tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85064985817863942092024-03-13T00:24:05.544-07:00Horses With RachelAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-7930891642512600382017-01-24T06:33:00.000-08:002017-01-24T06:35:47.081-08:00Winter Inspiration<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Here in New England, we've still got at least a few more weeks of winter, and for many of us this means little or no riding. But just because it's too cold for breeches and boots doesn't mean we can't help our horses stay in good shape! Below is a list of exercises which are easily done in a stall or aisle way, when it is just too cold or icy to go out.</span><br />
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...but first, a quick announcement:</div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;">On <b><i>Friday, February 17th, at 6 PM</i></b> I'll be giving a presentation on the elements of balance in the horse. It will take place at <b>Upper Main Farm, 49 North St, Hatfield, MA</b>.This <i>free</i> event is a fun, low-key way to learn to recognize and promote healthy movement and reduce resistance. If you've already seen the presentation, come again for a refresher!</li>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>And now for some inspiration!</b></span></div>
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<i>Those of you who have worked with me may find these exercises familiar. If you don't know them yet and would like to learn, drop me a line! Some of the simpler exercises are described below in case you'd like to try them on your own. For others, I've given tips for getting the most out of the exercise. They are divided into two categories: releasing tension, and building strength. Each session with your horse should contain elements of both! Many of these exercises are drawn from <a href="http://www.ttouch.com/" target="_blank">TTouch</a> or <a href="http://www.connectedriding.com/" target="_blank">Connected Groundwork</a>. Special thanks to Paula S. and her horses Grant and Telstar for modeling!</i></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Each horse has his own unique bracing patterns, which can become more and more ingrained into their bodies, preventing full range of motion and thus good balance. Recognizing and releasing tension is a crucial part of training a healthy, happy equine partner. Try one of these exercises to release tension, then step back and wait for the lick-and-chew!</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56Dn2Q9iKMEq1ViZ2Dw-HmUVhlCRrw0aD6BTiJRsXJ-xuuZG6G5rqutzDpwIH2pgE49oztmr6kAjVe368CyM43yGdczsRARfl4-JDq4HmOIXh9Ep-UZ1pVLPahZsx5EgdVmDZVE8NNMg/s1600/20161210_152934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56Dn2Q9iKMEq1ViZ2Dw-HmUVhlCRrw0aD6BTiJRsXJ-xuuZG6G5rqutzDpwIH2pgE49oztmr6kAjVe368CyM43yGdczsRARfl4-JDq4HmOIXh9Ep-UZ1pVLPahZsx5EgdVmDZVE8NNMg/s200/20161210_152934.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gentle massage</td></tr>
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<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Massage</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> Even if you aren't trained in the art of massage, you can help your horse's muscles. Start by grounding yourself and releasing your own tension. Then gently run soft hands over each of the horse's major muscle groups, either in long, sweeping strokes or in circles. Use light pressure and tune in to the texture of the tissue. Work your way over the whole body and pay close attention to the horse's responses. </span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Leg circles:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> Hold th</span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;">e horse's leg as though you were about to pick the foot. Ground yourself and release tension in your back. From your center (not your arms), move the horse's leg in circles parallel to the ground. Start with small, rapid circles and gradually progress to larger, slower circles as the horse releases. Slowly spiral the circle down towards the ground and release the foot when the toe touches down.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQJuzyl-Nrpyy3qyWpj4KLs3UiEp-FeUQUgR7GfFtOsgPtG-tRF3-X9W4ekCPQhwxCnQJx-tx3AfY6B7M9zfuT0Lfq7FQesCPs6h3dRa51s7baRY1p9zhIYYaPBHtKK3OoCGcFkHfH1M/s1600/20161210_150711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQJuzyl-Nrpyy3qyWpj4KLs3UiEp-FeUQUgR7GfFtOsgPtG-tRF3-X9W4ekCPQhwxCnQJx-tx3AfY6B7M9zfuT0Lfq7FQesCPs6h3dRa51s7baRY1p9zhIYYaPBHtKK3OoCGcFkHfH1M/s200/20161210_150711.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leg circle</td></tr>
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<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><u style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Cheek press</b></u><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>, </b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>spine roll, pelvic tilt, and tail work:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> these Connected Groundwork and TTouch techniques all help release tension in the horse's neck and back, greatly improving both performance and mood!</span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Front leg ligament release:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> Hold the horse's leg as though you were about to pick the foot. Ground yourself and release tension in your back. </span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;">Slowly release the hoof while holding the fetlock until the joint is fully extended. Then, support the hoof and lower the fetlock until it is below the hoof, and the joint is once again fully flexed. Once again, lower the hoof until the joint is extended again. Repeat until the hoof touches the ground. If the horse snatches the hoof upwards, repeat the exercise from the beginning.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Rib Press / rib release:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #222222;">start at the front with connection to the head, or at the back with connection to the tail. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GgHCM_IFT_o2mH50ygdr1XmvbenoUHkb-fNmw9D7sEgfsC9K5ldnKPLCOG-IXJluUD1yem8WWnR291AhjHDftqgjITAwwa24xHpdkiUE_zqfF3jJETBF1Fwk9OX92qrg8pjd29LE1ck/s1600/20161210_153602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GgHCM_IFT_o2mH50ygdr1XmvbenoUHkb-fNmw9D7sEgfsC9K5ldnKPLCOG-IXJluUD1yem8WWnR291AhjHDftqgjITAwwa24xHpdkiUE_zqfF3jJETBF1Fwk9OX92qrg8pjd29LE1ck/s200/20161210_153602.jpg" width="111" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scapula release</td></tr>
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<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Scapula release:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> Pick up the horse's front foot and hold the pastern with your outside hand, keeping the foot high. With your inside hand, reach in-between the horse's front legs and take hold of the back of the horse's elbow. Ground yourself and release your back. Move the elbow in an oval, mostly front to back with a little side to side. Start small and gradually increase the size of the oval. Keep the motion smooth. If there is resistance, use smaller ovals. </span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Platform stands:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> Teach your horse to put his front feet up on a board or platform then lower his head. This is a great way to stretch many important muscle groups! If your horse is very tight, start with a small platform, like a thick board. Be sure it is strong and level.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"><b>MAINTAINING STRENGTH</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94V3lZMom-bDSxqJxKp72W4qL579UALspA7obQQNN5-yKu6Kdp9W9Fdjr2_kqPJ-_YSvMdkrBI547bMXz56hU3ZaUnoeWmJTJQYvZGxZ4nL6CZKxXuyPcQjXkzCNb-O4U8HijMpzOf1g/s1600/20161210_145811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94V3lZMom-bDSxqJxKp72W4qL579UALspA7obQQNN5-yKu6Kdp9W9Fdjr2_kqPJ-_YSvMdkrBI547bMXz56hU3ZaUnoeWmJTJQYvZGxZ4nL6CZKxXuyPcQjXkzCNb-O4U8HijMpzOf1g/s200/20161210_145811.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neck lift</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23QNg-KzIchmtKC1Gl3DWhmynZysG9S60LlEUgBoxGp2yyNxvd4P3t9x_F_oTrHBw83VcZ2ULXLSabTn88hHuLREuS5d70XzDwQNUjH0Ouw9e_AiQIAndC4t4p2M-HZoI6hz9WvEDGBE/s1600/20161210_145934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23QNg-KzIchmtKC1Gl3DWhmynZysG9S60LlEUgBoxGp2yyNxvd4P3t9x_F_oTrHBw83VcZ2ULXLSabTn88hHuLREuS5d70XzDwQNUjH0Ouw9e_AiQIAndC4t4p2M-HZoI6hz9WvEDGBE/s200/20161210_145934.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back lift</td></tr>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Neck lifts, back lifts, lower back lifts, and pelvic crunches:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> These exercises involve finding your horse's trigger points. Once you've found them, ask for the horse to engage a little higher and a little longer each time, gradually building strength and endurance.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"><u><b>Wall sits:</b></u></span><span style="color: #313131; font-size: 12pt;"> This exercise involves teaching the horse to back up towards the wall, shift their weight back, and release their neck forward. If you've never done it before, be sure to learn this highly valuable technique from an experienced trainer.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><u>Transitions:</u></span></b><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;"> Even the shortest aisle is long enough for a horse to walk a few steps, halt, back up, and walk on again. Be sure your horse is light in the hand, using a wand if necessary to keep the horse from rushing or lagging. Once the horse is </span><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">halting</span><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">, </span><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">backing, and walking on softly,</span><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;"> try going directly from backing to walking to backing again!</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b style="text-decoration: underline;">Obstacle Course:</b> Got poles? Cones? What about a tarp? During low-traffic times, set up a course in the aisle and work your horse's brain along with his body. (Just make sure chores are over and all tools are safely stowed!)</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Do you have other exercises which have helped you and your equine companion stay strong and limber while cooped up inside? Drop me a line and tell me about it!</span></div>
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<i>Happy horsing around!</i></div>
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<i>Best,</i></div>
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<i>Rachel</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-78410335357623323172016-10-01T19:14:00.000-07:002016-10-01T19:14:09.369-07:00EXCITING NEWS!Hello friends, I have exciting news! Later this month, I will be teaming up with Jo Bunny, yoga teacher and masseuse, for a full day of transformative instruction! Hosted by the Hampshire Country Riding Club, this clinic will help horses and riders connect like never before. I hope you can join us!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Partnership
Through B</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ody Awareness</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>A
Clinic with </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Jo
Bunny and </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Rachel
Hackett </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Presented
by the Hampshire County Riding Club</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">S</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">atur</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">day,
October </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">29</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
from 9-4</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">HCRC
Grounds</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Goshen,</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
MA</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Club
members $125</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Non-members
$150</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In
this full-day clinic, riders will </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">learn
basic yoga techniques, as well as groundwork and mounted exercises,
to enhance their partnership with their horses. Unlock your ability
to move with your horse, and find balance together! No yoga
experience is needed. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Riders
of any discipline are welcome!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> Space
is limited </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to 10
participants,</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> so register
now by </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">emailing lisekrieger@comcast.net</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breathing
more freely and clearing the mind</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> of
distractions can help you feel more</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">relaxed
and less tense while on the horse. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">By
reducing physical and mental tension, we can give clearer aids and
achieve greater freedom of motion.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Learn to use your body and breath to inspire your horse!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>J</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>o
Bunny</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">is
a Certified Yoga Instructor and Licensed Massage Therapist for both
Horses and Humans in the Pioneer Valley. She has taught yoga in Texas
and Massachusetts since 2000. Her workshops and classes take a fun,
heart-centered approach to yoga. Participants will experience various
ways in which Yoga (meditation, breathing, and body awareness) can be
used to increase relaxation and centeredness as well as to enhance
the relationship between Horse and Rider.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Rachel
Hackett</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> is a freelance
riding instructor and horse trainer in the Pioneer Valley and Central
Connecticut. Using a combination of Connected Riding, TTeam training,
and other techniques, she helps students in all disciplines and
levels to achieve softness and balance. A graduate of Smith College
with four years on the Equestrian Team, Rachel has studied with Peggy
Cummings, Jill Kreinbring MS, and Kim Walnes. </span></span>
</div>
</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-91303998742420362572016-08-13T09:41:00.003-07:002016-08-13T09:42:06.167-07:00Stirrup length makes all the differenceOnce a week, I ride a Quarter Horse named Nicky. (He's the grey in the banner, above.) He and I go way back; when his owner was a young girl of 11 or 12, she began taking lessons from me at a local riding school. A couple of years later, I was leasing a small barn, and she was ready to buy a horse. So together we trooped around New England, looking at horses. We found Nicky at a sales barn in VT, with the help of my trainer, Jillian Kreinbring. We brought him home, and I've been helping his family keep him happy and fit ever since.<br />
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Last night, Nicky and I had the best ride we've ever had.</div>
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Many things went into making last night great. My recent return to an old habit of bodywork (not just groundwork but actual massage and dynamic stretching) before and after each workout helped. So has an increased emphasis on working him harder, getting him stronger. It also didn't hurt that last night was our third day in a row working together. But the single most influential change, the thing that helped me ride him more effectively than I ever have before, was this:</div>
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I shortened my stirrups.</div>
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I was both thrilled and chagrined at how much of a difference this made. Elated, because of how good it felt to help Nicky move forward more freely. Embarrassed, because I know better than to ride too long. For years, I've been encouraging my students to shorten their stirrups, and seeing the wonderful results they've achieved; the improved position and communication which can result from even as small a shift as half an inch. Though not every rider is guilty of extra long leathers, the vast majority of us have allowed our 'normal length' to get longer and longer. So what is the correct length, and why is it important?</div>
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For the vast majority of riders, a correctly adjusted stirrup should hit them in the ankle bone when they drop it. This is true whether you ride English, Western, even Dressage. This length allows your ankle, knee and hip to have peak flexibility. Any longer than this, and the thigh is drawn in and back, which in turn pulls the pelvis into a slight forward tilt. This creates tension in the lower back and inner thigh, blocking correct motion through the horse's back and rib cage. With your stirrup adjusted correctly, you can release through the thigh and the lower back at the same time, sitting on your seat bones with a long spine, and allowing your horse's energy to flow from the hind end to the front end.</div>
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So why doesn't everyone ride with their stirrups adjusted correctly? For many, it is a style issue. Especially when it comes to Western and Dressage, the trend is for an extremely long leg. But while this creates an elegant aesthetic picture, it is an exaggeration; it mimics a leg which appears long because it is relaxed. But instead of creating relaxation, the longer stirrup actually creates tension.</div>
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Another reason people may choose to lengthen their stirrups is for comfort. Many riders (myself included!) can experience discomfort in their knees and hips on a long ride. The fix for this, though, is not to lengthen the leathers, but rather to lengthen one's spine. By finding a neutral pelvis, releasing tension in your lower back, and allowing your knees and toes to roll away from the horse, you can align your joints such that they experience a lot less strain while still enjoying the support of a correctly adjusted stirrup.</div>
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Last night, my stirrup kept my leg at just the right angle, so I could utilize the crease where my thigh met my hip. Every time I creased at this spot, Nicky was able to reach his hind legs further under him, lift his back, and go forward more smoothly. Since he has a tendency to get 'stuck' on the forehand, this was a wonderful feeling for both of us! I no longer felt like I was chasing him, or that my leg aids were being ignored. Instead, sensations that I'd been seeking for months, even years, were suddenly available to me. I could release my lower back, and keep it relaxed while still giving leg aids. I could rotate without Nicky leaning in on my knee. Suddenly the horse who inverts and offers to buck when asked for trot was trotting figures of eight while swinging freely through his legs and back! I can't wait to get back out there next week and ride him again!</div>
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Questions? Comments? Want me to help you find a more comfortable, effective position in the saddle? Contact me anytime at <a href="mailto:rhackett.equine@gmail.com">rhackett.equine@gmail.com.</a></div>
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Best,</div>
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Rachel</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-32693534838215915122016-07-23T13:44:00.001-07:002016-07-23T13:44:29.234-07:00An email conversation about lunging<i>My friend and student Lisa lives in Pepperell, MA, so we don't see each other often. In order for her to get her questions answered, we've begun corresponding about them via email. After writing back to her the other day, I decided to share our Q & A with all of you. Please feel free to add a question or comment of your own, or email me with another topic!</i><br />
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<i> In her last email, Lisa asked:</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i>
1) What are the main "goals" we are trying to accomplish with lunging?<br />
2) What is the optimal equipment? What's acceptable equipment?<br />
-Connected riding halter, which you said you'd don't like for lunging<br />
-Lunge cavesson, which I don't own, but could buy<br />
-Surcingle (which I own) - would be used for long lining.<br />
-Regular bridle, and if so, do you prefer lunge line to go over the poll, or under the chin? If under the chin,
[one trainer I've worked with] has people loop the lunge line around the inside bit ring before passing the
line under the chin so that the line doesn't pull the bit as much.
<i> </i><br />
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<i>And I answered, </i><br />
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Okay, lunging:<br />
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1) The goals and priorities of lunging depend on the horse. In general, though, lunging should provide an opportunity for the horse to get exercise and education in a way that promotes softness, balance, and confidence. Proper posture MUST be prioritized throughout. The only exception to this rule is the rare occasion when one must prioritize leadership. For example, many horses on the lunge line will suddenly stop and pivot on their front feet to face the handler. (This is usually preceded by the handler getting ahead of the horse and out of the driving position.) This is a challenge of authority, and when the handler sees it coming, they need to use body language or occasionally the lunge whip to keep the horse's shoulders on the track and keep them moving forward. This sometimes results in the horse throwing their head up and tightening their topline for a moment. All efforts should be made after the fact to get the horse soft and long again as soon as possible, and avoid making this mistake in the future. It is also worth noting that if the horse is going to such great lengths to challenge the handler who is asking them to go forward, they are probably pretty unhappy about being asked to go forward, either because they don't feel right in their bodies, or in the relationship.<br />
I feel I should go into detail here a bit with regard to posture. One crucial element of good posture is a slight bend, or flexion. (Like what we ask for with a cheek press*, or when we ask a horse to 'walk the S.'*) Without this gesture, a horse cannot be in self-carriage. The temptation, then, is to continually ask for the inside bend while lunging. This is nearly impossible for a horse to do, unless they have built the required strength and flexibility over a very long period of time. The alternative is to ask the horse for an occasional outside bend. This can be achieved simply by the handler gesturing towards the horse's shoulders for two or three strides to move them out. (There are other ways but this is the simplest.) This should happen no less than 3 or 4 times a circle at the walk and once or twice at the trot, depending on the size of the circle. If the horse or handler doesn't know how to utilize both bends on a circle yet, then groundwork with changes of bend should be executed after no more than 5 minutes of lunging, after which it's time to change direction.<br />
Another element of creating good posture is physical input from the handler. In other words, there's very little sense in having the horse go round and round without the kind of support a good yoga teacher offers with occasional assists. Everyone has their own way of doing this: Peggy [Cummings] with her combing and sliding*, and meeting and melting*, and also body awareness exercises at the halt and walk; Manolo [Mendez] with his long bamboo cane, tapping or supporting different spots; Linda [Tellington-Jones] with her body wraps, and also her wand, stroking and pointing. Even just using ones body language, one can activate different parts of the horse. The important thing is that the handler should be involved in the dance, supporting the horse and helping it release tension and move more freely.<br />
It is also important to note that anything fixed will result in tension in the horse. This is obvious when one thinks about equipment, like side reins or tie downs, but also applies to the size and shape of the circle. To prevent physical (and mental) fatigue and tension, alternate between going long, then shrinking the circle to 15 metres, etc. It's important to mix it up, and to do it without creating resistance in the horse. Just like riding, we have to be careful not to drag the horses around by their heads, and instead guide and support them with our whole bodies. If they are heavy on the line, or the handler is muscling them around that way, remedial work for both handler and horse is immediately in order.<br />
A side benefit of lunging is that moving the horse forward off of our own body language creates a certain authority that can put the horse very much at ease. It puts the handler in a position to be the one to decide how to respond to a potential threat, and most horses like knowing that we are 'on it'. It also shows them, when done well, that we 'speak horse', since movement is their primary form of expression. For this reason I usually don't do much lunging until I've had a chance to do liberty work, but even without the aid of a round pen, we can get a lot done on a loose line with very clear and concise physical directions coming from the human. I believe a lunge whip can be very useful in this context when used with finesse.<br />
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2) Optimal equipment is anything that a) attaches directly in the center of the nasal bone b) fits the head snugly such that it won't rotate out of place when a contact is taken. The best example of this is an Iberian lunging cavesson (like Manolo [Mendez] uses). I don't have one of those, so I take my Connected Groundwork halter and tie the rope directly to the center of the noseband when I want to lunge. (If you do this be sure to tie a knot at the far end or the whole thing can slide right through your hands.) You'll note that what the two have in common is a jowl strap as opposed to a throatlatch. The latter can be attached snugly, preventing the equipment from sliding into the horse's eye; the former has to be left loose because of the windpipe, and thus requires that the chinstrap be cranked down to keep the equipment in place. This isn't ideal because it creates tension in the jaw.
I would never lunge in a regular bridle unless I could clip or tie the longe line to the noseband, which sort of defeats the purpose. I suppose it is possible to teach the horse to respond correctly to the pressure of the lunge line on the bit, but it is much more likely to result in tension in the jaw and poll, and twisting in the neck.<br />
Surcingles are great for attaching bodywraps or therabands, or for ground driving/ long lining. They don't need to be used every time. All the previous ideas apply for long lining. It's crucial to do the groundwork first to make sure that the horse understands how to release at the poll and lengthen their neck in the direction of the rein aid. Long lining can be done in a regular bridle, or a Connected Groundwork halter, and is often a great way to help the horse integrate their Connected Groundwork. If long lining is done with a bit, in-hand work to create correct (soft) response to the bit should come first. Here's an example of the beginning of that process [from Mark Russell]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w5NV6bwtrY<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading. Happy lunging!</i><br />
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<i>Best,</i><br />
<i>Rachel</i><br />
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<i> </i> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*cheek press, walking the S, combing and sliding, and meeting and melting are all copyrighted <a href="http://www.connectedriding.com/">Connected Groundwork</a> terms. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-88221114450178837802016-07-12T05:31:00.001-07:002016-07-12T05:39:39.959-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Looking for an opportunity to see what <span style="color: #20124d;">Horses with Rachel</span> is all about? Here you go!<br />
<br />
Join us Saturday for the next Upper Main Farm Learning Circle!<br />
Combine the personalized instruction of a private lesson with the
camaraderie and learning opportunities of a group! We meet in the tack
room at 3 for a brief introduction to biomechanics, then decide on a
riding order. Before and after their lesson, students learn from
watching other riders. We finish up with potluck dinner in the tack
room! Message me to sign up or audit.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">OR, check out this FREE EVENT:</span><br />
<span id="goog_404849845"></span><span id="goog_404849846"></span><br />
<span id="goog_1094545952"></span><span id="goog_1094545953"></span>
<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eT-Klqhs8J0AJhuJFcYqlyLL6U4SCqLIY1HSWu1Z5tI/pub?embedded=true" width = "400" height = "800"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-83695023250635278712016-05-04T05:49:00.000-07:002016-05-04T06:27:51.511-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">There are still a couple of spots available in this clinic. Don't miss this opportunity to understand and improve your horse's way of going!</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Barre Riding and Driving Club & Horses with Rachel
present:</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Taking
the Struggle out of Horse Training</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
clinic with Rachel Hackett</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sunday May
15<sup>th</sup>, 9-4, Felton Field, Barre MA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Do you want to develop your
horse into a healthy, balanced, comfortable partner for riding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">If so t</span>hen this clinic is for you. Learn to <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">better recognize <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">and promote corre<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">ct<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> motion, both on the ground and <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">under saddle. Help your horse relax and go forward with ease!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sign up<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> for th<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">e day and bring your ho<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">rse, or come to audit!</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">For rates and information, c</span>ontact:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lynne Goodnow 978-544-3773,
<a href="mailto:lgoodnow@yahoo.com">lgoodnow@yahoo.com</a> or Jane Lynds, <a href="mailto:lyndsrjsb@aol.com">lyndsrjsb@aol.com</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-3780375539319911372016-03-06T08:36:00.000-08:002016-04-15T08:18:20.859-07:00Three upcoming clinicsIf you're interested in one of these clinics, it's time to register to hold your spot! Email me if you have any questions. Thanks!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Three exciting clinics to get you and your horse working together!</i></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Horse-Human Mind-Body Connection: Spring Tune Up!</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
Clinic with Rachel Hackett at Full of Grace Farm</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Saturday,
May 1<sup>st</sup> from 9-4, Full of Grace Farm, Hadley MA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURpmck07zoHVmZ4W_gaJK-4BcAFXPT5sUbtDOxizXn7tNueNoHvP0QxRqrM4Gev3LWPzN6UNuzxWF2EpryXfp2IvCbre43REOdo0mCch8W138rZ6KrVNjuQmA99kSnY8_vk0O9rz7_eo/s1600/gwork+with+Nick+sept+2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURpmck07zoHVmZ4W_gaJK-4BcAFXPT5sUbtDOxizXn7tNueNoHvP0QxRqrM4Gev3LWPzN6UNuzxWF2EpryXfp2IvCbre43REOdo0mCch8W138rZ6KrVNjuQmA99kSnY8_vk0O9rz7_eo/s320/gwork+with+Nick+sept+2015.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-IeBfEjQtm7HAOXtTYHAyOIxLhYTYoa5mfWW2J6HjpXnNus_e0WfP93im5gCmonNrQ0dRs72EI84pPXoQwIlr9QD6adx509U9tA9TvjS7k34doY-SlzA0rUekQ5lvlai3VYPFLO3Zxk/s1600/gwork+with+Nick+sept+2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Start the season with softness! In
this full-day clinic, riders will learn how to promote self-carriage in their
horses, by releasing tension and finding spinal alignment in both horse and
rider. Both will gain confidence and better balance. Riders of any discipline
are welcome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A limited number of horses and
stalls are available for lease for the day from Full of Grace Farm.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">For more information, please
contact Laura Litterer at 413-244-3785 or <a href="mailto:fullofgracefarm@gmail.com">fullofgracefarm@gmail.com</a>.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">________________________________________________________________________________ </span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Barre Riding and Driving Club & Horses with Rachel
present:</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Taking
the Struggle out of Horse Training</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
clinic with Rachel Hackett</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sunday May
15<sup>th</sup>, 9-4, Felton Field, Barre MA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Ever
feel that you are not in sync with your horse, or there is something that is
just not clicking but you don’t know why? Want better softness and
balance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you want to develop your
horse into a healthy, balanced, comfortable partner for riding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">If so t</span>hen this clinic is for you.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Contact:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lynne Goodnow 978-544-3773,
<a href="mailto:lgoodnow@yahoo.com">lgoodnow@yahoo.com</a> or Jane Lynds, <a href="mailto:lyndsrjsb@aol.com">lyndsrjsb@aol.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">________________________________________________________________________________</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Path to Softness </span></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
Clinic with Rachel Hackett at Upper Main Farm</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Saturday,
June 11<sup>th</sup>, 9-4, Upper Main Farm, Hatfield MA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In order to be properly balanced,
the horse must know how to soften through his topline. We’ve all heard this
before, but what does it really mean, and how do we get there? Learn how to
see, feel, and create softness in your horse on the ground and under saddle at
this full day clinic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Contact <a href="mailto:rhackett.equine@gmail.com">rhackett.equine@gmail.com</a> for more
information.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-88243396348120342672016-02-26T05:51:00.002-08:002016-02-26T05:51:55.732-08:00We're at it again at Upper Main Farm!On Saturday, March 12th we're having another Upper Main Farm Learning Circle, and you're invited!<br />
<br />
Does your horse need a spring tune-up? Are you tired of riding alone? Do you enjoy watching other people's lessons? Then this one's for you!<br />
<br />
Each participant will be assigned a half hour lesson time, after
which they can ride independently and practice on their own. Everyone is
encouraged to watch each others lessons, then stay for potluck dinner
in the tack room!<br />
<br />
The cost is $35. Students trailering in will
also need to bring a $20 ring fee and a negative Coggins. To reserve
your space, buy a ticket on Eventbrite, or give Rachel a $10 deposit in person, up
to 3 days before the Learning Circle. All balances are due on the day
of the event.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you there!<br />
<br />
https://uppermainmarch12.eventbrite.com <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-78274921729189303202016-02-03T18:55:00.001-08:002016-02-03T18:55:19.134-08:00Less Is More<span style="font-size: small;">Last night I had two marvelous lessons. They were both with horses and students I'd never worked with before, so much of the mounted time was spent helping the riders find a neutral pelvis, and begin learning to use it to move with their horses. In both cases, the results were phenomenal.<br /><br />In the first lesson, the horse was a 7 year old Warmblood. Tall, leggy, and goofy, this horse had plenty of reach through his neck, but very little engagement behind. He lacked 'swing,' didn't bother to flex his lumbo-sacral joint, and dragged his hind toes on the ground. This all changed, though, when his rider put her back in the back, let her upper body buoy forward, and allowed her thighs and knees to roll out with the rhythmic motion of his barrel.* Suddenly, he was visibly lighter in the withers, and the sound of his hind feet kicking sand ceased. <br /><br />An even more exciting change came when we began working at the trot. Because of her horse's tendency to lack impulsion, the rider had developed a habit of posting very actively, moving her lower leg dramatically with every stride to try to urge him on. This in turn led to her hollowing her lower back and gripping with her knees. When she softened her back, quieted her posting, and released her thighs, all of the sudden her horse began swinging through his back! His plodding, laborious trot became springy, buoyant, and free! His back and hindquarters were visibly more mobile. It was a joy to behold.<br /><br />The second lesson was completely different. In this case, the horse was a small mare, with a tendency to be quick and spooky. I nonetheless began the ride by helping her rider get into neutral and find the forward buoy, but in this case, it was to promote soft, quiet, organized motion, instead of the mare's habitual hyperactivity. <br /><br />We were in an indoor arena, and every time the mare would go by the end with the doors (read, bogeyman,) her head would go up, her step would quicken, and she'd come out of the corner crooked and tense. At least, this was true until her rider stopped trying to correct her, and instead unified her upper body (taking the wiggle out of her middle*) and found the forward buoy. This allowed the mare to soften her back under her rider's now-quiet seat, and go by the doors without panic, with a long neck and an even stride. Good girl!<br /><br />The next challenge was to correct the mare's tendency to drift off the rail on the long side. Once again, her rider was valiantly trying to guide her horse using inside leg aids, but this was causing tightness in her thigh and lower back, and her upper body was getting stuck behind the motion. As soon as she concentrated on maintaining her buoy and following the swing in her horse's barrel, the drifting stopped, because the mare could no longer brace against the rider's tight knee and thigh, and instead felt encouraged to go forward evenly by the rider facilitating the rhythm!<br /><br />What do these two rides have in common? Both horses benefited from their riders doing LESS. Instead of constantly using aids to correct their horse's habits, all these riders did was get out of the way. In so doing, they helped the horses break their habits of habitual tension which were causing the problematic behavior (ie, lack of impulsion, spookiness, crookedness, etc).<br /><br />When we struggle against our horses with our muscles, it gives them something to brace against. It makes them tight. This causes pretty much every problem you can think of; too fast, too slow, cutting corners, refusing fences, you name it, a tight topline is involved. Thankfully there is a better way! When we learn to ride in a neutral pelvis, breathe into our backs,* and offer our aids without compromising our own balance, our horses can perform to their full potential with joy and ease.<br /><br />Many thanks to my new students and their horses for their hard work last night, and to all of my students for constantly inspiring me!<br /><br />Happy riding,<br />Rachel</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />*This is a Connected Riding (TM) concept, created by Peggy Cummings. www.connectedriding.com. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-72800583613868435472016-01-06T18:54:00.002-08:002016-01-06T18:54:57.825-08:00Lessons at Upper Main Farm in Hatfield, MAHello Friends! I have exciting news. I am now officially the in-house trainer for <a href="http://berkshireanimalchiropractic.info/upper-main-farm.html">Upper Main Farm</a> in Hatfield, MA!<br />
<br />
<span>Upper Main Farm is a beautiful and well-equipped boarding and training facility. The farm is operated by two chiropractors, Dr. Emmanuel Gonzales
and Dr. Jill Esz Smith. Dr Smith is certified by the American Veterinary
Chiropractic Association and currently runs Berkshire Animal
Chiropractic and Sports Therapy. Together, we are building a supportive, multi-disciplinary lesson program with a special focus on individualized training and healthy biomechanics.</span><br />
<span><span><br /></span></span>
<span><span>On Sunday we're launching a new approach to riding lessons. </span></span>Ever wished you could combine the one-on-one attention of a private
lesson with the learning and socializing opportunities of a group, at a
supportive and well-equipped facility? Now you can!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/o/rachel-hackett-8545960885" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.eventbrite.com/o/rachel-hackett-8545960885</a><br />
<br />
I hope you can join us, if not on Sunday, then for the next one!<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
RachelAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-34114188327981678302015-12-10T16:24:00.000-08:002015-12-10T16:24:11.160-08:00Is your horse's lower back tight? Horses in regular work tend to have occasional soreness and muscle tension. In order to prevent these issues from becoming injuries, or creating behavioral problems, we have to help the horse work out the knots and move forward freely and evenly. But sometimes, it's difficult to find the root of the problem, especially since any discomfort can quickly lead to inversion and crookedness and thus a whole list of body parts being used incorrectly. Here are four telltale signs that your horse's lower back is tight, and preventing him from carrying himself (and you) comfortably in good balance.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1) A hollow appearance behind the saddle:</b><br />
<br />
The area of the horse's back directly behind the saddle is called the loin, and it is vulnerable to stress because it is unsupported; it has no ribs underneath it like the middle of the back does. When your horse is being ridden, if he is using his body correctly, the loin should appear full, and be at the same height as the croup. However, if the horse is tight in this area, it will appear low behind the saddle, and will slope upwards towards the croup. <br />
<br />
<b>2) He's dragging his nose on the ground while longeing:</b><br />
<br />
When you longe your horse, if he is comfortable and relaxed, he will carry his head such that his eye is no higher than his withers, and no lower than the point of his shoulder. However, if his lower back is tight, he may seek to release it by stretching his neck down so far that his lip is practically dragging in the dirt. At the same time, he'll be taking small strides with his hind feet. If your horse does this frequently, and especially if he gets grumpy at you when you get after him to pick up his head and move forward, it is very likely that his lower back is the culprit.<br />
<br />
<b>3) He has a flat neck when asked to stretch out and down:</b><br />
<br />
In an effort to lengthen our horses' toplines, we often do exercises on the ground and under saddle to encourage horses to reach through the neck, telescoping into the contact and lifting the base of the neck in a graceful arch. If, despite correct training techniques, your horse consistently has a flat neck; if his response to you combing the line or lengthening your reins is to extend his forehead away from his body while refusing to lift the base of the neck, his lower back may be too tight to allow him to lift his front end and thus shift his weight back onto his hind end.<br />
<br />
<b>4) He is unable to release at the poll:</b><br />
<br />
Many horses benefit from being asked to flex slightly left and right at the poll. When done correctly, without the horse twisting its head sideways, this exercise promotes softness through the whole topline. This is usually where I start when asking horses to begin releasing and rebalancing, and I have discovered that horses who are tight in their lower backs also have a very hard time releasing behind their ears. Frequently, I have to address this lower back tension before horses can respond correctly to the request that they release at the poll.<br />
<br />
<b>Now what?</b><br />
<br />
If your horse has one or more of these symptoms of lower back tension, don't panic! You can help. There are many methods of bodywork which can relieve muscle tension. I recommend Connected Groundwork exercises, especially Pelvic Tilt and Sacral Rock. TTouch can also be very helpful, as can stretching the horse's hind legs. Experiment with different methods to find what works for you and your horse.<br />
In addition to incorporating a little bodywork into your warmup and cool down, take steps to teach your horse to use his lower back correctly. Do groundwork before riding and ask the horse to reach his hind legs underneath him with his belly lifted, instead of with his back down. Then have someone watch you ride, and tell you whether your horse is hollow, or lifted, in the loin. If he's hollow, try releasing tension in your own lower back and hips. Give your leg aids with your joints free and active, instead of bracing or locking. And of course, make sure your saddle fits!<br />
Learning to care for your horse's lower back will help ensure that you and your horse can enjoy healthy, happy riding time for many years to come!<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Rachel<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-43986682175932006362015-11-01T15:39:00.002-08:002015-11-01T15:39:32.360-08:00Clinic at Full of Grace, Oct 25, '15, afternoon lesson<br />
<br />
Here are some clips from the afternoon of my recent clinic at Full of Grace Farm. Enjoy!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ouQcw0soZZk" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-12578297645284082862015-09-27T07:29:00.001-07:002015-10-17T05:12:56.334-07:00The Horse-Human Mind-Body Connection ClinicYou can now register for the clinic by visiting Eventbrite! Follow this link to reserve your space now!<br />
<br />
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-partnership-through-better-balance-tickets-19110644452<br />
<br />
I invite you to my upcoming clinic, on October 25 from 9-4! View the flyer at the bottom of this post.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>To register</u><br />
(1) Download and print the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw6aNDewvLIsOGRoNUJYb2FUd0U/view?usp=sharing">waiver</a> and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw6aNDewvLIsZHZmLVJBZXY0OFE/view?usp=sharing">registration</a> forms.<br />
<br />
(2) Make check payable to:<br />
J&L Equine<br />
<br />
(3) Send check and forms to: <br />
107 Brookline ave, Holyoke, MA 01040<br />
<br />
<iframe height="640" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw6aNDewvLIsSE9QMl9ZeVRIUEU/preview" width="480"></iframe>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-40869384503529794282015-09-02T15:09:00.000-07:002015-09-08T15:46:31.307-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Try This At Home!</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This article first appeared on the articles page of my website. I'm rearranging things and decided to post it to the blog for those of you who haven't seen it yet. Give it a try and post a comment or drop me a line! </i></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
Below
are three 'lessons' you can do on your own or with the help of a friend.
After doing all three, you should have a better sense of how to create
good movement and attitude in your horse by working together with him,
instead of against him, when giving your aids. Please feel free to email me about
your experience!<br />
<br />
All of these concepts are a combination of <a href="http://www.connectedriding.com/" target="_blank">Connected Riding</a>, created by Peggy Cummings; <a href="http://www.ttouch.com/" target="_blank">TTeam</a>, created by Linda Tellington-Jones; and things I've learned from the horses and students I've worked with over the years. <br />
<br />
<b>Day 1</b>: Have someone lead you around
the arena or field, or down a fairly level trail, at a brisk walk. If
you don't have someone who can lead you, walk your horse on a long rein
with minimal aids.<br />
<br />
Feel your seatbones underneath you.
Try to sit with your whole body stacked over your seatbones, without
arching your back or slouching.<br />
<br />
Close your eyes. Every
time your horse takes a step, allow your whole upper body to rock
forward gently on your seatbones. Instead of allowing your body to bend
at the waist to absorb the shock, let your upper body be one unit. Buoy*
forward gently with each step.<br />
<br />
If buoying takes effort,
try relaxing your lower back and allowing your seatbones to sink just a
little bit deeper underneath you.You may also need to float your
sternum forward just slightly so you are not behind the motion. For
those of you who are accustomed to an equitation position, this may feel
slightly slouched. Allow yourself to find the position in which it is
easy to buoy, even if it's not what you're used to.<br />
<br />
Now
allow your thighs to completely relax and roll away from the horse.
Take a few deep breaths and melt any tension or muscle engagement in
your hips, your inner thighs, and the backs of your legs. You will feel
your knee come away from the saddle slightly. (This is a good thing!)<br />
<br />
Feel
how every time the horse takes a step, he rolls one of your thighs up
and out, and then the other. Allow this motion. Encourage it with your
mind, but don't use your muscles to 'do' it; let the horse do it for
you.<br />
<br />
Now go back to feeling the buoy in your upper
body. If you feel unsteady, exhale firmly and feel your core strengthen.
These are your stabilizing muscles. Any time you feel unsteady, repeat
this breath to engage your core, but don't forget to inhale! Next
release your back and hips again to allow you to keep buoying forward with
every step.<br />
<br />
Go back and forth between feeling the upper
body buoying forward effortlessly with each step of the horse, and
feeling your thigh roll and your knee swing outwards on one side and
then the other. Notice your horse's response. Has his walk changed? What
about his attitude?<br />
<br />
Keep going for about ten minutes
with this exercise, closing your eyes periodically, then continue on
with the rest of your ride as normal.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2</b>:
Begin by walking your horse on a long rein. Find your buoy and allow
your legs to follow the rolling of your horse's barrel, just like Day 1.<br />
<br />
After
you've found the rhythm, experiment with turning up the volume in your
buoy just slightly for a maximum of three seconds, then relax back into
following mode. If you feel yourself start to become loose in your
middle, use your exhaling muscles to stabilize. What happens to your
horse's walk when you turn up the volume in your buoy?<br />
<br />
Next
try quieting your buoy. Don't resist the forward motion or get behind
the rhythm, but imagine your horse is buoying you forward with less
energy than he actually is. Feel this for only a few seconds, then
release it. How does your horse respond? <br />
<br />
Next try
turning up the volume in the rolling motion in your legs. Be aware of
not using your muscles to create the motion; just imagine your horse was
flexing your hip, knee and ankle joints more exuberantly than he is, for a maximum of three
seconds. Relax completely, then try it a few more times. What is your
horse's response?<br />
<br />
If you feel your lower leg start to
swing forward and back when you do this, take a deep breath and release
through your hip and thigh, allowing your knee to fall away from the
saddle again. Be aware of allowing the back of your thigh (your hamstring) to stay soft, even when you're turning up the volume in your leg.<br />
<br />
Now try quieting the motion in your legs.
Allow your lower leg to continue resting gently against your horse's
barrel, and continue following his motion with your joints, but imagine
your legs are full of molasses. How does this affect your horse's walk?<br />
<br />
Continue
these experiments for the first ten minutes of your ride, and note any
changes in your horse's demeanor. Then continue on with your ride as
normal.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 3</b>: By now you're probably starting
to feel how subtly you can influence your horse's motion, especially
when you first take a moment to become part of it. On this final day,
you'll use this ability to start helping your horse make a greater
connection from his front end to his hind end.<br />
<br />
Begin by
finding your buoy and allowing your leg to follow the rolling motion of
the horse. Remember that your seatbones need to be on the bottom, your
lower back and hips need to be relaxed, and your knee should be slightly
away from the saddle, or at least not gripping onto it.<br />
<br />
Pick
up your contact gently. Allow your elbows to rest at your sides, and
allow your wrists to be at the same height as your elbows, or slightly
higher. Quietly follow the motion of the horse's head and neck, so your
elbows 'swish' back and forth at your sides, but don't allow your elbow to go further forward than the front of your belly. Take a deep breath into
your back.<br />
<br />
Experiment with thinking 'up' through the
wrists for a couple of seconds, then relaxing. Don't 'drop' the contact
when you relax, just melt any tension in your arms. Allow your elbows
and shoulder blades to stay down as you think up only through the
contact. Be sure to continue participating in the walk with the rest of
your body as you invisibly connect with your horse through the reins.
Try this a few times; if your horse wants to stretch his neck down
afterwards, allow him to. After thinking 'up' through the contact while continuing to buoy through the body and roll through the legs, then releasing, a few times, does the walk
feel different?<br />
<br />
The next time you ride a corner or a
bend, try combining the elements you've been practicing: turn up the
volume in your leg, turn up the volume in your buoy, and think gently
'up' in your wrists as you look around the corner. Be sure to release
all of these sensations after a maximum of three seconds, and take a
moment to soften your hips and lower back again.<br />
<br />
Try
this again in the next corner. Look around the corner with your upper
body, slightly increase the energy in the walk, and think 'up' through
your wrists while staying grounded in your seat and elbows. Release, and
feel your horse soften as you come out of the turn. Did you feel him
bend in the corner? What is the quality of his walk now?<br />
<br />
If
you feel comfortable, try doing this exercise while looking to the
outside of the ring or circle for a few seconds, to get a counter-bend.<br />
<br />
After
each moment of looking around the bend, asking for more walk, and
thinking 'up,' your horse may want to stretch his neck. This is a really
good thing! It means that he is responding correctly to your aids, and
is feeling inspired to lengthen his topline. Be sure to let him slide
the reins through your fingers at this moment. You can gather them up
again when he's done. <br />
<br />
Spend about ten minutes on this
exercise at the walk, then continue with your ride. Throughout the
workout, when you give your aids, think about using as little effort as
possible. Give each aid for a maximum of three seconds, then release.<br />
<br />
After
the ride, think about how your horse responded. Was he lighter? More
supple? More responsive? Take note of your experience, and feel free to
share it here!<br />
<br />
*<span style="font-size: x-small;">"buoy" forward in the saddle is a Connected Riding trademark concept, created by Peggy Cummings. Find out more at <a href="http://www.connectedriding.com/">http://www.connectedriding.com</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-35813516109250416292015-06-03T20:34:00.001-07:002015-09-08T15:45:17.212-07:00Tips for riding downhill<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: small; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">It's trail season and that means... Hills!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hills are a great way to condition your horse. They work all the muscles involved in self-carriage and teach the horse to shift his weight longitudinally (from front to back). Moreover, they are an inevitable part of riding in New England, and many other parts of the world as well.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Riding uphill is pretty easy. You bend forward a bit at the hip to get out of the horse's way, grab mane if it's really steep, and the horse learns pretty readily to engage his hind end.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But going downhill, the horses don't balance quite as naturally, and frankly, neither do the riders. Tripping, slipping, rushing, jigging, fussing, and crookedness are common. Here's an explanation of why, as well as four tips for how to help your horse carry himself, and you, gracefully down a hill.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Why:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When a horse is going down a hill, he naturally inverts, dropping the base of his neck and his rib cage and taking short steps with his hind end. This is not a huge problem when he's riderless, but creates significant balance issues when the weight of the rider is added. When the horse is inverted, he can't shift weight very effectively from front to back, because his spine is locked. Only when he is using the muscles on the underside of his body to lift his spine, (a posture known as bascule, or self-carriage,) can he safely and gracefully navigate downhill while carrying weight.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As riders, it is our job to encourage the horse to balance properly. Here are the four most important things you can do to facilitate a balanced descent:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1: Lean forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I know, I know, sounds crazy, right?! We were all taught years ago to lean BACK when going downhill. And if you're the Man from Snowy River, this is probably a good idea. But for your average, everyday hill, if you want to keep your horse free through his spine, your spine must stay perpendicular to his, or slightly ahead of that line. When you lean back, you jam your seat bones into your horse's back, preventing him from lifting. You also tighten the muscles in your back, hips and knees, to hold yourself there. This makes it completely impossible for the horse to have flexibility in his back. What you want to do instead is find your seat bones, then float your upper </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">body forward as a unit until you are perpendicular to your horse or slightly ahead, right where you would be if your horse was on the level. Don't bend at the waist, just come forward at the hip, like two-point position. Make sure your thighs are relaxed and not gripping the saddle. Use your exhaling muscles to support you and to keep your spine long and stacked, just like you would if you were riding on flat ground. Allow your shoulder blades to stay active in your back to prevent hunching. If the hill is really steep, rest your hands on the horse, the pommel, or the horn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">By bending at the hip so completely, you allow your hips and thighs to continue following the motion of the horse's barrel, instead of locking and blocking the horse's ability to shift his weight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2: Keep your legs active.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The other benefit of breaking down at the hip is that it allows your leg to stay elastic and wrapped around the horse's barrel, instead of pushing down into the stirrup to keep you up. Just like on flat ground, your hip, knee and ankle should bend in concert, absorbing the movement of the horse every stride. This can not be achieved if you are leaning back and bracing your knees and hips against the motion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">With your free, active leg, you can encourage your horse to reach underneath himself with his hind legs. Just keep your calves resting gently against his sides as you bend at the hip, and occasionally turn up the volume slightly in the upward movement already happening in your thighs. As long as you stay long and tall in your spine, this motion in your legs will help your horse step deeply under himself and carry you surefootedly down the hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3: Maintain a light contact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When traveling down a hill, a horse is relying on his longitudinal balance; his ability to balance from front to back. As a rider, we can help the horse create an awareness of the connection from his front end to his hind end by maintaining contact in the reins. It doesn't matter if your horse is wearing a bit, a side pull, a bosal, a hackamore, or a halter; if you're providing a contact he can comfortably stretch his neck into, you will help your horse elongate his spine into a better balance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To be supportive and soft, allow your elbows to rest under your ears, next to your body. Bend your elbows and think of your wrists as light and buoyant. As the horse moves his head, maintain the contact by opening or closing your elbow. Keeping your wrists up will help your horse keep his front end light, and keeping your elbows next to your body will help you keep from bracing in your back and shoulders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">4. If your horse is still making mistakes under saddle down a hill, try doing some groundwork. Walk your horse down the hill in hand, asking him to halt and back up frequently. Tap him gently on the chest or under the base of his neck with a dressage whip in the halt transition if he has a tendency to pull or run through you. Slalom left and right to get him to bend, release his spine, and thus learn to stay loose coming down the hill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Taking the time to teach your horse to balance properly down the hill will go a long way towards improving his musculature, his behavior, and his confidence. Most importantly, it will make trail riding a lot more fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you have questions, don't hesitate to email me. Happy trail riding!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Best,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rachel</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-54007362123411947892015-04-28T04:18:00.001-07:002015-04-28T04:18:51.622-07:00<i>A thought for Tuesday morning...</i> <br />
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Lately I've been going to yoga class more often, and last night I was musing about a particular movement that is difficult for me. At first, I was thinking, 'I've got to try harder to get that right.' But as I thought about it more, I realized that if I obsessed about it, I'd get more and more tense as that movement approached in the sequence. What I need to do instead is learn to breathe through it. Let the breath be my guide, and let it help my body figure out how to do what I'm asking it to do.<br />
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It's the same with the horses. By fitting your aids into the rhythm of their breath and other natural movements, you can teach them to do anything. It's when they (we) stop breathing deeply that they become stiff, resistant, uncoordinated, and often, scared. <br />
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Having a clear picture of what you want your horse's body to do is also crucial. If you aren't sure how a particular movement should be performed, you should watch as many training sessions as you can at all levels with many different horses. Especially when performed with a trainer who knows how to teach the horse to breathe.<br />
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Lately I've taken my training sessions with my Thoroughbred, Julian, back to square one for this reason. He does everything I ask him to do, promptly, but he isn't present. He isn't breathing. (As you can imagine, this can devolve pretty quickly for both of us if something stressful happens.) So we're working on the ground (either in hand, on the longe, or at liberty) at walk and a little trot. We halt frequently so that I can ask him to tune in to me, soften, take a deep breath. He holds a lot of tension in his neck while working, so I'm helping him to learn to release it. We had reached a plateau with our work a couple of years ago, and now I realize, this is why. He wasn't breathing. It might sound boring to go back to basics like this, but I'm loving it, and I think he is too. It's not about results anymore; we are both more in the moment. We are becoming closer with every breath. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-42670882296980787862015-04-08T17:37:00.000-07:002015-04-08T17:37:44.086-07:00<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> This past Saturday I had some especially enjoyable lessons. 3 out of 4 were mounted, and all 4 began with in-hand work. We weren't doing anything fancy; just establishing soft flexion in each direction, showing them how to correctly respond to the contact. In-hand work also gave me and my students the opportunity to help the horses keep their shoulders organized, instead of dropping them in or out.</span><br />
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With the more advanced, well-balanced horses, we were asking for a bend in the direction we were traveling, then releasing it and asking for it again. With the greener, weaker horses, we would switch the bend frequently, walking a very shallow 's'. Each horse had a tougher side and an easier side, so every time the rider would switch directions or switch sides, s/he would have to tweak the approach in order to continue achieving softness. </div>
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This technique of asking for flexion and a slight bend, then releasing the request and asking either for the same bend again or for the opposite bend, allowed the horses to start learning how to release and re-release over the topline while moving. This allowed them to push from their hind ends and have the energy flow all the way through their bodies without getting stuck.</div>
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The need for softness in the neck in order to promote correct forward motion was the most striking with one particular horse. Maxx, a 4 year old (almost five!) gaited gelding, has a tendency to pop his shoulder to the left under saddle. On the ground, this manifests as a tendency to lock his jaw and upper neck to the right, meaning that instead of gently turning his head right and shifting his ribcage left when the handler lightly lifts the right rein, he instead likes to pop his neck right and his shoulder left, overbending at the base of the neck and staying tense behind his ears. This, of course, completely disconnects his hind end, so that at first, whenever we asked him to track right in the warmup, he would take a few steps and then stop. In order to work through this pattern, his rider, Greg, would have to bend him left just before he got stuck, then go right again, over and over, to show him how not to lock on that side. (Oscillation releases tension - I learned this from Peggy Cummings, creator of Connected Riding™ .) We also did some cheek presses (a Connected Groundwork™ technique) to help him release at the poll, and Greg had to be aware of supporting the horse through the left rein while asking him to bend right to prevent him from bowing out through the shoulder. What was so incredible was how quickly Maxx learned. Once Greg was able to identify the balance mistake that Maxx was making, and help him correct it, he was more than happy to keep walking. We didn't have to 'get after him'; we just had to show him how to do what we were asking him to do.</div>
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The exciting thing about each and every lesson was the change in the horse's attitude once the rider helped them become softer in the neck and more balanced through the body. Each and every horse dropped their head, breathed deeper, and became less spooky. Furthermore, these changes carried through to the rides. It was a windy day, and though each horse came to the riding area alert and slightly nervous, each horse stayed focused as long as their rider was asking them to release and lengthen into the contact.</div>
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Kolbra, a 15 year old Icelandic mare, took to in-hand work very quickly this season, and has learned a lot from it. Her conformation lends itself to being heavy in the sternum and base of the neck, but after only a couple weeks of groundwork (and, truth be told, a winter of bodywork), she was ready to take that lesson directly to riding. Here's a picture of her reaching into the contact under saddle:<br />
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This weekend really reinforced for me the importance of three things: consistency, ground training, and prioritizing softness. By working with their horses almost daily, in a few short weeks, Greg and Kara were able to transform the way their horses responded to the aids. By explaining to the horses what they wanted in hand, they were able to easily achieve it under saddle. And by asking them repeatedly to release and re-release their top lines, gently and softly, they were able to get them moving from the hind end, without chasing or intimidating them. It was truly inspiring to see four very different horses agree on one thing; when your rider helps you let go of your tension and find balance, it feels really nice!<br />
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<i>Have an idea for a blog post or article? Email me!</i></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-18320369331713149462015-03-27T18:06:00.004-07:002015-03-27T18:07:41.032-07:00<h3 style="text-align: center;">
This week's word to the wise is <i>rotate</i>.</h3>
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If you're familiar with Connected Riding, then right now you're picturing a rider, gently rotating her whole upper body, to encourage the horse to bend in that direction, thus releasing the spine. And yes, that's partly what I mean. But today I'd like to expand on that concept and apply it to other areas.<br />
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When we ride, it is important to rotate frequently. It releases tension in both the rider's and horse's spine, and encourages the horse to use the serratus muscles to gently lift and shift the ribcage, allowing room for the inside hind to come under the barrel and for the horse's weight to shift to the outside hind, creating engagement and balance. Rotating keeps us from getting stuck, especially if we remember to rotate in both directions. It's also a great way to evaluate your body; if you go to rotate and you can't, or your horse falls in instead of bending, chances are you're out of alignment, and have tensed up somewhere. It can help us remember to breathe, release our backs, and find a neutral pelvis, right when we need it most.<br />
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Likewise, it is important to rotate your focus frequently. When riding or training our horses, we often get narrowly focused on one aid, or one skill, or one outcome. We ask over and over again. First the horse gets it, or doesn't, but gradually he gets duller and duller. Maybe he responds beautifully at first, but then we keep asking, and the response weakens. If we're not careful, we get tense and frustrated, and then so does the horse.<br />
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Humans are capable of intense, long-lasting focus. This is partly because we evolved as carnivores, all of whom evolved to have their eyes and ears pointed forward to allow them to focus on their prey. But humans have also evolved an incredibly long attention span. We track prey for long distances, build elaborate structures, cook our food.... these activities have only come about because our brains evolved to be capable of seeing from the beginning of the task to the end. We can conceptualize of abstract ideas, of narratives, with an end result that results directly from our conscious action.<br />
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Horses, meanwhile, evolved to have an attention span of about three seconds. Sure, they might seem singularly focused on that pile of hay. But if you watch closely, you'll notice that their eyes and ears scan the horizon, or the barn, about every 3-5 seconds, if not more. They are constantly distracted. They have to be; they evolved to notice immediately if something in their environment changed, so that they could evaluate whether or not the change represented danger, and if so, react quickly.<br />
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I'm not saying we have to treat the horse as if we've just started a new conversation with him every three seconds. For one thing, many horses learn to focus a huge percentage of their attention on their rider/handler; they meet us more than halfway. But we can meet them there. We can learn to allow our own focus to be a little more open. Ask for something once, twice, maybe three times, then move on. Take a breath in-between each repetition. Allow some fresh air in to our awareness. In so doing, we might find we learn more quickly to be better riders, because we allow subtle cues from the horse to guide our second and third request. We can become more precise when we are more open to feedback.<br />
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The same can be said about our day to day existence. Many of us do something, and it seems to work, so we do it over and over and over again. Sometimes it continues to work, sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes it never did, we just didn't take the time to test the theory. Try rotating your activities, your routines, the things you focus on. Try taking a breath in-between engagements, interactions, or tasks. Try subtly changing the aids you give yourself. You might find your life is giving you useful feedback.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Have an idea for an article or a blog post? Email me! rhackett.equine@gmail.com </span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-79300163382074911032015-03-10T06:22:00.003-07:002015-03-10T06:22:50.927-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArhd154h2aCN2QhFmJHTX8LBXj1Ye1SwTsaWkve702BLYFotaGteoHiItuX3WtsbVfa8mO090ywPeEAe9g-79GTOGrbGQ8leKbGkZf8uDfYz1X6rN1RQDRDcAD1sjd4vsv0D8OfepTAc/s1600/hackettshorse_forweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArhd154h2aCN2QhFmJHTX8LBXj1Ye1SwTsaWkve702BLYFotaGteoHiItuX3WtsbVfa8mO090ywPeEAe9g-79GTOGrbGQ8leKbGkZf8uDfYz1X6rN1RQDRDcAD1sjd4vsv0D8OfepTAc/s1600/hackettshorse_forweb.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
Check out this beautiful image <a href="http://www.maggiemadole.com/" target="_blank">Maggie Madole</a> created to go on my new business cards!<br />
<br />
Maggie paints evocative and compelling images of animals and the natural world. She also has a gift for making art which resonates with the person she's creating it for.<br />
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If you're looking for artwork for your home, or to have something designed, hit her up. She's incredibly talented <i>and</i> a pleasure to work with.<br />
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Also visit her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/maggie_madole" target="_blank">Etsy page</a> for great gift ideas.<br />
<br />Happy Tuesday!<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Rachel<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-15310164558008161602015-03-06T18:35:00.001-08:002015-03-06T18:35:02.534-08:00It's freezing again...It's getting down into the single digits again tonight, and with four foot snowdrifts everywhere, it's hard to imagine working our horses in the sun in a few short months.<br />
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But Spring is coming, I promise! And with it, riding weather! Here are three things you can do now to make sure you and your horse are ready to ride when the winter is finally over.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) Schedule some barn time</span></b></h3>
Let's face it; single digit temps and scary road conditions have cut into everyone's barn time this winter. Other projects rushed in to fill the void. Suddenly you find you've been stopping by to feed carrots or muck stalls, but you haven't done any training in quite a while... It's time to get out the calendar and set aside some horse time. By scheduling a 15 minute barn visit this week, and two extra visits next week, and three the week after that, you'll have yourself back in the swing of things by the time the snow melts.Your horse will remember your name, and his manners, and when the warmer weather hits, you won't be elsewhere wishing you were riding; you'll already be at the barn! If you have barn buddies, surprise them by being the first to call this year to set up a pony date.<br />
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During these pre-thaw visits, you can groom your horse, check your equipment, and complete steps 2 and 3:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) </b><b>Check your saddle fit</b></span><br />
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The shape of a horse's back and withers change dramatically with his fitness level. If your horse has been out of work for weeks or months, he may need to have his saddle adjusted before starting up again. Even if you're lucky enough to have an indoor, saddle fit should be rechecked every six months, so spring is a great time to do it.<br />
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Horses will usually tell us when a saddle feels right. If your horse is relaxed and comfortable during grooming, but changes his tune when you put on his girth or cinch, suspect a poorly fitting saddle. Signs of discomfort include moving his feet, swishing his tail, laying his ears back, wrinkling the skin around his eyes, head shaking, nipping, or any other behavior which your gut tells you just isn't right.<br />
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Of course there are other reasons why your horse might object to being saddled and girthed, including health problems. If your horse's behavior doesn't improve after having the saddle fitted, seek the advice of a qualified horse health care professional.<br />
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On the other hand, if your horse lowers his head, breathes deeply, and appears thoughtful or sleepy after you gently tighten his girth, this is a good indication that the saddle fits him.<br />
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If you're not sure, here are some things to look for in a well-fitting saddle:<br />
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<b>The panels should match the shape of his back/upper ribs:</b></div>
Place your saddle on your horse's back without the pad or saddle blanket. Press down firmly on the seat with one hand, and with the other, reach under the saddle and feel all the areas in which it makes direct contact. The pressure should be even and constant from back to front (unless you have a <a href="http://www.timelesshorsemanship.com/th%20saddlefit.htm#criteria" target="_blank">flared tree</a>, which is slightly wider at the front and the back) and on both sides . The angles should match from the gullet all the way down, instead of digging in or flaring out at the top or the bottom. Under no circumstances should your saddle 'bridge,' meaning that there is more pressure at the front and back than in the middle. This will prevent your horse from using his shoulders <i>and</i> his hind end comfortably.<br />
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<b>The pommel and gullet should allow plenty of room for the vertebrae:</b></div>
The pommel of the saddle should be high enough that you can fit four fingers, stacked upright, between it and the withers. When you stand behind your horse, you should be able see daylight all the way through the gullet. The gullet should also be wide enough to not interfere with the spine when the horse bends. You may need to stand on a bucket behind your horse to see this; be sure to have someone help you hold your horse steady and straight while you're up there!<br />
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<b>The saddle shouldn't be too long:</b></div>
Any part of the saddle which is directly in contact with the horse's back should not extend beyond the last rib of the horse. To check this, find his last rib on the side of his barrel where he's widest, then follow it up to the spine with your hand. If the back of the saddle goes beyond this point, it will prevent him from easily engaging his <a href="http://www.sustainabledressage.net/rollkur/work_stretch/iliopsoas_work_stretch.gif" target="_blank">psoas muscles</a>, which are crucial to the correct use of the hind end. Next take a look at the seat of the saddle. The center (the flattest part), where your seatbones will naturally go, should be just ahead of the <a href="http://aboutthehorse.com/reciprocating_horse_nuchal.jpg" target="_blank">anticlinal vertebra</a>. This is the vertebra which points directly up towards the sky; in most horses it's the 16th thoracic vertebra. (To put this in context, the last rib connects to the 18th thoracic vertebra.)<br />
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If any of these things are not true, or you're still not sure, have a professional evaluate the saddle's fit before riding your horse.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) Bodywork/groundwork</span></b><br />
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Putting your hands on your horse isn't just fun, it helps his nervous system stay aware of that body part. This can improve circulation and muscle tone, and even promote healing. If you take it one step further and learn a few simple bodywork and groundwork techniques, you can improve flexibility, body awareness, and performance.<br />
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If you already know some exercises, it's time to get out there and do them!<br />
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When learning bodywork and groundwork techniques, it's important to follow methods which have been proven to yield results safely. Always learn new techniques from a professional, and follow instructions carefully.<br />
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Have you ever heard of Linda Tellington-Jones? She is the creator of TTeam/TTouch, a system of bodywork and groundwork techniques for horses (and other animals) which can improve physical and mental health, heal trauma, increase athleticism and coordination, and correct behavioral issues. These methods have been tested on thousands of horses all over the world for years, and the best part is, they are surprisingly easy to learn!<br />
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If you don't already have it, treat yourself to a little this-winter-has-gone-on-forever gift and purchase the book <a href="http://www.ttouch.com/shop/index.php?productID=190" target="_blank">The Ultimate Horse Behavior and Training Book</a>. I don't usually like to tell people how to spend their money, but every barn should have this thorough and easy-to-use guide.<br />
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TTouch bodywork can be done in the stall or on crossties, and many TTeam groundwork exercises can be done in the barn aisle or in a small paddock or barnyard.<br />
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Some TTouch exercises which are great for horses who are not moving around much include leg circles, lick of the cow's tongue, python leg lifts, belly lifts, back lifts, and tail work. (Are you curious yet?)<br />
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So there's your homework for March - get yourself and your horse ready to rock and roll when riding weather hits! Happy horse time everyone!<br />
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<i>That's all for now. If you have questions, or ideas for future blog posts and articles, email me! rhackett.equine@gmail.com</i><br />
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<i>Best,</i><br />
<i>Rachel</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8506498581786394209.post-73752195806641830822015-02-26T13:45:00.001-08:002015-02-26T13:45:40.138-08:00 I'm feeling inspired today because I'm in Cedar Creek, TX, at Hycourt Farm, visiting my mentor, Jillian Kreinbring. Jill is an incredible horsewoman because of her overwhelming love for all equines, and because of her commitment to learning. She knows more about equine anatomy and biomechanics than anyone I've ever met, and indeed she teaches a 4 day workshop on this topic around the world. If you ever have a chance to attend one, don't miss it!!<br />
Jill implements her incredible knowledge of how horses' bodies function with compassion and patience. This week I have watched her work with all kinds of horses; green horses, traumatized horses, and of course her own two Lusitano horses, who she has been developing for the past few years. I've watched her do liberty work, groundwork, in-hand work, longeing, and riding, depending what each horse needed. The common thread which ran through each workout was Jill's consistency and clarity. With each horse, in each moment, she knew exactly what she was asking them to do, and she was prepared to explain it over and over, calmly and clearly, until the horse got it. And once they did, she rewarded them immediately and lavishly. She walks the fine line between shaping and supporting the horse through the movement, and giving them opportunities to find their own balance. She teaches them to seek the right response, to seek self-carriage, to seek connection.<br />
Being around Jill always reminds me that we are all a work in progress, and that progress is not always linear. Some days all you can get done is 20 minutes of exercises at the walk. The most important thing is to get out there, as often as you can, and see what you can accomplish. Be proud of the baby steps. And most importantly, teach your horse to be proud of them too.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927752385676213358noreply@blogger.com1