Does anyone else feel a bit of an idiot when their instructor asks.....

[nikicb]

.....what certain parts of your body/limbs were doing what, during a movement/transition and you don't know/can't remember?

I changed instructors a few months ago and it's been a revelation and I couldn't be happier. My previous instructor focussed primarily on what the horse was doing while my position and effectiveness gradually went to rack and ruin along with my confidence.

My new instructor has been working very much on me, and how I ride to get the most out of my horse. I can already see a massive difference in not only my position, but also my connection with my horse, and therefore my effectiveness and all round confidence. This is beginning to pay off in how he's going as well. And I felt my stomach muscles working the first time in ermm quite a few years the other day and had the aches to prove it afterwards.

But sometimes after we've done something she asks what I did to make it good or why it didn't go as planned and I think because I do quite a lot of it instinctively I can't remember/work it out. It's a great technique from an instructor's point of view because when I'm schooling by myself I can then think about it, but I do feel a bit daft sometimes. Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just because I'm getting past it?

 

[Lolo]

Al's instructor asks this, but generally as she's doing it because she knows afterwards the answer will be rather brief!

I couldn't tell you at any given point what any part of me was doing when I rode. My safest answer would probably be 'flailing' though

 

[nikicb]

Al's instructor asks this, but generally as she's doing it because she knows afterwards the answer will be rather brief!

I couldn't tell you at any given point what any part of me was doing when I rode. My safest answer would probably be 'flailing' though

I find it really hard sometimes. I mean I've managed to stay on while doing a wall of death canter round the school and now you're asking me how I did it?

 

[becka1975]

explain to your instructor that you're not sure - it was an automated response etc, she is asking to help you, and sometimes people are taught to do the oddest things so we ask why your doing it so that we can understand if it was a bad technique taught or habit gained by instinct or something that you find works for your particular horse - she is using great coaching techniques but you need to feel comfortable enough with her say when you haven't a clue!

 

[amage]

Have been asked this a few times....I rarely know because whatever I have done is instinctive!

 

[soulfull]

Yes. All the time. My ins is a RWYM coach and it's the biggest part of it
Once you get used to it, it is really worth knowing what your feeling
Then you can use it for other parts that dont go so well or correct what your doing wrong
When she asks me I close my eyes and replay it in my head, works for me. I don't always get it right but that's part of the learning
Enjoy!!