Simply Straight
by Joni Bentley
longissimus muscle along the spine in pink
1. Crooked horse: hollow, heavy in front and diving with its left hind into its right shoulder and foreleg.
When a horse is crooked; heavy in front and crooked behind, they cannot shift their weight back to the quarters because the longissimus muscle which is responsible for this action is malfunctioning. See fig 1. Being heavy in front means the horse supports itself with its forehand, giving them more stability in front than behind. This leaves the quarters light and free to swing around. This left hind driver (photo 1) puts his right forefoot down more quickly than the left to catch the centrifugal force from the left hind. The right shoulder then comes down at a steeper angle shortening the range of movement of the right hind. Undiagnosed unlevelness like this is often diagnosed as a crooked pelvis or neck problems and treated by osteopath’s, physiotherapists etc. It is true that these areas are malfunctioning but treating them in isolation from riding training is pointless. It’s the horse’s natural crookedness that is the problem, and this is a whole body syndrome and needs correction from the rider during training. Since horse’s joints are designed for carrying it forward rather than sideways, this crookedness puts enormous strain on the contact surfaces of the joints and ligaments associated with these joints. The most commonly encountered problems are back, knee, hock, sacroiliac and loose or locking stifles. All these symptoms result in loss of balance, pain, poor co ordination and RSI. The best way to deal with this is through appropriate training—straightness training!
2. Falling out of the right shoulder. This horse is refusing to let go of his tight intercostals muscles (the muscles between the ribs) in his left side. Being a left hind driver he is contracted through that side, and uses his left ribs to stabilise his crookedness. To compensate he only bends in the neck and leaks out of his right shoulder.
3. As we work with his muscles spirals and promoting length in his spine, and even weight bearing behind see photo 5, he starts to straighten out. The rider doesn’t need to correct the horse with her legs or hands now, because by lengthening and stretching the horse the crookedness causing the drifting starts to dissolve and solve itself.
4. In one session this horse releases his spinal twist and works more in accordance with his natural design. He looks a lot straighter and happier.
Looking all around us we can see the building of the Universe in spiral patterns from whirlwinds to tornadoes. The growth patterns in plants are spiral too, as are the movements of one of nature's most miraculous machines, the human and equine body. Bones, joints and muscle structures are spirally formed. When the body is functioning well its movements can be seen in graceful arcs. When a horse is free, relaxed, and happy their movements too are graceful arcs. See photo 5. On the other hand, a horse that is pulled about, dominated, tense, unsure and agitated, contracts tightens himself into a body amourture for protection. This disturbs and interferes with this natural free flowing design, or bio mechanics.
For the body to work well it must function through these spirals, expanding and contracting them, but following their patterns and guidelines. The way the head, neck and back are used in relation to each other, has a profound and far-reaching affect over the rest of the body. It is the core structure of every harmonious movement. The grace and poise of the rest of the body hinges upon good functioning of the head neck and back. See photo 5.
The Bentley Technique uses gentle corrective treatment to release the protective tension patterns. You can see in one session how the horse has changed from photo 1 to photo 5. This horse having got himself into an armoured, sluggish, twist, transforms to the horse in photo 5. He is now working on a loose rein, with not attempt to pull him in at the front, or the use of any gadgets. Because he is use to trailing his quarters, the rider occasionally touches him very gently on his quarters to encourage him to step through more. He is now well balanced expanding and contracting his muscle spirals according to natures design. He is working extremely hard, in full submission and relaxation, while using his spine is working to its optimum.
The Bentley Technique works with rather than against the horse’s spiral patterns. The horse then:
1. Naturally shifts his weight back and down onto his lowered quarters and hind legs, which are now moving forwards and straight while bearing equal weight.
2. The crest muscles are up and engaged, reaching out of the shoulders in a graceful arc, naturally seeking the bit.
3. He is offering roundness which is supported by a lengthening widening back.
4. He is working extremely hard physically, while remaining mentally calm and relaxed.
5. He is now forwards and through, and, ready to commence lateral work from a healthy working frame, without contracting or disengaging his lengthening and widening arched back.
6. Very soon as he progresses up the scales of training he will be able to work in a shorter more conventional outline without fear of back or limb problems. See photo 4
The Bentley Technique is very simple; the very opposite to conventional training. It teaches the rider how to read, feel and understanding their own and their horse’s movement one step at a time at their own speed. Eventually when horse and rider stop doing the wrong thing the right thing does itself.
“I have deep faith that the principle of the universe will be beautiful and simple.”
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Joni Bentley will be giving the following workshops over the coming months:
16th May 1 day workshop Willow Farm, Hanslett's Lane, Ospringe, Faversham, ME13
29th May Great Farm Stables, West Woodhay, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0BS
For more information and to book your place go to www.jonibentley.co.uk
No internet? Tel 01442 402756 mobile 07771811561
