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Standing in the stirrups is mostly balance. Once you get the balance,
then the strength to stay there comes into play. And of course, you
need a good saddle, stirrups in the right place, and a horse that has
a pretty smooth stride.
Do all the following in a safe environment such as a closed corral,=20
or trail where if something goes wrong you won't get hurt and the
horse won't get away.
If you can post easily, but not stand, it is likely that you are holding
on the reins, and pulling on the horse's mouth, to keep your balance.
(Think of a young child learning to walk. They get up, walk, go=20
faster and faster, and as soon as they try to stop, they fall forward.
They are not in balance.)
Try the following to find out. Get a nice trot going. =20
1. Now, loosen your reins to the point where there is no tension on=20
them (go on the buckel). Continue to post the trot. You should be=20
able to maintain the posting easily.
2. Change your posting diagonal by standing a beat rather than sitting
an extra beat. Again, you should be able to do this easily. You
should not fall forward or back.
3. Go on to a circle, 20 meters is good, practice standing for first a=20
quarter of a circle, then half a circle, then a full circle.
If you horse can't do this without rein guidance, then get a friend
to hold a lunge line for you. Go out to the full end of the line
and pick up the trot. Then you don't have to worry about guidance.
4. Now be brave. Drop the reins all together. Cross your arms in
front of you. Can you still post, or stand? Hold your arms out to=20
the side. Then hold your arms out in front of you. All of these=20
work on your balance.
You must keep your joints loose, ankles, knees, and hips must move
with the horse. You must stay relaxed. And your legs must stay under
you. A friend watching will really help tell you where your legs are.
A couple of lessons from a dressage instructor will really help.
Thus endith the lesson of the day:-)
-- Wendy\|/ /\ -O- =20 /**\ /|\ =20 /****\ /\ =20 / \ /**\ Here there be dragons / /\ / \ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\/\/\ /\ / / \ / \ / \/\/ \/ \ /\/ \/\ /\ /\/ / / \/ \ / / \/ /\ \ / \ \ / \/ / / \/ \/ \ / \ \ / / \/ \/\ \ / \ / / \ = __/__/_______/___/__\___\__________________________________________________
Wendy Milner HPDesk: wendy_milner@hp4000 Hewlett-Packard Company e-mail: wendy@fc.hp.com Mail Stop A2 Telnet: 229-2182 3404 E. Harmony Rd. AT&T: (970) 229-2182 Fort Collins, CO, 80525 FAX: (970) 229-2038
-------------------------------- End of ridecamp-d Digest V97 Issue #493 ***************************************
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