In my job as an Instructor, I constantly see different training techniques. Some work and some don't. Some are better than others and it is of great interest me to see what things or results are important to different people.
Some peoples focus is on what the horse should be doing, some focus fanatically on their position, some like to just have fun and not worry about anything else and sadly, some just want the horse to 'look the part'.
In all of the training regimes I have come across, the one thing that is unfortunately neglected is the In Hand Work.
What is In Hand Work? In Hand Work is training the horse from the ground. It can be as simple as asking your horse to be polite, move over when in the stable, to back up when needed or turn around when closing the field gate. It continues all the way up to advanced dressage movements.
In Hand Work has untold benefits. Of course the horse should be polite in the stable yard and move over and away from you when asked, that goes without saying. But, once you start to move up into actually 'working' the horse In Hand this opens up a whole new section of training that many aren't even aware of!
In Hand Work allows you look and see exactly how the horse moves his body with your own eyes. Because we are usually up on our horses backs when working them, we have to spend our time 'feeling' what is going on in his body and yes, sometimes this is really difficult. We may have to rely on other people, our instructors, helping us by telling us what is going on so we can become more aware. Being able to see what happens when you ask your horse for certain movements is extremely beneficial to our ridden work.
First of all, how many of us realise that our horses are crooked and not tracking up? I don't mean tracking up in the sense of the hind foot landing into the print of the fore foot, I mean are the prints in line with each other front to back. Does he always put one hind leg out to the side? Maybe you find this hard to notice when on board but once walking next to him and having a good look it's impossible not to see what is happening and therefore what is going on through his body. Then you can start to make changes and work him In Hand to help him track up better and transfer this through to your ridden work.
Lots of people start lateral work whilst mounted. In Hand Work was designed to supple the horse and teach him these more complicated movements without a rider. This enables him to strengthen the correct muscles he needs before adding the weight of the rider.
In Hand Work also gives the horse confidence. It allows him to feel his body, to explore different movements and become comfortable with performing them before more is expected of him.
Above all else, In Hand Work is great fun! It strengthens your relationship with your horse, it adds a new dimension to your training program and if you make time for it, it can transform your horses performance.
There are many good books and training videos dedicated to this work, there are even some good You Tube videos, so no excuses, give it a go you might be surprised how much you enjoy it!
Happy Riding!
x
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
How's your rein contact?
Rein contact.
This is a subject that can lead to much confusion. How do I hold the reins? How much pressure should there be? When do I move my hands, if at all? And many more questions I'm sure you can think of!
I see all sorts of riders and rein contacts. Some too tight and short. Some with their hands too low. Some that move them around constantly and the most common is no contact a all, you've all heard of this type I'm sure, washing line reins!
It seems to be quite a challenge for riders to improve their rein contact. Why is this? Well it is probably the most used form of communication with the horse and bad or incorrect habits which are habitually ingrained, as we know, are the hardest to change.
Why does the contact need to be correct? Correct rein contact means the horse can work properly. Ultimately we are asking the horse to tuck his hind legs under his body, round his back and arch his neck out of his withers and forward. None of this can occur without a correct rein contact.
Take the 'washing lines' rider for instance. If the rider uses her inside leg to create impulsion as needed for the above effects, what will happen to the horse? Without a good contact, you will effectively push the horse onto the forehand and he may rush away from your leg. Without a good contact, there is nothing which explains to him that the energy must be used for rebalancing him onto his hindquarters rather than fall forward.
How about riders who constantly move their hands or use their fingers as if playing a piano? Yes, I've heard that description a few times! The contact needs to be steady and still, then you add in your aids, for example a half halt when needed. How will the horse ever know when you are giving him an aid if your hands or fingers are constantly on the move? Believe me, you will have one very confused horse on your hands!
Have a good look at your rein contact, better yet, get a friend to take some photos or a little video clip. What do you see? Are you pulling back making your horse tense? Are you a 'washing lines' rider with your horse falling onto his forehand? How much do you move your hands around without realising?
Is it time to make changes and are you ready? If you think improvements need to be made, get help to change. Have lessons, get a knowledgeable friend to help, read books, watch videos, whatever you can do to improve - do it!
Happy riding
X
This is a subject that can lead to much confusion. How do I hold the reins? How much pressure should there be? When do I move my hands, if at all? And many more questions I'm sure you can think of!
I see all sorts of riders and rein contacts. Some too tight and short. Some with their hands too low. Some that move them around constantly and the most common is no contact a all, you've all heard of this type I'm sure, washing line reins!
It seems to be quite a challenge for riders to improve their rein contact. Why is this? Well it is probably the most used form of communication with the horse and bad or incorrect habits which are habitually ingrained, as we know, are the hardest to change.
Why does the contact need to be correct? Correct rein contact means the horse can work properly. Ultimately we are asking the horse to tuck his hind legs under his body, round his back and arch his neck out of his withers and forward. None of this can occur without a correct rein contact.
Take the 'washing lines' rider for instance. If the rider uses her inside leg to create impulsion as needed for the above effects, what will happen to the horse? Without a good contact, you will effectively push the horse onto the forehand and he may rush away from your leg. Without a good contact, there is nothing which explains to him that the energy must be used for rebalancing him onto his hindquarters rather than fall forward.
How about riders who constantly move their hands or use their fingers as if playing a piano? Yes, I've heard that description a few times! The contact needs to be steady and still, then you add in your aids, for example a half halt when needed. How will the horse ever know when you are giving him an aid if your hands or fingers are constantly on the move? Believe me, you will have one very confused horse on your hands!
Have a good look at your rein contact, better yet, get a friend to take some photos or a little video clip. What do you see? Are you pulling back making your horse tense? Are you a 'washing lines' rider with your horse falling onto his forehand? How much do you move your hands around without realising?
Is it time to make changes and are you ready? If you think improvements need to be made, get help to change. Have lessons, get a knowledgeable friend to help, read books, watch videos, whatever you can do to improve - do it!
Happy riding
X
Injuries and Illness - Be Patient
Injuries and illness. All owners and riders fear those words. Why?
Well of course it usually means that our equine friend has hurt himself and is in pain or is sick. It also signifies that our riding and training plans must now inconveniently be put on hold. This can really be a big deal to those who have planned their whole summer of competing, paid entries and are right in the middle of their training and fitness programs.
It can be devastating to riders who were looking forward to a summer of fun but unfortunately the horses needs must come first, and depending on the type of injury or illness, it usually means resting your horse until he recovers. Giving him time to recover.
Of course there are different levels of rest, it may just be that he needs light duties until he feels better, he may need rest from exercise but can still be turned out or it may be the extreme, box rest.
Whatever type of rest your horse needs from which ever injury or illness, the key words here are PATIENCE and TIME.
You must give your horse TIME to recover. Often people are so motivated with their training programs that they may inadvertently bring their horses back into work too soon and push them too hard. What does this result in? Potentially your horse's injury may flare up again, meaning more time off and more frustration for the rider that training time is being lost.
Be PATIENT. In the grand scheme of things does it really matter if you lose one season of competing, to ensure that the injury has healed enough to keep going for hopefully many years to come?
Depending on your horse's injury or illness, give him time, and then give him just a little more time. Don't rush back into your training program all guns blazing. Take it slow and build him up. Be 100% sure that he is ready to carry on before you start.
A good way to gauge the severity of an injury is to relate it to humans. For example, a simple sprained ankle in a human could take from 4 weeks to 3 months to heal depending on the severity and even then people may still get a niggle every now and then for months longer. This is exactly the same with our horses. Just because the swelling is gone it doesn't mean all is well and care should be taken until the injury is fully healed.
Be patient and take time - that competition you entered isn't as important as your horses health and well being.
Happy Riding!
x
Well of course it usually means that our equine friend has hurt himself and is in pain or is sick. It also signifies that our riding and training plans must now inconveniently be put on hold. This can really be a big deal to those who have planned their whole summer of competing, paid entries and are right in the middle of their training and fitness programs.
It can be devastating to riders who were looking forward to a summer of fun but unfortunately the horses needs must come first, and depending on the type of injury or illness, it usually means resting your horse until he recovers. Giving him time to recover.
Of course there are different levels of rest, it may just be that he needs light duties until he feels better, he may need rest from exercise but can still be turned out or it may be the extreme, box rest.
Whatever type of rest your horse needs from which ever injury or illness, the key words here are PATIENCE and TIME.
You must give your horse TIME to recover. Often people are so motivated with their training programs that they may inadvertently bring their horses back into work too soon and push them too hard. What does this result in? Potentially your horse's injury may flare up again, meaning more time off and more frustration for the rider that training time is being lost.
Be PATIENT. In the grand scheme of things does it really matter if you lose one season of competing, to ensure that the injury has healed enough to keep going for hopefully many years to come?
Depending on your horse's injury or illness, give him time, and then give him just a little more time. Don't rush back into your training program all guns blazing. Take it slow and build him up. Be 100% sure that he is ready to carry on before you start.
A good way to gauge the severity of an injury is to relate it to humans. For example, a simple sprained ankle in a human could take from 4 weeks to 3 months to heal depending on the severity and even then people may still get a niggle every now and then for months longer. This is exactly the same with our horses. Just because the swelling is gone it doesn't mean all is well and care should be taken until the injury is fully healed.
Be patient and take time - that competition you entered isn't as important as your horses health and well being.
Happy Riding!
x
Thursday, April 4, 2013
About Me!
I had been riding and training horses for many years using the
conventional methods until one day, I finally felt I had reached a plateau with
my horse. We were doing well but we still had lots of obvious training issues.
We were competing locally, but our progress had stopped and one issue was beginning to get worse - my horse was getting stronger and stronger. I sought advice from Instructors and knowledgeable people but they all advised to put him in a stronger bit.
I really didn't want to go down this slippery slope, what would happen when he got too strong in the next bit and then the next - I was sure his was a training issue rather than a tack issue.
To cut a long story short, I stumbled across my current trainer who took us back to basics, re taught me everything I needed to know using the same classical and biomechanical techniques I now, years on, teach and swear by and we haven't looked back!
We are still in a snaffle and I now understand why he reacts the way he does and how to deal with it. I now use my whole body and mind to ride him with instead of just my hands and legs. The change in us both has been amazing. I have been given the most valuable insight into the secrets of horsemanship and now it's my job to spread the word and bring success to you and your horse too!
Join me on my journey to Train Your Horse The Right Way!
We were competing locally, but our progress had stopped and one issue was beginning to get worse - my horse was getting stronger and stronger. I sought advice from Instructors and knowledgeable people but they all advised to put him in a stronger bit.
I really didn't want to go down this slippery slope, what would happen when he got too strong in the next bit and then the next - I was sure his was a training issue rather than a tack issue.
To cut a long story short, I stumbled across my current trainer who took us back to basics, re taught me everything I needed to know using the same classical and biomechanical techniques I now, years on, teach and swear by and we haven't looked back!
We are still in a snaffle and I now understand why he reacts the way he does and how to deal with it. I now use my whole body and mind to ride him with instead of just my hands and legs. The change in us both has been amazing. I have been given the most valuable insight into the secrets of horsemanship and now it's my job to spread the word and bring success to you and your horse too!
Join me on my journey to Train Your Horse The Right Way!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Horse Inside Out - Video Lecture
I recently began to take an interest in the 'Horses Inside out' company. I had heard about them previously, but hadn't taken much notice. Having decided that I'd like to see some horse themed demos over the coming months, I had a little look at their website. They had a video lecture coming up entitled, 'Riding From The Anatomical Perspective', but it was being held in Bunny, Nottingham, which was almost 100 miles away from me. Nonetheless, I decided I'd pay the £15 ticket price and go anyway.
Boy am I glad I did! I must say this lecture was probably the most useful and informative lecture I have ever heard. It gave me the most wonderful insight into the physical effects that our riding has on the horses body.
As an Instructor, it has proved to be an invaluable tool with regards to my teaching and of course to my further understanding of the horses body. It has also proved, without a doubt, that the classical route, teaching in depth correct rider biomechanics, is the only way to move towards creating a happy, pain and tension free horse and rider, who can work to the best of their ability.
How many times have we thought, 'I'll go for a nice relaxing hack today, instead of a schooling session'. And proceeded to let your horse walk out on a loose rein for an hour? Without knowing about the biomechanics of the horse and why his posture is as important as ours, hacking out on a loose rein can be damaging the horses back! With the weight of the rider, and allowing the horse a loose rein, it usually causes the horses back to become hollow, thereby causing the spinous processes of the spine to move closer together. And in extreme cases this can eventually cause problems such as kissing spines.
Have you heard people talk about the horse being in front of the leg? You probably understand this to mean the horse is responsive to the leg and moves from only a light touch. And so he should. A dissection picture was shown of the horses side where the riders leg sits. It showed the soft tissue in between the ribs had hardened and turned to bone and in this case had fused the bottom of some of the rib bones together. Now, it was said that it hasn't been scientifically proven that riding was the cause of this, but it makes sense doesn't it? The soft tissue in between the ribs suffers repeated trauma from the riders leg and as a result changes to cope with the extra pressure by calcifying.
It's our duty as horse riders to be as informed as possible and to make sure our horses riding career is as easy and pleasurable for him as it is for us. Never stop learning new things!
Happy Riding!
X
Boy am I glad I did! I must say this lecture was probably the most useful and informative lecture I have ever heard. It gave me the most wonderful insight into the physical effects that our riding has on the horses body.
As an Instructor, it has proved to be an invaluable tool with regards to my teaching and of course to my further understanding of the horses body. It has also proved, without a doubt, that the classical route, teaching in depth correct rider biomechanics, is the only way to move towards creating a happy, pain and tension free horse and rider, who can work to the best of their ability.
How many times have we thought, 'I'll go for a nice relaxing hack today, instead of a schooling session'. And proceeded to let your horse walk out on a loose rein for an hour? Without knowing about the biomechanics of the horse and why his posture is as important as ours, hacking out on a loose rein can be damaging the horses back! With the weight of the rider, and allowing the horse a loose rein, it usually causes the horses back to become hollow, thereby causing the spinous processes of the spine to move closer together. And in extreme cases this can eventually cause problems such as kissing spines.
Have you heard people talk about the horse being in front of the leg? You probably understand this to mean the horse is responsive to the leg and moves from only a light touch. And so he should. A dissection picture was shown of the horses side where the riders leg sits. It showed the soft tissue in between the ribs had hardened and turned to bone and in this case had fused the bottom of some of the rib bones together. Now, it was said that it hasn't been scientifically proven that riding was the cause of this, but it makes sense doesn't it? The soft tissue in between the ribs suffers repeated trauma from the riders leg and as a result changes to cope with the extra pressure by calcifying.
It's our duty as horse riders to be as informed as possible and to make sure our horses riding career is as easy and pleasurable for him as it is for us. Never stop learning new things!
Happy Riding!
X
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