Cari Swanson

Balance in Movement

I am always fascinated and inspired to meet people passionate about their lives, especially when they are well into their ninth decade, and beginning new projects.

One such person is an icon in the equestrian world, Sally Swift, the founder and teacher of the centered riding movement. She is currently working on many new projects. Accumulating the knowledge to create her unique approach to riding came as a bi-product of dealing with her own anatomical demons. She was diagnosed with a spinal disorder, forcing her to learn how to contend with her weakness. Riding was encouraged as an exercise to help balance and strengthen her misaligned spine. She began teaching friends her techniques with great success. Her teachings began to spread by word of mouth, culminating today with several books, a video series and entire business devoted to her training ideas.

Recently I had the honor to meet Sally at a Dressage Judges Symposium. She is a gifted, energetic and delightful person, open to learning about everything in life. Sally is totally uninhibited in her efforts to make things seem as real and entertaining to others as they are to her. She uses incredible images to help people let go of their bodies and allow the movement of the horse to be felt. There are elephant wheels and there are mouse wheels, or ride as if you have stumps for legs, or think of an imaginary ball in your chest that drops down through your body and into your pelvis with a thunk as though into deep mud. This imagery actually does helps you find your center and feel the horse.

If you think about it, consider a horizontal horse, as a shock wave machine —- you put on top of him a vertical rider who must become a shock-absorbing machine. Sally’s lessons teach you to understand that the body can actually adapt to the concussion of the subtle movements to absorb and dissipate this shock.

A friend recently remarked, watching dressage is like watching paint dry. Watching someone improve in dressage is like watching oil paint vs. latex paint dry, the subtleties are minute.

Riding is a balance game of horse and rider. Two living beings seeking to find a common balance so that it appears to the observer as if they are as one. Even an uneducated eye will recognize a good rider when they see this harmony.

The problem is that as soon as the rider decides to work hard, they stiffen up and become a rigid robot. Breathing becomes shallow; tension seeps into all the limbs and the horse cannot perform correctly. Imagine a dance partner who is stiff and does not follow your rhythm or timing. It would be incredibly awkward.

Sally has managed to successfully explain to anyone how to ride in harmony with her powerful imagery. She is not only an inspiration for equestrians, but she is one of those rare people who lift you up when you are in her orbit. You are better for having spent time with her. That is an amazing gift.

Horses in Art

Horses in Art

Last week I took a day off from riding to take my working student into Manhattan for a cultural diversion. Maja is from Germany and is curious to explore New York beyond the farm.

Although we thought we were escaping the horse world for a day, we were reminded that horses have been with man since the beginning of time. They appear evrywhere in art throughout the ages. The Metropolitan Museum is enormous, so Maja chose several areas of special interest to explore.

Our first stop was on the second floor in the gallery of Nineteenth Century European paintin and sculture. We were mesmerized by “The Horse Fair”, a large painting depicting a scene from the horse market in Paris around 1853. This could easily have been a scene at the Dutchess County Fair years ago. The artist, Rosa Bonheur, visited the market daily for nearly 2 years, dressed as a man to avoid attention. Her study takes you to the fair where you can almost hear the horses breathing and the sound of their hoofbeats on the boulevard.

Directly behind Rosa’s painting was a beautiful bronze Hippogriff—half horse, half dragon sculpted by Antoine Louise Barye. He was among many artists at the time who depicted horses of all breeds in their work—from workhorses to racehorses.

Now it became a challenge to see if we could pass through a room without finding a horse…

As we worked our way over to the Asian wing, we passed a 5th century stone from Pakistan which was the fragment of a lid depicting a Hunting Scene with several horses chasing something….it could have been the Millbrook Hunt chasing a fox across my corn field.

The next room Maja found a Terracotta rhyton, or libation vessel in the form of a horse from Archaic Art in Cyprus

Finally passing into the Buddhist temple,–our destination– we passed a Majestic figure of a Horse from the Tang Dynasty, late 7th century..

The museum was closing and as we walked out, we ran into a friend who boards a horse at my farm. She was surprised to see us in the city. We told her about our adventure and how it was impossible to avoid horses. She agreed, and told us about childhood memory, some 50 years ago, when she would go out to the barn and bury her head in her ponies mane to escape the world. As she closed her eyes, she said she could still smell Bessie.

We laughed and resolved that it was fun to get away from the farm, but it is impossible to avoid horses.

Horses as Inspiration

Horses as Inspiration

Last weekend, I attended a dinner party at a close friends home located on a magnificent thoroughbred breeding farm in the heart of Dutchess County. We were all gathered to honor the current Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser, but naturally the conversation turned to horses.

Seated to my left was an accomplished composer and pianist who claimed that although he enjoyed watching horses run at the Saratoga Racetrack in the summer, he was terrified of them.. He explained that he had an irrational fear of being kicked in spite of the fact that he has never been close enough to touch a horse.

However, he admitted to admiring their beauty from afar and pointed out the similarities between horses and music—illustrated by many compositions inspired by horses, such as Copeland who featured the rhythms of galloping hoof beats throughout his music.

Seated to my right was Ted Kooser, who said that although he did not specifically write about horses, he often found them permeating his poems. To illustrate this, he recited Old Lilacs from his Pulitzer Prize winning collection of poetry:

Through early April cold,
These thin grey horses
Have come near the house
As to a fence, and lean there
Hungry for summer,
Nodding their heads with a nickering of twigs

Their long legs are dusty
From standing for months
In winter’s stall, and their eyes
Are like a cloudy sky
Seen through bare branches.

They are waiting for May
To come up from the barn
With her overalls pockets stuffed with the fodder
Of green. In a month
They will be slow and heavy,
Their little snorts so sweet
You’ll want to stand
Among them, breathing.

Ted also mentioned the one and only time he ever sat on a horse. He was thirteen when his best friend invited him to ride tandem bareback on her pony, he said this was a remarkable experience. Although this early encounter with horses did not motivate him to continue riding, he said this was a special moment he will never forget on many levels.

As evidenced by our conversation that evening, the horse inspires great music and poetry. I agree with Winston Churchill who once said, “the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man”.

Dutchess County is Horse Country

Some of you own and ride horses as a sport and passion, constantly seeking the perfect connection of balance and harmony, which results from clear communication with your partner. Many other people simply enjoy horses from afar, watching them in films, reading about them in stories, or simply watching them graze and gallop across the local countryside. Horses seem to permeate every aspect of our lives in Dutchess County. It is impossible to drive anywhere without passing a horse in a field along the road.

Many people move to this area because of one or many horses. Others are enchanted by the feeling of living in “horse country”. No matter what you will be drawn into the world of the horse. From early Spring until late Fall you will have the opportunity to watch world class horses compete at local three day events, show jumping venues or dressage competitions. This is an opportune time to observe talented riders and horses warming up and competing. I remember years ago, a wonderful old horseman and trainer advised me to watch the best trainers from all disciplines to learn how to better communicate with the horse. This advice has served me well, allowing me to integrate new ideas and techniques from many disciplines into my daily training, accessing important knowledge from the universe of the horse. So be careful not to limit yourself, take advantage of the wealth of information in your backyard, get out there and enjoy the many aspects of the horse world in this community.

Horse Dentistry by Brian Stuart

Modern testing comfirms the value of a well floated mouth. A study at the University of Saskatchewan found another positive effect of a well floated mouth. Floating seems to increase the mobility in a horses jaw, which may account for the improved performance after a floating. The researchers studied the effects of floating 59 horses with no previous history of dental problems. Measurments were taken of each horse’s rostrocaudal mobility or the degree to which the jaw moves forward and backward. These measurement suggest what flexibility could be expected at the pole. Next 33 horse were floated while the remainder were left untouched to serve as controls. When the rostrocaudal mobility was again checked, a striking difference emerged. 31 of the 33 horses had an average of 3 millimeters increase in jaw mobility. How might this benefit the horse/athelete? This increased mobility should make it easier for the dressage horse (as an example) to adopt and maintain a frame.

Let’s start at the beginning, with the term float which is a Greek word. Masons float cement; it means to level. That’s the general idea behind most dental procedures. Why do horses need their teeth floated? They have twenty four cheekteeth also known as molars and premolars that are always erupting . The upper teeth in the molar section overhang the lower teeth. As the horse chews the parts that meet wear away, but those that don’t lengthen . These areas that are lengthening often come to a point or a hook. These hooks eventually begin to cut the cheek or tongue. These hooks should be filed off and blended back into the tooth . Another frequently seen problem is when one or more molars overgrow; perhaps it’s because there is not an opposing tooth. Sometimes the opposing tooth is weaker due to some flaw. Whatever the reason an overgrowing tooth is a problem. The tooth must be filed back to where it belongs or it will cause trouble. Teeth are prematurely lost and the mechanics of the mouth are impaired if these problems aren’t addressed. Addressing these problems through floating should be 99% of a lay dentists business.
Wolf Teeth are vestigal molars that no longer are used for chewing food. They almost always develop in the upper bar immediatley ahead of the 2nd premolar (1st cheektooth). They should be removed before young horses are broke to ride or drive. They will never cause a problem during eating because they are not involved in chewing. If they fail to break through the gum, they are called blind wolf teeth. Blind wolf teeth should be removed if there are training issues.

Canine Teeth are usually found in stallions and geldings , mares sometimes get very small immature canines. In the wild they are a fighting tooth; however,for the domesticated horses of today, they are a nuisance . Though it’s nice to give them a blunter shape, they pose little risk of injuring your horse . The greater risk is to the rider when tacking up . Beware the big production over shaping up the canine teeth . They are easy to get at and consequently the favorite tooth of the huckster .

Incisors are in the front of the mouth . They are used for cutting grasses when grazing . Until recently they received little attention from lay dentists. Lately, a theory is gaining some adherents that suggests the filing of incisors will relieve pain in temporomandibular joint or TMJ. Though this must be possible in some cases, overall it is unlikely.

Take care of your horses teeth, it will pay off in a healthy happy horse who can perform to the best of his ability.

This information was excerpted from Equine Dentist Brian Stuart’s informative web site, www.toothfairy.sites.cc or you can call him at 845.386.2237.

Words of Wisdom from Klaus Balkenhol

“In Germany, I may see 25-30 horses at two or three years old with phenomanol talent, five years later there may be one competing internationally.

“The biggest mistakes in training occur at five, six and seven.”

“The best dressage stallion is a gelding, if the horse is not being used for breeding, it is better to geld.”

“Judges have a big responsibility because riders will always show what the judges are rewarding.”

“There is one method of training. The goal is, we make the horse strong for the work we ask of him–strong for longevity. There is no ‘new’ method of training. One must always come back to the training scale.”

“The good rider can work a horse in a way that the horse does not even realize he is working.”

“The secret of taking the rein is always the giving part.”

“One has to school the inner desire of the horse to go forward.”

“Draw reins are okay in the hands of a good rider, but not all riders want to be good.”

“Work out problems at the beginning of a training session, so the horse is not tired.”

“When the rider is laughing and having fun, they are loose, thus the horse goes looser and looser”.

“We are servants to the horse”.

The HorseTV Channel

Horses inspire, enrich, thrill and entertain us. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The HorseTV Channel is the television destination that fulfills the interest and enthusiasm of horse lovers like you.

From silk hats to Stetsons, discover a diverse and fun-filled program lineup. Experience top competitions and rodeos to exotic horse travel destinations and classic movies. Learn about the many remarkable ways that horses enrich our lives.

The World Equestrian Games in 2010 will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park. This is the first time, the FEI World Equestrian Games will be held outside of Europe. The Games will take place during two weeks in the fall of 2010 and have an estimated ticket salses of 300,000. The games will be broadcast live from the Kentucky Horse Park to 40 countries nad reported worldwide by more than 1,000members of the international media.

This is an exciting time for equestrian sports and we need to have more visibility and awareness.

Call or write your television provider and let them know that you want them to carry the HorseTV Channel in your area.

Spread the word to your family and friends.

visit www.horsetv.com and sign up for email updates about the HorseTV Channel.

Word of Wisdom from Tony Mason

“One should endeavor at all times to strive for a state of Grace between oneself and one’s horse, where communication is discussed with a thought and a slight shift of weight or pelvic angle, maybe backed up with the leg or hand. However, all attempts to ‘ride’ a horse result in a greater loss of performance as a horse despises interference and agitation. The more calm the rider, the finer the horse will go and indeed step into a joy in the energy, which he will never display with a busy and confusing rider. It would be better if the word ‘ride’ had not been invented pertaining to horses, because people think they must ride…I am thinking that perhaps, maybe by staying on with the balance, the slightest tip or pressure of weight here or there could indicate the balance to go that way and if a rider is quiet with his body and hands then the horse will move quietly under him, where the balance is transferred. However, a rider who cannot give up on the reins and kicks indiscriminantely blocks out the horse who has no idea what is being asked of him, while the rider’s busy-ness creates a stiff back.”

Correcting the Riders Position

Please address rider asymmetry for example, all my horses have always been short on the right side due, in large part, to my own position and asymmetry which places them to the right regardless of the direction we are going in. What are the main issues causing this imbalance and how do I, the rider, correct my own position?

This is an important question. The first thing is for you to be aware of your position. Since you know all of your horses are twisted to the right, you must be very tight and collapsing your right side. The second goal is to reprogram yourself to correct the imbalance.

Take a video of yourself riding normally in both directions at the walk, trot and canter. The best angle to analyze your postion is from behind up the long side. Once you visually see what you are feeling, you can begin to correct the error. If you collapse to the right, check your leg position, is it in alignment, i.e.shoulder, hip and heel in a straight line? Is your heel down, legs relaxed, not gripping? Lifted in your sternum centered equally over both seatbones? Once correct, walk in both directions thinking about lengthening from your right hip to the shoulder, growing your upper body upward, always remaining centered in the saddle.

You will need someone on the ground telling you when you are not straight. Bring awareness into each step and breathe. By taking it very slow, and concentrating on your body, you will soon come into balance with your horse and ride correctly. When you are feeling more correct, take another video and analyze the differences.

Even better, video the collapsed postion and then slowly correct it with the excercises above and watch the video in slow motion. This will help you become very clear with your postion.

An excellent reference book to assist you is called Balance in Movement by Susanne von Dietze.

Difficulty Holding Canter on a Circle

A reader writes; I have been working with my TB (off the track). He has progressed quite well except for his right lead canter. He is sound, however, he seems weak stepping under to pick up the correct lead. When he picks up the lead correctly, he cannot sustain it for more than a few strides. I have been using spiraling, shoulder-in and haunches-in to try to strenghten him and/or restore some flexibility. Is there any other exercises I can do with him. He generally has no problem on the straight line, just the circle.

There are many other excercises you can do to help strengthen and build up the correct muscles for your horse to canter right. Horses off the track tend to be very one sided on the left as a result of running in that direction. The first thing to do is check for any unsoundness which sounds like you have already done. Next, check you positon and make sure you are riding balanced and light.

Since he can canter on the straight line, I would introduce counter canter which is an excellent excercise to balance your horse. Start with counter canter on the long side of the arena, transition to trot on the short side, counter canter the next long side and repeat. Remember you have to be patient and slowly build up his confidence and strength so that he can maintain the right lead canter.

Next introduce shallow loops from true canter toward X and back to the wall, eventually cantering all the way to X and back to the track at the end of the long side.

You may have introduced the spiralling excercise too soon, your horse must be able to maintain counter canter all the way around the arena several times before beginning this excercise. Continue with shoulder in and haunches in at the walk and trot. If you have the opportunity, canter up hills on the both leads several times a week to help build up new muscles.

Another easy excercise is to leg yield right from the long side to X, 10 meter half circle right from X to the long side, ask for canter as you hit the track. Riding relaxed and balanced, continue cantering until your horse breaks. Repeat on the other side. Your goal should be to add a few strides each time. Be patient while your horse is finding new muscles.

After working with these excercises for a few weeks let me know the progress or any problems if they appear.