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Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1238
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 5:11 pm: |   |
I am a rein balancer and don't know how to quit! I have been working on this for 2 yrs. and just can't seem to quit. Hank hates it and will show his displeasure...don't blame him.
I ride him both english and western. I have taken lessons and actually one thing that helped me was jumping. I KNEW I couldn't snag the mouth then and concentrated very hard not to.
Today I decided to try a curb bit on him for some refinement, He has never had a curb on before and I have managed to keep him very soft mouthed somehow. He was very good until I started balancing on the reins again! He tossed his head and said quit it! I quit and he was very good.
How can I kick this habit. |
Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman
Post Number: 38
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 5:38 pm: | |
Hi Diane,
Good for you admitting to this vice!
It would be helpful to know whether it comes from nervousness, lack of an independent seat, or both.
The fix is lunge line lessons w/o reins. Put your hands on your thighs at first, then try resting them on the cantle for up and down transitions.
For normal riding, attach a bucking strap through your D-rings (or rig something, anything-- a rope on the horn). Hook your thumbs through it. This will also keep you from working backwards with your hands. The objective is to have you use the strap as a "security grab" rather than your horse's mouth. But it's better to retrain yourself to get security and control from your seat and balance. The strap is just a transition trick, where lungeing isn't an option.
Make sure, btw, that you aren't resting the weight of your forearms on the reins. The way to identify and correct this (common) habit is to run the rein through the top of your hand, rather than the bottom. It's amazing how this small change can alter a rider and a horse.
In my own (not godlike) experience, these ingrained habits need a pretty aggressive approach to eliminate. Sounds like you and your horse are both ready though. Good luck! |
Jennifer Abbott
Member
Username: 1roper
Post Number: 9
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 5:47 pm: | |
I would tend to agree with the above poster, however, I'd go one step further, and say that bareback on the lungeline would be even better. The problem is that you're using your hands, and hence your horse's mouth, for balance. Learning to really use your quads, groin, and hamstrings for balance, and getting stable through your core will help with the hand issue. I would say you need to get lessons from someone that can put you on the lungeline and *let* you know when you lose your three point position, or when you get your body out of whack. Realize, that you didn't get this way overnight, and it's not going to get undone overnight either.
I give lots of lessons, and this is one of the places where people have THE most trouble.
Good luck! |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1239
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 6:03 pm: | |
Thanks Elizabeth, I don't know what causes me to do this. I have done the louge line thing and do fine.
I knew this problem existed so I have been riding Hank in a side pull so as not to "rip" on his mouth.
Once I thought I had it under control we went back into a o ring snaffle. Hank is VERY well trained and as my trainer said demands you ride correctly.
He can make that horse look so good!
I on the other hand am not that well trained, and have actually brought the poor guy down a notch with this rein balancing, I also lean more than I should! which could be part of the problem.
When I rode him with the curb I kept the halter and lead on just in case, I did have to use that a couple times, because I wasn't trusting my hands.
The rein thru the top of the hand sounds like something to try!
The funny thing is some days I am right on and he is wonderful...I just am not consistent at all. Thanks |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1240
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 6:15 pm: | |
Jennifer you are probably right too. The trainer said I NEED to learn to loosen my hip. We worked for mos. on this. At that time Hank did scare me and I was very tense, we have worked thru those issues, he does not scare me anymore. I am still tight thru the hip sometimes tho. When I try to "relax my hip" he works much better and I don't "snag" the mouth so much., but then I am "slumped" over?
I have rode bareback a good part of my life and I don't think it is my balance, even the trainer said I CAN SIT a horse well. |
Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman
Post Number: 39
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 6:28 pm: | |
Hi Diane,
Sometimes it's easier to focus on getting right instead of figuring out why you're going wrong. Leaning is a big problem too-- it will pitch the horse off balance, and may well make the grabbing worse.
I still think a lunge line is the way to go. Back to basics! It may also help to have someone videotape you riding. It's just amazing what we can see in ourselves that we may not feel (or that may feel normal).
As a sidenote, I would not suggest riding in a curb until this problem is solved. While it's tempting to try to move forward and work this problem around the edges, it's likely to make trouble for your horse and confirm this habit even more deeply. Sounds like refinement will come when your position is more consistently correct. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1241
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 6:41 pm: | |
Thanks I am not going to ride him in the curb, it was just an experiment. I did have someone video tape me and goodness, my hip is VERY tight....not bareback tho. My bad habits seem much worse in a saddle.
I Think I am aware of my problems...just can't solve them for some reason! With Hank going thru his lameness issues we haven't worked a lot lately. Back to basics I will go....AGAIN Thanks |
katrina
Member
Username: kthorse
Post Number: 928
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 6:45 pm: | |
Oh I totally recommend Clinton Anderson's riding with confidence you will never again use your reins for balance as you will trust your horse so much you don't even need them. Using your reins is not a balance issue unless you are a true beginner and this is not the case with you. Its a fear issue.Even if your not scared you don't trust your body to behave. Can you drop your reins and make your horse go where you want with your seat? You don't need reins to ride a horse. I really don't think its balance I think its a security thing. The reason your trainer says loosen your hip is because you are tense and admit it or not your brain reminds you of tense even if you think your not our body's , are amazing. If You don't believe me about the tapes (i would guarantee them if I sold them). Then I would use imagination, Before you go to sleep at night , every time you think about riding imagine yourself in perfect harmony having the perfect ride you and your horse are one. when you ride think about your perfect ride you had in your head. Believe me its works.
PS I lent my Clinton tapes to riders that have been riding 20 plus years and they are hooked. |
Alden Chamberlain
Member
Username: alden
Post Number: 457
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 6:46 pm: | |
Ditto with Elizabeth, no curb bits until you're fixed  That just isn't fair to the horse.
Another way that may help would be to ride with just a rope halter and lead line. Don't tie the loose end into the halter, basically the line is just to bend and stop the horse if you get into trouble. Although a well trained horse will neck rein with one line
Now ride in a round pen or arena
Good day,
Alden |
katrina
Member
Username: kthorse
Post Number: 929
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 6:55 pm: | |
Another thought there are music tapes that dressage riders use to get your hips with the beat. Fun, its fun to ride it should never be work if it is you are tense. Sing when you ride. I did that when mine was a 4 year old basket case. I now can ride him like an old police horse thru traffic or anywhere. Still havent gotten the galloping with other horses down pat but I will get there. I think you are better than you give yourself credit for. Sometimes instructers tend to make you feel um less than good and more nervous . Been there done that. |
Melissa Boschwitz
Member
Username: amara
Post Number: 372
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:20 pm: | |
the only thing i might add to everyone else's great ideas is to ride with colored reins- the "rainbow" reins.. they will make it very easy to see that you are tightening up on the reins, esp. if you can keep your hands "positioned" properly...
you might want to check to make sure that your saddle really fits you right... if the twist is too wide and the saddle doesnt fit you properly it can cause you too tighten up, especially since you say you dont have this problem bareback... maybe try a few different saddles to see if this is the case... i dont know how many times i've had riders with various position problems that other instructors had tried to fix that were fixed by just a change in saddle...even when the other saddle "appeared" to fit just fine...
good luck with everything... having identified the problem is the first step in conquering it.. you'll be fine... |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1242
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:32 pm: | |
Katrina Yes that is the odd thing, I can ride Hank bridleless (in an arena) and do a barrel pattern at a trot...just with leg and body position. We really do trust each other. I think I mentioned before he is a level 2 Parelli horse...very sensitive. When his training ended he was doing self carriage with out a bit. Ummm I have kind of ruined that, but we are getting it back. Our lateral work is good. He leg yields wonderfully.
Alden he bends to a stop with halter and rope, I can ride him anywhere with just a halter and rope and maybe that is a big part of my problem, I really haven't rode him with a bit a lot...trying to develop a soft hand. It has helped a lot but I just can't work thru being "soft" all the time.
That was the trainers biggest instruction, he was always yelling RELAX your hip AND SOFTEN. I worked for this trainer, he is VERY good and gives clinics around the midwest. He helped me alot and loved Hank. He did not make me nervous. |
Gwen Robison
Member
Username: gwen
Post Number: 485
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:33 pm: | |
One thing that helps me when I get "stuck" over him (as my trainer puts it), is to look up. I mean really look up. Pick a spot 50 feet ahead of you and think, "ride to that spot". Go to your instincts and use your sense of feel to "ride to that spot". It really helps me to just use my aids the right way and get "unstuck". I am not sure if I explained that well enough. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1243
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:38 pm: | |
Melissa I have been wondering about the saddle, the seat is too big for me. I know my husband wouldn't let me get a new one at this time. I have a saddle with a smaller seat that fits me but not the horse. |
Fran C
Member
Username: canter
Post Number: 1133
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:44 pm: | |
Hi Diane,
Going back to the lunge line is always a good idea. I would add that if you feel your hips are tight, add some exercises on/off the lunge such as these, first at walk, then trot then canter:
~While in the saddle, peddle your legs almost as if you are riding a bike. Concentrate on not just bringing your knee up, but swinging your whole leg around from the hip
~Swing you legs back and forth, loosely, from the hip
~Pull your legs, from the upper thigh/hip, as far off the horse as you can, as if someone had hold of each foot and was pulling you in two
I do these as I'm walking around at the beginning of our warm up, while on a long rein. They not only loosen up my hips but really deepen my seat. If I feel I start to tighten up during the ride, I'll add them in during trot or canter. But, always when I am on a loose rein, otherwise it's easy to fall back on hanging on the rein as you try to balance during the stretches. Lunge line is perfect for these because you can always hang onto the saddle, particularly when first trying them. |
katrina
Member
Username: kthorse
Post Number: 930
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:47 pm: | |
Diane, you haven't ruined anything. Dont even think like that, you are great. We as horse lovers always have moments of self doubt that is what keeps us learning. Doesnt matter if you have ridden 1 year or 50 we are always learning. I dont think you use the reins as much as you say or your horse would react. Does he? Mine would let me go flying he is such a great instructor talk about being careful to not do the wrong thing? |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1244
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:47 pm: | |
Gwen you hit another problem, on a circle I do look down, I think that is why I fall in. The trainer said when he first started riding he had long hair and tied it to his collar to keep his head up....that guy is such a balanced,light rider I use to watch him for hours in his training sessions amazed. |
Melissa Boschwitz
Member
Username: amara
Post Number: 373
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:58 pm: | |
diane,
when you ride in the saddle that fits you do you have the same problem? if no, can you get a saddle fitter out to get the saddle to fit, or pad it if its not too bad? how about selling the saddle that doesnt fit and using that money to buy a saddle that fits you and the horse... or, failing that, selling the husband?..*LOL*
if you dont have the problem bareback but you do have it under saddle than i would look to the saddle first... i'm not saying that lunge lessons and all the other ideas arent great and wont help you, but you might be pounding on a brick wall with a spork... you'll eventually get thru but it will take longer...
btw-to me, any trainer that yells "relax your hip and soften" will only tense you up.. telling/yelling at you to do something doesnt get it done... showing you how to do it does...
good luck... |
Melissa Boschwitz
Member
Username: amara
Post Number: 374
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 7:59 pm: | |
and one other thing diane
maybe you need to stop worrying and just ride!!! |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1245
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 8:00 pm: | |
Fran I don't have anyone around here to run the luge line. I do that when I ride bareback, maybe that's why we don't have as much of a problem then.
It would seem I need to work on relaxing hip, keeping head up, colored reins...good idea. and maybe my hands will soften!
One more question that may seem dumb, but are your shoulders suppose to be back? One lady I know always says I need to put my shoulders back, but that seems to tighten my body..and she always looks tense on her horse. The trainer I worked for never had his shoulders back...just what I would call relaxed. He always wins in the shows. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1246
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 8:13 pm: | |
Melissa we do just ride and have quite a bit of fun, but I like to work on this stuff and Hank is just so good at it, it is fun! I don't worry about it, we will never show, I just find it very interesting stuff. I never liked arena work until Hank, but boy when you get that collected canter, half pass, counter canter, yes we have done that well! I WANT to do one tempis with him...He's capable(once I get those feet under control) and get him back in shape. and my hands back under control |
Melissa Boschwitz
Member
Username: amara
Post Number: 375
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 8:30 pm: | |
Diane, there are no dumb questions!
ideally your shoulders should be in line with your head, hips and heels...
this will allow the muscles in your spine to be relaxed, which allows you to keep everything relaxed (if you so choose)... think of everything like building blocks that balance on top of each other... get one out of line and the muscles have to tense up to keep you from toppling over!..
they should not be tensed or forced back, just allowed to rest in balance...if you feel like they are dragging you forward my favorite imagery is to feel like my upper arms are hanging down behind me... this gets my elbows back, which gets my shoulder in the correct position, but keeps me very loose...
good luck... i think you'll be fine |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: hwood
Post Number: 2132
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 8:31 pm: | |
Diane . . . I just got home and checked my INBOX and thought that surely there must be a problem with the HA site as there are about 20 e-mails in a row about "Balancing off the Reins!"
Your 8:00 post took the words out of my mouth. We balance off the reins when we are insecure, and we are insecure if we feel we are going to lose balance, and we feel that we are going to lose balance if our shoulders are forward and our hips are locked (unless we have very strong thighs and knees). Looking down puts your shoulders forward, even the slightest bit.
I do recommend that you get someone to video tape you. Also, when on the longe line, I would ask that your reins be taken away (not off the horse as I know of a friend who was seriously injured while being longed by a very competent trainer . . . She didn't have any bridle on the horse, and the horse spooked and took off dragging the trainer and galloped full speed around the indoor arena) so keep your bridle on the horse in case you have a need for more control, but close your eyes, drop your stirrups or go bareback and hold your arms out to the side at shoulder level . . . like an airplane . . . and just walk . . . See if you can do all the gaits with your arms out . . . It will help keep your shoulders back and your weight over your seatbones. At the canter, you even want your shoulders behind your hips so your hips can lead and follow the horse's movement. It will take lots of practice, but maybe not as much as you think if you already know how to ride bareback. My guess is that you ride bareback, but maybe hunch forward at the faster gaits and really use your knees and thighs rather than be like a "Weeble" and balance on your seat.
I tell my students, "Weebles Wobble, but they don't fall down" and for them to pretend that their seats are full of sand. When we lean forward we are taking our tail out of the saddle, and if we are doing it for a purpose, such as jumping or racing, that's different, but for most riding, we need to keep our seats down in the saddle and follow the horse's movement with our hips. That's when we really seem to be ONE with the horse . . . when our lower body can move freely and follow the horse's movement. |
Aileen
Member
Username: sunny66
Post Number: 1929
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 8:32 pm: | |
I'm always being told "shoulders back/down/relaxed." Here's a quote for you... I try to recite it before I ride, but usually I forget by the time I get in the saddle! I'm hoping I'll have a chance to get to this...
"Deepest, flat knee, low heel, and a bottom that never left the saddle, always elastically flexed abdominal and back muscles, and gently swinging hips with upright head carriage and elastically absorbing shoulders, elbows, and wrists achieved such a steady, closed, elastic contact between horse and rider that a yielding of the poll and back was the automatic consequence."
(Ein Reiterleben, 1957, 66, translation: TR) |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1247
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 8:47 pm: | |
Gees Aileen that quote describes exactly how my trainer rides! Beauty in motion, and easier said than done.
Holly I think you are right I do use my thighs...not knees tho. Unfortunately I don't have access to this trainer anymore and no one for the lunge line. When I was at the trainers we did do the exercises you described. The trainer always said I have to much of a driving seat and tend to get ahead of the horse. He also said shoulders and elbows should be like rubber bands going with the horse... here is where my problem lies! Cripes I have a lot to work on |
Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1
Post Number: 1327
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 9:08 pm: | |
I think it's from Centered Riding that Sally Swift says hold the reins like you are holding 2 baby birds. Hold too tight, their little heads will pop right off!! (those are my words, don't think she says that in the book..or does she?) Too loose, and the birds fly away.
If your horse responds to neck reining, and your weight shifts and leg aids, I would ride in an arena or round pen, and lay the reins on the saddle. You can easily reach down and grab one if you get in trouble. Then, RELAX! Sing, hum, do the things suggested above like pedal your feet and all those things.
At the walk, relax and see how loose you can get. Feel him swinging under you, see if you can feel which foot is off the ground. At this point, don't worry about steering. Can you stop, and go, no reins? I bet you can! With body shifts, and letting your breath out to stop. Lift your energy up and ask for a back, shift your weight back. It's really neat to back a horse, no reins.
I think the hardest thing is to tell someone DON't BRACE UP. Your hands, your body...because the minute you think about it, you do just what you are trying not to do.
I think once you feel all the softness in Hank, and he relaxes you will relax. Then, only then, pick up the reins. Keep them "loopy soft". You may find it easier to ride first with one hand, I find that more relaxing. It's easy to get the other hand up there in a second if needed.
BTW, I don't think I could ever learn something about riding with someone telling my directions. I have to feel it, visualize it.
Just be ONE with the HORSE. Trust him. He'll trust you then.
I know, easy to say all this, hard to do. YOU will do it though!
I think from your last post, you are trying to hard to remember all the technique. Just sit and feel the horse move. Maybe for a week just do that at the walk.
Good luck, keep us posted what helped. I am trying to teach my husband there is more to riding than boots and reins. |
Aileen
Member
Username: sunny66
Post Number: 1930
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 9:12 pm: | |
Here's another one I found in the August Dressage Today:
Marja Guercin Riding with The Maestro Nuno Oliveria
"If you ride in the academic (impeccable) position, the horse will naturally fall into collection. Hand and leg aids are secret. Close your fingers. Push your waist forward. Be light on your horse. Move the button of your jacket toward your hands. Legs and shoulders back. If your shoulders are stiff, your hands will be, also. Relax the waist, be light in the hands and follow. Keep legs soft but close to the horse...”
You have wonderful input here and I'm learning from this thread too just sharing some quotes that help me |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: hwood
Post Number: 2133
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 9:14 pm: | |
Like Melissa says . . . don't think so much about it. Don't think, "I have so much to work on." Trust your balance on the horse, as Angie says.
A good exercise for you might also be to have someone blindfold you and bridle you up with a bit in your mouth (or resting on the space between your thumbs and forefingers, and have someone else behind you being the rider. This will help you "be Hank" for awhile.
Did you ever take ballet or gymnastics? I can always tell a beginner student who has had dance or gymnastics . . . or is a downhill skier . . . Their bodies "know" how to find that perfect balance and trust the horse's movement. You might also rry some balancing exercises. Standing on one leg, walking a balance beam, exercising on a big exercise ball. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1248
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 9:24 pm: | |
Angie We CAN stop, back, turn with no reins! Put those reins in my hand and like you said brace up.
When we start our arena work I do walk around with one hand reins looped, stop, start, back...wonderful. I too am better at watching than taking directions, I learned alot more watching lessons than taking them. When we are trail riding we have no problems for the most part. It's the circles. Who would have thought a "pretty" canter circle could be so complicated! I have read centered riding and picked up some good tips in there. Hank doesn't get tense until I start fussing with those darn reins. I do trust him. I think some of this stems from my childhood of riding hard mouthed ponies. Hank is So soft mouthed and sensitive to aids that it makes it hard for me, don't get me wrong I am loving learning how to ride soft, it's quite an awakening. |
Dennis Taylor
Member
Username: dtranch
Post Number: 508
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 9:39 pm: | |
Diane .. the first thing you need to do is quit thinking about the wrong way and focus on what you know is right.The more you think of what you are doing wrong, the more you will do it wrong. Instead of thinking "don't be so tense" think "man I am relaxed."
Work on your seat and relaxing your legs. Leaning on the reins is usually a result of being too tight in the saddle and not moving with the horse. Practice first at a walk moving your legs in unison with your horses legs. Then move up to the trot and do the same thing .. kind of dance with your horse, if you will.
Finally, I like to ride with the reins coming up from the bottom of my hands and hold them in my thumb and index finger tips only. Then, you are only allowed to move the reins with your ring and pinkie fingers.
You are getting a lot of good advice from all above .. just keep practicing and thinking positive.
DT |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1249
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 10:02 pm: | |
Thanks for all the ideas. I can't wait to try them.
Aileen love those quotes...so true.
Dennis I probably am focusing on doing the wrong things...I will think positive, I do know this stuff... just having a hard time implementing it, and definitely needed some reminders
Holly my job as meter reader produces more balancing acts than anyone could ever imagine! I did do gymnastics many moons ago.
All my horse friends ride by the reins and have a hard time understanding what I am trying to accomplish. Until they experience a truly soft horse, they don't know what they are missing. I hope Hanks feet hold together I can''t wait to get started again. Thanks
  |
Aileen
Member
Username: sunny66
Post Number: 1931
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 10:05 pm: | |
Just one last comment before I just read because everyone else is right... I am notorious for thinking to much when I ride... but re: Holly's comment on the blindfold, I tried just closing my eyes for a few strides at a time, cuz I was chicken to put a blindfold on, you will be amazed at the feeling |
Leilani
Member
Username: leilani
Post Number: 319
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 10:21 pm: | |
"Keep a leg on each side and yer mind in the middle" Don't know where I heard this, but it's not from me. I use it a lot when I get in a fuzz. |
Leilani
Member
Username: leilani
Post Number: 321
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 1:01 am: | |
Ok, found the source. Mark Rashid "Horsemanship Through Life", pg. 139. Leilani
PS Loved this book. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1250
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 6:36 am: | |
Leilani, I read Mark Rashids "considering the horse" I really enjoyed that book it was very entertaining and quite insightful. I will have to look into the book you mention. |
katrina
Member
Username: kthorse
Post Number: 931
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 6:44 am: | |
Another tip for loosening the hips. When in the saddle swing both legs way forward then out to the side it will open your hips and put you deep in the saddle and put you in the correct position.. Then wrap your whole leg gently around your horse and keep them there even your ankle. Dont worry about heels down at this time, just gently hug your horse with your whole legs as he walks your hips cant close if your whole leg is gently around the horse dont even worry if your knees are slightly off the saddle at this time. This is just an exersise to put you in motion with your horse. Worring about heels down can make you tense never push your heels down ever, bring your toes up instead this is after you have mastered the open hips. Do this walking holding the buckle. It should be very easy if you can ride bareback. I have a better seat bareback also. I do this exersise everytime I get on it puts you really deep and relaxs you tremendously. Keep shoulders straight down not back(another tenser) Keep your head tall. But just do one of these things at a time then put them together. the rein part will come once you can do these little exersises. If you try and do your hips and reins at the same time it will be too much thinking causing you to tense. Works for me. I still do it after riding a long time. |
Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1
Post Number: 1328
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 9:38 am: | |
Diane,
You can do all THAT without the reins?! Do you have any idea how wonderful, how advanced that is? You should be smiling from ear to ear on that wonderful horse! Smile big, and that will relax you big time!
I also hold my reins like Dennis says above. The only time I have problems is holding 4 reins because I am using more fingers.
Katrina,
Love your tip above. I am going to post that one above my saddle to help me.
Another thing that will help is buy an exercise ball. Sit on it at the computer, and while watching tv. When you can balance on that, feet off the floor, you've found your center of balance. It's also great for moving around on. Do big circles while seated, and do 4 corners too. Move your hips 1,2, 3, and 4th corner. Then side to side, back & forth. I use my ball for those exercises. Once in awhile, I even do some of the exercises that I bought the ball for. |
Linda Lashley
Member
Username: lhenning
Post Number: 286
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 20, 2007 - 10:50 am: | |
Diane,
Such great tips here, I am learning too. I have the same problem you have, and only occasionally, as you mention. For me, the problem lies more in my daily life. I have found that stress, and sometimes it is a woman thing caused by hormones, cause my body to get tense before I even walk into the stable. I read about doing a body "self-inventory". That is to check your body mentally and look for tension. Usually, my back is tight and my shoulders and neck are tense. This happens from my job, my crazy family, and sometimes just because of nothing I can put a finger on. However, if I ride my horse when I feel like this, it will be a bad day and I will be grabbing his mouth too much. To combat this, I mentally relax each body part, starting with my lower back. If any of my tension is actual muscle tightness caused by work, I take ibuprofen to relax the muscles. I try to smile more!!! Amazing how much a smile can do to relax a person. Some days I realize it is just not a good day to ride because my stress load is too much.
While I am riding, I tell myself to "trust the horse" and I ride for a long time on a loose rein mentally thinking of becoming one with him until I relax.
I believe ridin |
