I enjoy the privilege to work with adult students and their horses. Jacque is a skilled rider who has ridden most of her life. I love the fact that she is humble enough to continue to learn and improve her already formed skills. She is demonstrating a nice relaxed walk with good form. We did adjust her stirrups from the last session which helped considerably. We're ready to move on to the trot.
Trotting is more challenging than most gates. The two had a rough first start. Jacque is a bit tense an it transmits to her horse. Her hands are high causing the horses nose to go up and making a more rough trot. She is also a bit too strait allowing her seat to bounce up because her shoulders are also lifting.
This is actually a more controlled trot without the tension on the reins. Jacque has dropped her hands allowing the horse's nose to drop. Jacque has bent slightly at the waist and uses squared shoulders to force her center of balance into her seat. Her legs are also relaxed with heels slightly down.
Here her legs are less relaxed and the horse is tensing.
Here some more tension in the reins, losing contact with her seat by coming too far forward by legs falling back. Perhaps gripping thighs too much. All in all Jacque is improving and eager to learn more with each session. What you don't see, is that her horse is overcoming a few issues and they are now coming together to make a great partnership.
Alison, is a ballet teacher with a passion for horses. She's also a young mother who decided to fill the void and just do it! Alison had a good concept of where to position herself in relationship to the horse when preparing the horse for the ground work. She was also well coordinated. It was like watching a dance!
In this photo you can see the horse start to set up for a stop as Alison moves into position more to the front of the horse.
The best way to feel the horse and test your skills of balance is to ride bareback. Alison's hand is too far out causing her body to lean into the intended turn. She's bracing with her left leg and losing contact with her right leg. Her ballet skills have programed her to center her balance which is the saving grace in this attempt to turn her horse.
It took a few times to perfect the technique with her hands and legs.
I had her ride with no hands and use one hand at a time only when necessary. She was forced to rely more on her seat and legs, and less on her hands to turn.
The smile on her face is an indication that she is experiencing the thrill of a complimentary maneuver with her horse. Notice how much more relaxed her body is.
For more tips go to our other blog, "sister-pie.blogspot.com" where I posted today on techniques in turning.
