Karen posted: >>>One of the reasons I love NATRC is because the
equitation of the rider is judged. In most cases, if you see poor
equitation, you find sore backs, lameness, tack rubs, etc., because of the
imbalance in the rider. So, it stands to reason that if you try to
perfect your equitation, the ability of your horse to perform to its
potential is no longer hindered by the riders contribution.
<<<
Unfortunately, instead of taking this information,
to make themselves better riders for their horses over long distances, many
riders felt that they did not LIKE to be judged on how they ride. (many call it
nit-picking) Of course, we are judged and even scored in a sense, every
time we get on our horse. It might not be from another person watching us and
making notes on a score card during a competitive ride, but by the results we
achieve during that ride from our horse. Indeed, poor balance and "equitation"
can cause so many issues in our horses as they carry us over the trail.
Soreness, unbalanced way of going, to the horses possible lack of concentration
on the trail, as they are uncomfortable due to the riders way of riding
them.
I try to ride every ride, as if I was being watched
and scored by a NATRC judge. My horse has to carry me all day, the least I can
do for him is to try to ride to the best of my ability to make that job as easy
on him as possible.
