11/02/2015
keeping with the groundwork theme... I wanted to show/write you a little bit about being in 'sync' with your horse.
One of the biggest aids we use with horses is pressure. Sometimes we use pressure without realising it, Pressure comes in different ways, use of leg aids, pushing and pulling (for want of a better word) ... but what about the one we are not so aware of... pressure on the horse caused by the way we stand, our posture, hold our body, use our body.... We can block our horses in so many ways, even from a distance.
Its all about our own body awareness....
When we are aware of this pressure we can use it to help our training with our horses... use it in a natural comfortable way for our horse instead of blocking him and his movement. The use of our bodies is so important to how we further our progress with our horse.
Some examples:
**On the longe - the horse moves forwards and freely to the left but not to the right, can't transition into the right canter, ... have you considerd that you could be standing a little bit in front of his shoulder? It could also be that you are blocking him by just holding your right hip crooked towards him.... yes horses are that sensitive.
Whilst in a round pen free schooling it is possible to change the direction with just a small blockage using your hip and posture change... you really don't need to jump out in front of him waving a rope fratically at him!.
**Work in hand:
You can determine the length of stride just by adjusting your own.
Ask him to back up, move forwards, all by using non-touch pressure.
There are so many things you can do with this 'hidden aid', the sky is the limit.... shoulder in, yielding, all without legs and reins. Great for your horses body awareness too!!.
Once you have a good self body awareness, working with your horse will become much easier, smoother and in sync, Its not something you teach your horse.... it just happens. You see, your not forcing him to do something, strapping him into a position where he cannot escape... you are giving room for him to move and be a horse, happily working/dancing with you as his partner...
*Also for horses that seem to have no manners... you will see a change in them too.*
(note: It could also be that you face the same problem on the longe as under the saddle, ask your instructor to pay attention to your position, espeically how your hips are situated in the saddle,)
*Zep the model for today - just coming back to work after a winter break*