TRAINING SERIES PART 9: Linking to ridden work

Developing Correct Movement in the horse Part 9: Linking to ridden work

The final lesson in this series, is how all of the movement improvement work discussed so far in this series links to ridden work!

If we consider the horses natural state, we already know that horses are crooked in body, limbs and therefore their movement, and potentially have poor posture (gravitational pull is just one reason!). So already they have some significant disadvantages within exercise, and these are actually injury risks too.

So if we are exercising a horse with poor posture and crookedness patterns, without actually correcting these issues at the foundation level in the body, these issues will just continue and will actually be strengthened...so we end up strengthening the negative patterns. I hope this part makes sense. I have seen very fit horses but they have very sore backs due to poor posture. And horses that work at a high level in terms of competition, but have real crookedness issues.

So if we get down to the foundation level in the horses body, and start correcting posture and crookedness with flexibility and core strengthening work, we are actually RETRAINING our horses body and movement.

If we can retrain our horse to carry themselves because we have worked hard on improving their posture and core strength, the horse then has the strength and the knowledge around HOW to lift and carry a rider without dropping their back and creating back pain.

If we can retrain them to use their limbs symmetrically, which does take time, because we have been doing in hand work regularly to develop flexibility in body and limbs, our horse then has the ability and knowledge around how to use his body more effectively in a more organised manner.

Sometimes a break from ridden work can be hugely beneficial, while you work at this level with your horse - and afterwards you will see and feel SO MANY positive differences in how your horse moves!

Working at this level can literally solve a LOT of your ridden work issues! If you are working on posture and crookedness in a non-ridden way for a while, by the time you get back on board your horse, he will be strengthened and retrained in such a way that he is able to offer you his best, because his body has been developed and strengthened in a new way!

We need to build a strong, stable, yet flexible platform to sit on - and all of the exercises and strategies mentioned in this series will provide you with an ongoing foundation level of work that you can keep within your horses routine, to maintain symmetry and good posture, long term!

***Ready to learn even more...?! If you have enjoyed this series around Developing Correct Movement in the horse, you will be pleased to learn that I have put together a NEW ONLINE COURSE which covers all of these movement lessons in much more detail PLUS all of my 'go-to' exercises that I use for each of the movement issues that have been covered in this Blog series! So it's basically my magic system!! CLICK HERE FOR COURSE DETAILS: Developing Correct Movement Online Course

Movement lessons include: ‘Mobilise-Activate-Strengthen’ as a training concept, heavy on the forehand, why we seek ‘long and low’ posture, the fine line between ‘working over the back’ and ‘being on the forehand’, moving on from ‘long and low’, training the hindlimbs, developing bend, developing symmetry in the horse, and linking to ridden work. The detail about all of these movement issues/patterns AND how to improve them with specific exercises and training strategies!

When we worked on all of this in the members group recently, my members said everything ‘clicked into place’ in terms of what they work on with their horses…this training gave them the background understanding of WHY….why they are doing what they are doing! Basically you can do as many exercises as you like with your horse, but if you don’t know WHY you are doing them, it’s just monotonous and a bit empty!

Learning about your horses movement and treating the lessons as training goals, gives you a much more through understanding of what you’re aiming for within your exercise sessions! AND you are strengthening your horse correctly so that he is actually strong in enough in all the right places to carry a rider.

If you would like to learn more, click here for the course details: Developing Correct Movement Online Course

ANY QUESTIONS? Just contact me through the contact page here on my site!