Last week I was able to start 121 training with my clients again-outside so we can social distance but most of my clients are familiar with an arena so training in there isn’t an issue. It’s just nice to have a sense of normality back and see people face to face again rather than via a screen. Hopefully it won’t be too long before I can have classes in that arena too-I’m banking on the first week just being a massive pony gossip catch up week, if we do it whilst sat on a gym ball I’m sure that counts as productive training!

I imagine for some of you lessons have also been restarted which hopefully has given you your focus back.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about lock down is the amount of online training experts have made available. I’ve been watching webinars from Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire of Centaur Biomechanics about his research into horse and rider asymmetry.
On one of his webinars he said something that really resonated with me and what I want to achieve for both myself and that of my clients.

“ A rider needs to be strong enough to absorb the movement of the horse and correct the forces of asymmetry.”

A strong muscular system is able to absorb the movement of the horse and remain stable and therefore able to give clear aids. It is also able to hold itself in self carriage. Can you imagine the difference for your horse between the rider that wobbles about, moving side to side, forward and back trying to stay on board versus the rider who is able to hold themselves still and in control. It’s like the difference between having a well packed ruck sack on your back versus a wriggling, floppy child of the same weight on your back. Which do you think is easier to carry?

Also think about all those little asymmetry’s that occur when you’re riding? Your horse falls in a little on that circle, he’s not quite straight down that centre line. Whether the asymmetry comes from you or your horse it is still your job as the rider to address correcting them.

If you can have the control from your body to ride a perfectly straight line you have a much better chance of training your horse to do so.

I’m going to address the effect of rider asymmetry next week, but for now I want you to think about how good a load you are for your horse to carry.

Are you a help or a hindrance in your partnership?

If it’s hindrance and you want some help I’ve got an arena I can help you change that in!