. . . But today, I figured something out . . . the constant stress had translated into physical tension and was making my riding deteriorate. . . . I had always assumed riding helped me release tension; it was humbling to realize and understand that instead of expecting my horse to absorb my stress, I have a responsibility as a rider to come to the barn without dragging the stress of my life with me in a tension-locked body.
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Quick quiz: You put your friend, your husband, your daughter, your niece, anyone on a horse for the first time. What is the first thing you teach them? You give them the reins and say: Kick to start. Pull left to go left and pull right to go right. Pull both to stop. Right? Of course that is what you do, no matter what you know. . . .I was never taught that there might be another method in which to communicate with my horse. . . .
Read MoreWhen the rains stops Universo and I will head out the arena gate . . . Inevitably, we encounter deer and wild turkeys taking advantage of this small oasis in the middle of neighborhood construction. Once we stopped and shared stares with a hawk sitting on a fence post. Another time, a fox ran across the driveway. An occasional turtle sunbathes on a log and frogs jump into pond scum just in front of Universo’s hooves . . .
Read MoreOne of the high standards I have set for myself is to ride sitting trot correctly; perhaps like Dr. Reiner Klimke, although I would have to be put on the medieval stretching rack in order for my body to at all simulate his long elegant frame. Regardless of the hopelessness of achieving that quality of perfection, at least I could hope not to be bouncing around in the saddle, nodding my head, leaning back in a perpetual chair seat, flailing my arms out like chicken wings, or swinging my legs wildly back and forth.
Read More...what did I expect, after all these years (I am now 50 years old) of riding in a dressage saddle, when my instructor told me I should ride my horse bareback to give both him and me a break? It would be relaxing. Ha. Relaxing! Perhaps she would be relaxed, but I had visions of me clinging and bouncing on my 4th level dressage horse. I figured it would not be pretty, but I was game to try anyway.
Read MoreStiff Body. Stiff legs and arms. BOUNCE! BOUNCE! I’m hopeless! My arms can relax and follow most of the time. But my legs absolutely refuse to cooperate. This is really depressing. I have 2 different instructors trying to figure out what part of my body (or parts of my body) is at fault. So far we have investigated and make changes in my upper body, the angle of my seat, whether or not I am sitting on my pockets, my thighs, knees, ankles, and…Maybe it’s my brain! I could always try riding on my head. I would probably have better luck upside-down in the saddle waving my legs around in the air! At least they would be moving.
Rider Development. What are the stages that you go through as a rider? Physical acquisition of skills. Cognitive understanding of theory. Emotional stages as you overcome fear, learn discipline, and find joy riding horses. Share with me your development as a rider. Come with me on my journey as a dressage rider.
