, so the tension builds. When this happens you can see the conection that they had on the ground is gone. To my eye it seems the horse is running from an unknown fear, the fear that is being transmited by the riders mind and body. The horse does not differentiate that the rider's fear is of falling, the horse only picks up the signal of fear. Oh yes, they mirror everything, good and bad.
As she practiced breathing deeply into her body, releasing her ridgidity and tension, the horse reacted by softening and slowing or calming in it's gate. By breathing deeply I mean she changed her breathing from no rhythm to rhythmic by breathing, into her abdomen, in for a 4 count and out for a 5 count. As she softened and found her rhythm and her horse mirrored her, her fear lessened, she softened as did her horse, and for these two this is the path to becoming one, mounted.
Questions? Ask me.
James

Help for a Massachucetts Eventer

Whether its transitions or calming or energizing your horse your breath is the Key.

Here are examples of how changing the breath changes riding from my last few clinics:

In Massachucetts, an event rider whose horse does well in cross country and jumping because of it's willingness to go forward has had real issues in dressage because her horse is hard to control. Prior to the clinic, her only tool to control her horse in the dressage ring was to hold (use force) against the foward movement by keeping the reins short , her back, shoulders and legs tight.
The tightness in her body transfered into her horses body and made their movements choppy and out of rhythm, resulting in not only lower scores but frustration which creates more tension in her body which transfers to her horse, and the cycle continues.
By learning to control and use her breath to influence and change the energy of her horse in cross country and jumping and as an aid to maintain rhythm and balance in the dressage ring, she was able to let go of the tension in her body--which released the tension in her horses body her position improved and her horse moved beautifully. They recieved a higher score and frustration was repaced with joy.
Questions? Ask me.
James