chaps89
Well-Known Member
As someone who doesn't go out in public with their horse ever, a few weeks ago I must have been feeling bold as I put us down for a slot on the biomechanics clinic at merrist wood today.
With fantastic timing I also landed 2 interviews for this morning so it was a bit of an early start to give her a scrub and make her look presentable before popping her out for a few hours. I needn't have bothered as typically it rained and she rolled. But that's horses for you.
Popped her on the box having wiped as much mud off as I could and decided not to worry as I was bound to look out of place on my fat hairy cob anyway 🙈
It was actually just the right sort of event for our first proper outing in years, very quiet and low key.
I say quiet, it was until madam started shouting her head off. Indoor school? No problem. Mirrors? No problem. Jumps stacked up and people wandering in and out? No problem. Another horse called and that was it. However, bless her, all things considered she was really very well behaved (but I do apologise to anyone in the vicinity!)
Thankfully my ever patient instructor was there, having had a friend who rode in an earlier slot, so she kept us together and reminded me to ride and not sit like a passenger.
A brief warm up and we went in (the indoor was split into 2)
Well, what a revelation.
The first bit was a little unconventional as she pinged her way around the arena (I wasn't completely sure we weren't going to jump the barriers dividing the school at one point if I'm totally honest)
And then it was like the penny dropped.
She did a big old stretch and snort and relaxed and softened for me.
As for me? Well, I knew I had a few issues (I clamp with my thigh and my heels come up and my left shoulder curls forwards) but the video was very unforgiving!
However, whilst I knew what my issues were, I had no idea how I should be fixing them - hence why we were there! It all came down to me collapsing through my right ribs.
We did a really interesting exercise where I had to ride down the centre line with my eyes shut.
I did not quite expect to find myself in the far corner when I opened them. Oops.
So 2nd attempt and I over compensated and drifted a little the other way.
3rd time lucky and really focussing on feeling her hind legs moving under me, we cracked it.
There was another light bulb moment when I was struggling to get the hang of 'lifting' my right ribs up.
When phrased as 'pushing' my left ribs down I got it and understood what I needed to be doing.
This seemingly small change bought me much straighter in the saddle, and unsurprisingly much more effective with my aids.
So lots to work on but it was a really interesting session and I didn't at any point feel overly criticised which is what I had been worrying about. (No reflection on the trainer - all me and my head!)
I have the DVD of the session which I'm really looking forwards to and if I can take a before and after still I will try to post it.
All in all it was a great outing and if anyone is struggling with positional issues then I can highly recommend it.
With fantastic timing I also landed 2 interviews for this morning so it was a bit of an early start to give her a scrub and make her look presentable before popping her out for a few hours. I needn't have bothered as typically it rained and she rolled. But that's horses for you.
Popped her on the box having wiped as much mud off as I could and decided not to worry as I was bound to look out of place on my fat hairy cob anyway 🙈
It was actually just the right sort of event for our first proper outing in years, very quiet and low key.
I say quiet, it was until madam started shouting her head off. Indoor school? No problem. Mirrors? No problem. Jumps stacked up and people wandering in and out? No problem. Another horse called and that was it. However, bless her, all things considered she was really very well behaved (but I do apologise to anyone in the vicinity!)
Thankfully my ever patient instructor was there, having had a friend who rode in an earlier slot, so she kept us together and reminded me to ride and not sit like a passenger.
A brief warm up and we went in (the indoor was split into 2)
Well, what a revelation.
The first bit was a little unconventional as she pinged her way around the arena (I wasn't completely sure we weren't going to jump the barriers dividing the school at one point if I'm totally honest)
And then it was like the penny dropped.
She did a big old stretch and snort and relaxed and softened for me.
As for me? Well, I knew I had a few issues (I clamp with my thigh and my heels come up and my left shoulder curls forwards) but the video was very unforgiving!
However, whilst I knew what my issues were, I had no idea how I should be fixing them - hence why we were there! It all came down to me collapsing through my right ribs.
We did a really interesting exercise where I had to ride down the centre line with my eyes shut.
I did not quite expect to find myself in the far corner when I opened them. Oops.
So 2nd attempt and I over compensated and drifted a little the other way.
3rd time lucky and really focussing on feeling her hind legs moving under me, we cracked it.
There was another light bulb moment when I was struggling to get the hang of 'lifting' my right ribs up.
When phrased as 'pushing' my left ribs down I got it and understood what I needed to be doing.
This seemingly small change bought me much straighter in the saddle, and unsurprisingly much more effective with my aids.
So lots to work on but it was a really interesting session and I didn't at any point feel overly criticised which is what I had been worrying about. (No reflection on the trainer - all me and my head!)
I have the DVD of the session which I'm really looking forwards to and if I can take a before and after still I will try to post it.
All in all it was a great outing and if anyone is struggling with positional issues then I can highly recommend it.