Elhanan Equestrian

11/09/2024

If you are not prepared to have a horse ‘read’ you before you interact don’t go to the pasture or the barn.

A word to the wise ~ our horses know much more about us than one might expect or consider 😉

11/08/2024

To develop the horse symmetrically in body and limbs you can use gymnastic exercises.

*** CORNERSTONES ***

The core of the gymnastic exercises consists of the circle, shoulder-in and haunches-in. All the other exercises are derived from these cornerstones.

🐴 The circle is used to develop the Lateral bending of the body and spine, the Forward down tendency of the head and neck and the Stepping under the center of mass of the inside hind leg (LFS).

🐴 Once the inside hind leg can step under, this hind leg can also start to take weight. To do so we use the shoulder-in and counter-shoulder-in. These exercises are designed to school the hind leg in function of the inside hind leg. As a result of taking the weight, the horse will bend the inside hind leg more and free the outside shoulder.

🐴 Once the horse can bend the hind leg as an inside hind leg, we can also start to school the hind leg as an outside hind leg. To do so we use first the haunches-in (travers) and later on the renvers. In the renvers the horse can lean less against the wall/fence with his shoulder, so it's a bit more difficult than the travers, but as a result he really supports himself with his hind legs.

*** ALL EXERCISES ARE RELATED ***

All exercises relate to one another and differ slightly:

🐎 The only difference between shoulder-in and counter-shoulder in is the position of the fence/wall. The same applies to the haunches-in (travers) and the renvers, also there the only difference is the position of the wall.

🐎 The difference between shoulder-in and renvers is the bending in the spine, which is the opposite. In these exercises the same hind leg has the opposite function ('inside' in shoulder-in, 'outside' in renvers). The same applies to counter shoulder-in and the haunches in.

🐎 The half pass is 'just' a haunches-in over the diagonal, and the pirouette is 'just' a haunches-in on a small circle. Both half-pass and pirouette require support of both the inside as the outside hind leg. Therefore in both exercises the shoulders must lead to be able to keep the center of mass in front of the direction of the hind legs, only then both hind legs can support the weight. So both the half pass and pirouette also relate to the shoulder-in.

*** NUMBER OF TRACKS AND DEGREE OF BENDING ***

Now all exercises can be done on 3 or 4 tracks, or 2,5 tracks or 3,75 or 3,99 ;) and your horse can have more or less bend in his spine. Now there is no 'perfect' number and the exact degree doesn't matter. What matters in ST is that you choose the number of tracks and degree of bending where your horse can support his body and center of mass best with both hind legs. And that depends on the conformation of your horse: if he has a long back or a shorter one, if he has long legs, or shorter ones, if he has a long neck or a short one. So choose the degree of bending and number of tracks where your horse can move in optimal balance and with most quality.

*** HOW TO DEVELOP THESE EXERCISES? ***

First start the circle, then after a few training sessions add the shoulder-in, and the moment the the horse can do this exercise for 66,6% of quality, add the haunches-in. From there you can start practising the variations.

**** HOW TO DEVELOP THE HORSE EQUALLY? ***

To develop a horse equally in body and limbs all exercises need to be done to the right and to the left (or as they say in English: on the right rein and on the left rein).

When doing these exercises there will always be an 'easy' side and a difficult side. To develop the horse equally, do the 'difficult' side a bit more often and it's also an idea to start with the 'difficult' side and to end with the 'difficult side'.

The moment the horse starts to feel more equal, switch to train the exercises 50-50.

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Click here for more information:

Circle:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/circle

Shoulder-in:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/shoulder-in

Haunches-in:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/haunches-in

Renvers:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/renvers

Half pass:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/half-pass

Pirouette:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/pirouette

Lateral movements:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/lateral-movements

Ladder of exercises:
www.straightnesstraining.com/straightness-training-exercises/a-logical-system-of-ever-increasing-exercises

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11/08/2024

11/07/2024

We’re on the way! Watch for us Sunday morning in the 2nd level Junior Championship!

This year, the US Dressage Finals program has gone digital! You have all the information at your fingertips. Scan this code or visit this link to browse the program: https://bit.ly/2024FinalsProgram

11/07/2024

11/04/2024

Difficult horses expose you for the rider and trainer that you are.

They highlight your inadequacies and showcase them for everyone to see.

They get louder if you refuse to listen.

They will embarrass you, humble, you, infuriate you but, also, they will teach you. If you let them.

Horses who refuse to succumb to forceful pressures and instead fight back often aren’t the most liked horses.

How we respond to these horses exposes a lot about us and where we are in our horsemanship journey.

If we let our ego run the show, we can quickly resort to toxic attitudes that blame the horse and cause us to respond in anger.

We may stereotype the horse off of their breed, color, s*x, or whatever trait we can grasp to try to blame. ie: “she’s such a chestnut thoroughbred mare, that’s why she’s being such a witch!”

While this may provide temporary relief and it takes the focus off of how we are creating negative behaviour in the Horse, it stunts our growth.

And it soothes our ego at the expense of the horse.

It’s easy to like horses who do what we want.

Who are simple, uncomplicated, easy to push and get the answer we want.

But, how we respond to the horses who won’t do that perhaps says the most about us as a human.

The empathy and compassion with which we can approach the difficult horse speaks volumes about our own ability to emotionally regulate and how we show up as a rider and/or trainer.

One of the most telling things about a trainer may just be how they behave when things don’t go their way.

How do they treat the horses who don’t respond well to their methods?

Do they get angry and try harder to force a result?

Or do they pause, recalibrate and find a new approach?

11/04/2024

And god help you if it’s a redhead 🧑‍🦰
🤣😆🤪🤣😆🤪

11/03/2024

Sidesaddle riding, a unique form of equestrianism, has a rich history that reflects societal norms and gender roles, particularly in the context of women's fashion. This method of riding utilizes a specialized saddle that allows the rider, typically a woman, to sit sideways rather than astride the horse. The design of the sidesaddle includes a distinct pommel and a seat that securely positions the rider while accommodating the flowing skirts and dresses that were customary for women, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. This adaptation not only provided a means of riding but also allowed women to maintain a level of modesty and elegance while engaging in equestrian activities.

Historically, sidesaddle riding dates back to ancient times, with references found in artworks and texts from various cultures. In medieval Europe, it became increasingly popular among aristocratic women who sought to participate in hunting and leisure riding without compromising their attire. The rise of the sidesaddle also coincided with changing perceptions of women's roles in society, as more women began to assert their independence and engage in activities that were once considered exclusively male domains. As the design of the sidesaddle evolved over the centuries, it became both a practical tool for riding and a symbol of female sophistication.

In addition to its practical applications, sidesaddle riding has developed into a celebrated equestrian discipline, often showcased in competitions and exhibitions. Riders in sidesaddle events display not only their riding skills but also the beauty of their traditional attire, creating a striking visual spectacle. While the practice may have declined in popularity with the advent of modern riding styles, it remains a cherished tradition among enthusiasts, preserving the artistry and elegance associated with this unique form of equestrianism. Today, sidesaddle riding is celebrated for its historical significance and the empowerment it symbolizes for women in the world of horseback riding.

11/03/2024

It will likely be way harder one direction.
Do NOT lean, but rather put your pelvis over top of your inside leg.
Many (most?) riders unknowingly slide to the outside one or both directions.
This really helps!!