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[RC] Equitation question - L ginYou might consider the new information on a study they did on horses's eyesight that was in" Equss "and maybe /or "Chronicle of the Horse"--- that after two dressage horses , while in Frame collided head on in a competetion, they decided to see what" they could see "while in Frame.Dirt only. When a horse is in Frame he can only see the groud under his feet .He can not see in front of him. They think that is why many horses resist going into frame, because they can't see what is in front of them. So now thay have to really trust the rider. And in a groomed arena that may not be an issue. I took some dressage and huntseat, and sort of cringed at some of the trail riders when I first started trailriding. Then I stopped being a ring snob and realised that, sometimes you have to ride a certain way based on your body, your horses shape, your saddle fit and the terrain. There are reasons why ceratain show diciplines have "Homogenous" horses. My daughter teaches Huntseat. You want a horse that moves a certain way. The Racking horse people "sit back funny with dashboard legs" ,to emphasize the horses gaits. I rode a dressage horse , that was 2nd level and I "HAD" to use about 30 lbs of pull to do what I was told. (I used to do some archery)-- I hated it after riding my light to the rein arab. I tried not to ride that horse in lessons if I could get out of it. That and her suspension was so high, it eh, cause bladder problems!-- That horse also was now being taught to jump (eventing instructor), and she took a 2 foot jump like a 4 foot jump. (so yes I 've done 4ft. ONCE and not by choice!) So learn the useful stuff, but it doesn't all translate to the trail. For instance , I CAN'T ride my wellsprung ribbed arab with a long leg. NOt secure enough for his agility, and I can't use a narrow twist to help my leg get longer, cause it hurts my anatomy. Just like I can't ride with my toes forward and my thigh rolled in. Alot of early riding techniques were for men, by men. OR ceratain body types... Your body , your saddle, and your horse may not "fit the picture". So modify it, the only thing that counts in the looooong ride is "comfort" for both of you. One of the best things to see if you are riding crooked is to ride bareback---- or at least , drop your stirrups. We had to ride with our stirrups pulled up and crossed in early lessons. Had to post without them too. I still do it occasionally. That and those exercises where you drop the reins and do arm rotations or put your arms out to the sidelike you are flying.... Doing circles and figure eights or cloverleafs are good for your horse too. Mine likes to cut the circle and have his shoulder fall in to the left. That is why I do have a small dressage arena.
I've just started my guy in (really basic) dressage lessons, mostly for the discipline. Right now we are working on teaching him to carry himself using his topline instead of going inverted -- he has a long-standing habit of that, as I knew just from looking at his neck muscles when I bought him. My inclination (and my instructors') is to ask for just enough so that he isn't inverted. He can have his nose poked out and even have his head up a bit - just as long as he isn't using his lower neck muscles. This is quite a bit less than we are working on in his lessons, but those only last an hour in a nice, flat arena. :) Thanks _________________________________________________________________ A new home for Mom, no cleanup required. All starts here. http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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