Roxylola
Well-Known Member
I was fortunate enough to get a space on a clinic with Andy Thomas locally today and thought I'd share some thoughts on it and a bit of info on how it works.
So we started in trot, down the centre line a couple of times then a circle in walk, 2 in trot, 2 in canter on the left rein then on the right.
Andy watched me ride pretty much leaving me to it. I'd already brought up that I know I'm crooked and I'd had wonky hips which are now straight but habitually compensate for them.
He then had me lie on a treatment table and tested my hip flexibility and strength. Slightly more flexibility in my right, but not too bad either way. Strength though ???? he positioned my left leg and asked me to resist his hand pressing it down. No problem - turn over and attempted the same on the right. No way could I resist even the slightest pressure, I was amazed at the difference - literally could not believe it.
So he does some manipulation, all very light movement and touch, nothing significant at all and yet suddenly I have full movement and flexibility from my left and my right is now able to resist pressure.
If you saw a video youd call it fake, it was that dramatic! Pop back on board and walk trot canter both reins again and suddenly I'm not fighting myself, I'm not getting in my own way, I dont have to think about and correct my own position, I can just stay over him and work him.
We then did a bit more mounted work with a resistance band on to further activate my glutes, and a bit with one on my hands to engage my core. Again walk trot and canter.
Then having done all that I played about with some lateral work, and generally just had some fun working in a fab arena and enjoying how easy it felt to be straight and how that then conveys itself to better work from the horse, more through, better steps from the hind legs etc.
I've got a programme to work on via an app now and I am super excited to keep at it.
Highly recommend to anyone, he and his wife are lovely lovely people, was a really productive session
So we started in trot, down the centre line a couple of times then a circle in walk, 2 in trot, 2 in canter on the left rein then on the right.
Andy watched me ride pretty much leaving me to it. I'd already brought up that I know I'm crooked and I'd had wonky hips which are now straight but habitually compensate for them.
He then had me lie on a treatment table and tested my hip flexibility and strength. Slightly more flexibility in my right, but not too bad either way. Strength though ???? he positioned my left leg and asked me to resist his hand pressing it down. No problem - turn over and attempted the same on the right. No way could I resist even the slightest pressure, I was amazed at the difference - literally could not believe it.
So he does some manipulation, all very light movement and touch, nothing significant at all and yet suddenly I have full movement and flexibility from my left and my right is now able to resist pressure.
If you saw a video youd call it fake, it was that dramatic! Pop back on board and walk trot canter both reins again and suddenly I'm not fighting myself, I'm not getting in my own way, I dont have to think about and correct my own position, I can just stay over him and work him.
We then did a bit more mounted work with a resistance band on to further activate my glutes, and a bit with one on my hands to engage my core. Again walk trot and canter.
Then having done all that I played about with some lateral work, and generally just had some fun working in a fab arena and enjoying how easy it felt to be straight and how that then conveys itself to better work from the horse, more through, better steps from the hind legs etc.
I've got a programme to work on via an app now and I am super excited to keep at it.
Highly recommend to anyone, he and his wife are lovely lovely people, was a really productive session
Glad you had a great lesson. Sounds like you came away delighted with the results!
