To Sit Or Not To Sit?
By Alison Short
Animal welfare is in the fore front of my mind when training horse and rider combinations, and in this ever growing world of liability so many accumulative conditions have to be considered.
The going has a strong influence in the horse's performance and an unsuitable surface can cause long term injuries, a correctly fitted saddle and bridle, an appropriate bit for safety, along with its suitability for each discipline is also paramount.
The balance of a horse's feet and effects this can have on limb lameness, splints or even muscular pain, as well as the horse's general athletic performance. Yet so often the biggest influence on the horse's way of going is over looked, that being the balance and progressive development of the rider, and the effects of his leg, seat and rein.
For those of you who have been fortunate enough to ride a well trained horse, you will have felt a good leg to rein connection, with an elastic feel from the top of his tail to the poll. However, this feel can often be intermittent or even lost if his correct training is not kept up, causing his muscles to contract, stiffness through his back, and a loss of fluency and even regularity to his paces.
“So how do we develop a correct way of going?”
It's often difficult to progress when you are aware of the lack of balance you have and its possible effects on your horse, begin with a lunge lesson either on your own horse, (if he is suitably safe) or alternatively find a training centre or trainer who has a suitable horse. Use a strap on the front of the saddle, this will enable you to concentrate on your own position whilst gaining better use of your aids, and therefore a stable absorbing seat.
“Think of being a Lego man and sit on your peg!”
Core strength is key in developing stability in the saddle with out rigidity, creating strength through the torso can relieve stress on your spine, and a rider who cannot absorb movement in turn will often suffer back problems, and often his horse too.
“To follow is to allow someone to lead.”
Create a position where your shoulder is marginally behind your tummy button, then tilt your tummy upwards, this will allow your horse to travel ahead of you, thinking of your upper body being the angle of the centre of a capital Z in reverse, with a softly bent knee as a shock absorber. This will often be the first joint along with a “hard to the ground” heel that disturbs the balance and so creates tension and bouncing.
Once you have begun to develop better balance and absorption, work towards triggered transitions.
”By creating an effortless way of achieving transitions, tension will not distort your position.”
When asking your horse to go from one pace to another make sure he continues to have a smooth running engine, without your leg constantly fuelling him forward, see that the person lunging him helps to monitor his rhythm.
When asking for upward transitions tilt your tummy button up as you apply your leg aid, maintaining the same shoulder elbow line raising you hands by two inches, imagine carrying a tray of drinks!
All of these things can develop a lighter way of travelling forward, using your voice in an encouraging way can also be helpful.
When starting sitting trot without your strap, try to remain a large person in your upper body rather than pinching your shoulders together and moving off of your peg, if your position falls apart go back to walk, rebalance yourself and achieve another triggered transition.
By closing your knee and keeping your eyes on the horizon a downward transition can be achieved, again focusing on your core strength throughout being careful not to spill your drinks.
These transitions will help your horse to achieve greater balance too, combining this with the elasticity you are now developing between you, his “pushing power” growing stronger, so developing your “Happy Athlete.”
“He's not made of china”
None of us want to cause any discomfort to our equine partners but I had to laugh when watching Diarmud's long suffering horse on “Only fools on horses”.
By the third evening he started putting his amateur rider straight, putting a stop in when being asked to take off at some inappropriate distances. Well done to all who took part, especially Tim Stockdale lets hope they raised lots of money!!!
By Alison Short listed British Dressage judge and Freelance Trainer 07719 900275 email alisonshort@btopenworld.com
