Archive for May, 2005
Posted May 20th, 2005 — Filed under
Windrock Farm
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My trainer is always telling me not to float my foot in the stirrup, I am having a hard time keeping it on the ball of my foot. First check your seat, are you sitting centered and balanced, an open relaxed hip, feeling your seat bones sink into the saddle. Each of your legs should work as two separate parts(thigh and lower leg). the easiest way to keep your weight in the stirrup is to allow the inside of the foot to be slightly lower than the outside.
Posted May 11th, 2005 — Filed under
Windrock Farm
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Horses need variety in the training. Find a field and take him for a gallop, plan to hack him cross country at least once a week. The horse has a skeletal structure which is supported by many different muscle groups. The muscles used in play when in turn out, the muscles used to gallop, the muscles actived when climbing and descending hills and even other muscles developed in your training regine in the ring. The stronger your horse is all around, the easier his work is for him. More importantly he will enjoy the variety of doing different things.
Posted May 9th, 2005 — Filed under
Windrock Farm
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My horse is confirmed in flying changes, however I have a diffiuclt time changing from left to right, what do I do?
Check your postition to be certain that you are asking with the correct aids. A good excercise is to ride counter canter to a simple change,
many times and then ask for the change as if you were going to do the simple change. The quality of your simple change will tell you where
your position is weak, and when it is seemless you will perform a successful change. You must have a clear rhythm, straighness, impulsion and most importantly a relaxed canter stride before achieving a change.
Posted May 8th, 2005 — Filed under
Windrock Farm
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Enter the arena with your eyes up on the judge at C. Ride with straight with more impulsion than you think you need, prepare for your halt at L with half halts and sink your heels and seat into a perfect square halt at X. The haunches will not drift to either side if you have enought impulsion and you are sitting balanced and straight on both seat bones, looking straight ahead. Imagine riding a bike very slowly down center line, it is diffuclut to balance, however, if you ride with more speed it is easier to stay balanced and straight. If you are riding straight and balanced and dealing with something the horse is spooking at, you may have to override the outside aids to compensate for your horse to remain straight. However the key is your position, check it out and make sure you are correct.