Comfortable & Relaxed Riding

My goal as an instructor is to enable you to be comfortable and relaxed while riding,

so your horse will be comfortable and relaxed with you.

Owners and riders tell me quite often they wonder why:

• their horse keeps throwing its head
• he won’t go forward
• he bucks or rears
• he spooks
• the horse’s trot is so hard to sit
• the horse can’t maintain the canter
• why he won't stretch to the bit
• the horse, rider or both are uncomfortable and not relaxed

Sometimes these issues may be health-related and you should have that looked into by your vet. But once any conformational or health related issues have been addressed and solved if the behaviors continue then we have to consider it could be and most likely has to do with the rider or lack of training. For the purpose of this article we are going to focus on the rider.

I view the picture of horse and rider as a whole partnership rather than looking at each issue separately. In most cases the causes of many of the issues listed above is the inability of the horse to move "completely" through his or her entire body because of a tight rider, a tight poor fitting saddle, poor postural habits or trying to fix issues with equipment and gadgets rather than connecting with the horses mind and helping him learn to control his emotions. The sole use of specialized equipment and gadgets is always based on the "people schedule" instead of the "horse schedule". In order for everything to function clear, smooth, relaxed and comfortable both bodies have to function in a full healthful way including physical, mental and emotional fitness. It is a wholistic approach where both the horse and rider must be developed in order to have a comfortable relaxed performance.

Riding is not always as easy as the experts make it look. It can be difficult to keep your balance and at the same time be effective with your aids. It can be hard for some people to stay upright and look good in the saddle.

When NOT looking good riders:

• bounce in the saddle
• their legs flap against the horses’ side
• their hands cling to the reins for balance
• they lean forward
• when giving a cue they bend their wrists, look down and again lean forward
• their heels come up
• their lower back stiffens
• The horse drops his shoulder, throws his head up and tightens his back

As I teach I have noticed that quite a few riders have difficulty keeping an upright posture through transitions and keeping their seat in the saddle at the canter. I have also observed that the trot is usually the most difficult movement to perform dignified and well.

There are many “roadblocks” which can hinder a horse’s ability to move completely through his entire body. But one of the most common "roadblocks" is a tight rider with a weak core. If you are double bouncing at the rising trot, sloppy in the sitting trot, unable to maintain an independent seat in any movement, unable to maintain a collected canter or if you are stiff and tight in your position you are more than likely weak in your abdominal and core muscles.

In order for the horse to carry a rider with a supple and working back,

the rider must:

• Become a conscious rider (Listening and observant of yourself, the horse, and the surroundings)
• Be able to control your mind and emotions (remain calm)
• Stay relaxed and flexible in mind and emotions
• Breath normally
• Be aware of your body and then the horse’s body
• Have “self-control” (physical coordination, and timing)
• Be in neutral pelvis position
• Have an aligned body (ear, shoulder, hip, heel)
• Stabilize through the abdominal core muscles
• Open your knees (clamped knees literally take you up and off the saddle making you vulnerable and unsafe)
• Think wide through the upper thighs and pelvic bowl (otherwise you are closing your hip joints and restricting motion)
• Let your legs be long draping around the horse like wet paper towels
• Release and contract as necessary for balance
• Remain flexible or supple especially in the shoulders, pelvis, and lower back
• Move in rhythmic harmony with the horse

These rider objectives will help improve your posture so you are in a position which allows the limbs to free up and work with the horse’s movement without being restrictive or limiting. The abdominal core muscles stabilize the upper body and support the back which allows the hips, lower back muscles and hamstrings to function independently without a lot of undue stress. Your core is what balances, contains and re-balances the horse and allows you to function within a dynamic and changing set of circumstances in the saddle. The core muscles also stabilize the neutral pelvis which is the foundation of your weight distribution and your balancing point.

Core stability gives a person deep abdominal strength and therefore better posture control and trunk stability. Horse riders NEED deep abdominal strength for riding. Nervous riders tend to cling onto their horse and bounce around. This creates tension in the horse and then the rider and then the horse and the cycle is set

If you core is weak it is no wonder you are tired or sore after riding. Without a conditioned core your body feels out of balance to your horse. Your body is constantly adjusting, re-adjusting and over working postural muscles which become injured over time. The horse does not feel you harmonizing with his movement but rather working against him like a ball and chain. He will not want to lift his back, instead he will hollow his back and you end up with a rough ride and real struggle. Your body becomes a drag on movement and you have to work extra hard to get lightness and forward impulsion.

One of the absolute keys for a comfortable and relaxed ride for both you and your horse is better core stability. A good rider has knowledge of their body and posture. This gives them confidence, strength, skills, and stability which allows them to achieve high level results.

So if you are feeling blue because you can’t get out and ride your horse because of the winter weather conditions then it might behoove you to set aside some time for strengthening your core because it is so important for horseback riding. It is the center of gravity and your body relies on it for proper posture and body functioning. It provides a solid foundation of movement for the rest of the body and injury prevention.

I would recommend Pilates or Yoga, however anything you do to become more aware of your body, increase your strength and flexibility, while learning to control your breathing will greatly benefit your riding this spring no matter what discipline you choose to participate in with your horse.

I want to encourage you to set as one of your goals this year to become a conscious rider who realizes that sensitivity and understanding of your body-mind connection are essential to riding. As you continue on this journey you will begin to understand that using your body to communicate with the horse is the essence of riding and your most challenging task.

COME TO OUR STUDY GROUP IN BROKEN BOW OR THE RIDING SIMULATION CLASS IN HASTINGS THIS MONTH TO LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CORE STRENGTH AND AWARENESS FOR RIDING

Question: This year is an especially long and cold winter with very poor riding conditions. Because I do not have an indoor facility I have spent very little time with my horse. I am longing for warmer weather to be able to ride and play with my horse. What can I do in the mean time to better my riding skills?

Answer: Winter may severely challenge your horse riding routine. So we may have to alter a few things. I like what Theodor Roosevelt said, "Do what you can, with what you have, with where you are."

This winter most of us have been snowed in with 4-8 foot high snow drifts wondering if we will ever see spring. Unless we have an indoor riding arena we aren’t doing much riding right now, so we will have to do what we can with what we have. We could perhaps haul to an indoor arena to ride, but most of us can’t even get to our trailers right now, not to mention the thought of hauling my horses on slick roads is not to appealing. So in order to counter-act the gloominess and stress of the weather we can focus on some other areas that can help improve our riding. Aside from watching training DVD's and reading good horse books and magazines there are some things we can do to improve our riding right now.

Balance is one of the biggest keys to riding. Our horse's feel every move we make when we are astride, and react to every unbalanced move however subtle. So anything we can do to recognize the unbalanced errors we have in our own bodies and correct them before we get on the horse will help improve our riding.

To find our balance we need body awareness especially of our core. With body awareness and balance we can clearly see where our weight is shifting and understand what our horse is feeling. These subtleties can affect our horse's confidence and behavior. How can we expect our horse to trust a person to guide him if the rider can't even manage his own weight? A balanced confident rider creates a balanced confident horse.

There is an old cavalry saying, “it’s never the horse, always the rider”. So if we can do something this winter to improve our balance, flexibility, breathing, core strength, focus, and overall awareness of our bodies it will make our “fair weather” riding more productive. We will be ready for spring and competition or pleasure riding whichever you choose if we start doing something right now. Plus some good exercise is proven to relieve stress and uplift your spirit.

To become a better rider one has to become a conscious rider, which is to realize that sensitivity and understanding of your body-mind connection are essential to riding. It is important for us to understand that using your body to communicate with the horse is the essence of riding and your most challenging task. As you gain valuable insights and techniques for effectively using your own body your horse will thank you by reflecting your positive changes and become more willing, balanced and pleasurable to ride.

It is a known fact that horses communicate through a physical language that includes postures, expressions, and movements. To be successful at riding, we need to speak in a similar non-verbal manner with the horse. For most people, body language is not employed as a conscious method of communicating. So it is our job to acquire the skills that enable us to speak with the horse physically, which includes self-control of body and mind with powerful focus. For safety and efficiency we need to learn a balanced position in the saddle, as well as the ability to focus and relax on demand. Refining the awareness of our own body and coordination is needed to clearly communicate to the horse without disturbing him.

Creating harmony on the back of a large, unpredictable flight animal is a complex learned activity for horses and humans. Most every rider seeks to establish union with the horse—it is a universal goal despite the various reasons we ride. And while riding is not a "natural" act, it can become a "harmonious" one when we cultivate the appropriate level of self-discipline to safely enjoy our chosen mounted activities. Whether we are content with casual riding, or wish to pursue a higher degree of sophisticated control, riders today must take responsibility for our equestrian education. This starts with an exploration of the many learning opportunities available.

People who come to me for lessons often face "obstacles" that block their efforts to harmoniously connect with the horse's movement. Traits such as: insufficient awareness of their own body, lack of core strength, chronic tension, poor posture, one-sidedness, impatience, anxiety, fear, and excessive grip with arms and legs are some of the common hurdles riders need to overcome. Sadly, it is our equine partner who suffers most when "horse control" is prematurely attempted before our own obstacles have been identified, addressed, and eliminated. This approach is the absolute longest road toward harmony, and can create even more riding obstacles, such as: confusion, frustration, struggle, and forceful manipulation—all of which negatively impact the safety and well-being of rider and horse, and increase the risks already inherent in riding.

In my opinion one of the best ways to become more aware of your body, strengthen your core, improve your breathing, flexibility, focus and ability to relax is through yoga. Yoga is the oldest self-improvement practice in the world. Yoga has survived because it works. I have been doing yoga this winter plus other exercises for general overall tone to keep my body in shape for spring riding.

Here are some benefits of Yoga that I know will help improve your riding.

Benefits: Posture

With increased flexibility and strength comes better posture. Most standing and sitting poses develop core strength. That's because you're counting on your deep abdominals to support and maintain each pose. With a stronger core, you're more likely to sit and stand "tall." Another benefit of yoga is the increased body awareness. This heightened awareness tells you more quickly when you're slouching or slumping so you can adjust your posture. (All very important to a good independent seat when riding.)

Benefits: Breathing

Yoga provides time-tested practices for improving your breathing. I believe breathing skills are essential for equestrians to move in rhythmic harmony with the horse. And they are definitely needed to keep us calm and relaxed in a stressful situation with a horse. Because of the deep, mindful breathing that yoga involves, lung capacity often improves. This in turn can improve sports performance and endurance. Most forms of yoga emphasize deepening and lengthening your breath. This stimulates the relaxation response -- the opposite of the fight-or-flight adrenaline boost of the stress response. Again we need to relax in order to ride well.

Benefits: Less stress, more calm

Even beginners tend to feel less stressed and more relaxed after their first class. Some yoga styles use specific meditation techniques to quiet the constant "mind chatter" that often underlies stress. Other yoga styles depend on deep breathing techniques to focus your mind on the breath. When this happens, your mind becomes calm. Again it is important to stay calm with horses in many situations.

Benefits: Concentration and mood

Harder to pin down and research scientifically, concentration and the ability to focus mentally are common benefits you'll hear yoga students talk about. The same is true with mood. Nearly every yoga student will tell you they feel happier and more contented after class. Recently, researchers have begun exploring the effects of yoga on depression, a benefit that may result from yoga's boosting oxygen levels to the brain. Again focus and concentration makes for a much better rider.

You might want to try yoga for stress management and relaxation from the challenges we have faced this winter. It will also benefit your physical body for better riding this spring. Look around for classes in your area to see what's offered. You can also learn yoga from books and videos. I personally tune in to Veria TV on Dish every morning at 9:00 and follow the program. If you don’t want to do Yoga at least try to implement some type of exercise program inside these cold winter days and you will reap the rewards this spring. Come spring your horse will be happy you improved your body tone, posture, strength, breathing, and ability to stay calm.

For more information on exercise and simulations classes to develop better feel and riding ability check out Sherry's new website at www.heartinyourhand.com and sign up for one of our summer horsemanship camps or clinics.

Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis
Author of "Win Your Horse's Heart" (And Be a Better Horseman

The Road To Becoming A Horseman (Part 2)

In last months newsletter I described how I have been guiding a small group of women over the past four years down the road to becoming better horsewomen by their attendance at the annual Oct. Alumni Women’s Horsemanship Camp. The article explained how we explored confidence for both the horse and rider the first year. Then the following three years we studied the emotional, mental and physical aspects of becoming better horsemen. In Part 2 of this article, I am going to continue this discussion by expanding upon the nuts and bolts of what I am currently learning and teaching.

Because I am a retired school teacher I find it helpful to divided learning into smaller chucks so that it is easier for the student to digest. I believe that there are (four main categories or roads) we need to take in order to become better horsemen. I have also discovered that progress is much quicker and improvement enduring if we take these roads in a specific, sequential order. Therefore we avoid getting lost on the journey.

When we become proficient in one category then our experience on the next road will be much easier. In other words the road to becoming a better horseman will be a lot smoother when we build our skills with purposeful progression. It is when we try to take short cuts that the road becomes very bumpy and more difficult. While it may be possible to jump onto any road (or category) at any time, and sometimes it may even be necessary depending upon the situation, it does help to go in an order. Traveling in this manner is a lot more pleasant for both the horse and rider plus the results are far superior to anything I have every tried in the past.

We need to develop skills in these four categories on our road to becoming better horsemen: 1) Develop a Learning Frame of Mind for both horse and rider.2) Advance Groundwork 3) Improve Rider’s Posture4) School the horse for Optimal Movement and Self-Carriage

Within each of these four categories there are different levels; beginning with the easiest and most fundamental skills and building up to the most complicated aspects of training. It doesn’t matter where you are right now, or if you ever want to achieve the most complicated and advanced maneuvers with your horse. What matters most is that you have a general understanding and skill set in each of these categories so that you can be safe and have more fun with your horse.

Here are some of the things I have realized about each category on my own road to becoming a better horseman.

1) Developing a Learning Frame of Mind
What is involved?

• It is so important for the rider to have an awareness of self.
• It is imperative the rider be very attentive to the horse.
• It is valuable to know how to get and keep a horse’s attention.
• It is foremost that the rider has great intention and focus.
• It is essential for the rider to be a calm leader in a variety of situations.
• It is significant that the person be able to read a horse and understand behaviors.
• It is vital the person breaks through any defensive behaviors in the horse.
• The central key is developing a relationship with the horse which means a healthy happy partnership. It doesn’t matter whether it is a young or old horse, a problem or challenging horse, a remedial or rescue horse, because all horses will appreciate this and therefore become more willing.
• It is crucial that the person have an open mind to new learning.
• It is necessary the person is willing to experiment and learn from mistakes.
• The attitude the rider has towards the horse will have a great influence on everything you do with him.

2) Advance Groundwork
What is the focus?

• Developing the balance, feel and timing of the rider is just as important in ground work as what we are doing with the horse. Everything we do on the ground is transferrable to riding for both the horse and rider.
• Balance and communication are best developed in the context of groundwork because the separation helps clarify “issues” that are most often the result of miscommunication or misunderstandings between horse and rider.
• How equipment affects communication and motion is best assessed in this category. A rider can become fully aware of various training equipment, ropes, halters, whips, sticks, saddles, padding and bridles and how to use them better because they do not have the added things to think about while being on the horse’s back.
• The difference between aids and contacts is clarified and both the horse and rider learn their specific roles in the partnership.
• Undesirable behavior issues can be dealt with in a safe way. The change of behavior on the ground can and will transfer to riding. Get it better on the ground and it will be better when riding.
• Habits are created, which will affect either positively or negatively the daily handling with your horse, from vet care to trailer loading.
• Three layers of advancement in the horse and rider:
  Emotional balance (calm and attentive during exercises),
  Mental balance (understanding exercises and skill development)
  Physical balance (energy, relaxation and self-carriage within the exercises).

3) Improve Rider’s Posture
How do we do it?

• Focus on the rider’s balance and position through awareness exercises performed in a specific order.
• Separate the rider’s balance from the horse’s balance so that the rider can become more aware of exactly where and how the horse is struggling and then offer better assistance.
• As the rider¹s balance improves, feel improves and then the timing of the aidsprovides clear communication that is recognizably useful to the horse.
• Ideally this begins on the ground using exercise balls and reins for simulation exercises.
• A safe lesson horse is an invaluable tool where the rider is on a longe line without reins.
• Once in the saddle, this category of training focuses on the rider finding their own point of balance and working from their core on the back of a horse.
• A video tape or a set of professional eyes on you with constructive criticism are priceless learning tools about your posture. This can be a painful process but you will learn more about your posture from these experiences than any other.
• Correct posture also helps a rider feel safer. A feeling of security allowsthe rider to be more confident with calm leadership from the saddle which the horse is looking for.
• Having a sense of balance that is independent of the horse’s motion is what professional riders have that gives them the ability to ride a variety ofhorses very well. While this level of quality is not often taught to non-professional riders I believe it is imperative for all riders to learn because the correct development of a horse depends on good rider posture.

4) School the horse for Optimal Movement and Self Carriage
Why is it necessary?

• Focus on helping the horse achieve balance while carrying a rider.
• Finding correct use of the body while bearing the weight of a rider is a learned skill for a horse and one that is often ignored.
• Although a horse can and often do what is asked while out of balance the cumulative effect of riding an unbalanced horse can be lameness, illness or behavioral problems.
• Understanding the difference between the most advantageous motion and acceptable motion helps the rider understand WHY the horse is behaving poorly, performing poorly or having chronic health issues.
• It is a simple matter of (basic physics) between the rider’s body, the horse’s body and gravity. When these dynamics work together then harmony is achieved.
• By helping the horse achieve his best possible movement with self-carriage under saddle we show the horse that his need for safety and comfort in the exercises we ask him to do are as important as our own agenda of pleasure or performance.
• The fundamental skill of helping a horse find his finest movement with self-carriage which is not forced but is relaxed with balance and energy is crucial for the health and well being of a horse whether he is only ridden on the trails once a week or is expected to go to Grand Prix.
  
  As we travel down the road to becoming better horsemen these four categories will help give us a proper road map which will lead us to our desired destination. The better our learning frame of mind is the better our ground work will be, the better our ground work is the better the horse will ride, the better the rider’s posture is the horse will be able to move with more freedom and proper self-carriage, which is the kind of ride that dreams are made of whether you are a recreational trail rider or competitor at any level.

Happy Trails,
Sherry Jarvis

Author of Win Your Horse's Heart (And Be a Better Horseman)

“Good better best, never let it rest, make your good better and your better best” – George Burns

"It's been a long, long road but it's paying off, baby."--Calvin Borel

"High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation"--Charles Kettering

Limited Views

Limited Views

Hello Horse Lovers,
Last month I wrote about taking time for rest and play. And I have been practicing what I preach. I have taken time to baby sit and play with my nieces and nephews, I have played cribbage with my Dad, painted with my Mom, spent more time with Keith and my own horses and enjoyed fellowship at church again. During this pause from my regular work schedule I reflected on what has happened in the past ten months, tied up the loose ends of the year, and started to think about and plan for 2010. In fact the 2010 CAMP SCHEDULE is now on my website.

As I reflected on this past year, I discovered that it has been my most productive year to date. I also realized that there are some important things I can do in 2010 to make our services even better. One of those areas involves the young horse development, apprentice program, and mini clinics with free trail rides at my house. The main improvement that is in the beginning planning stages is accommodations for both you and your horse. If I can pull it off I am going to invest in a small lodge for horse owners and new corrals for the horses.

The housing to date has either been in my spare bedroom, at Wagner’s Bunkhouse, Snyder Street Cottage or Calamus Outfitters, all of which are very nice. However, I feel that having a small lodging facility here at my own place especially for the apprentices will be very advantageous. Making this dream reality is the next step. The design is on paper, and the estimates are coming in. The next thing will be figuring out how to finance all of this. I know that if I work smart and hard this too will happen. This will be a great addition to your experience here in the sandhills with me. I will still continue to have camps at Calamus Outfitters because they have the indoor arena etc. But for individuals or small groups of 2-3 and the apprentices it will be very convenient to have this option available.

The other thing that I am going to concentrate on in 2010 is another book and making some DVD’s. These are all big projects and I may be biting off more than I can chew. But I also know that progress will not happen unless I have the vision. I wonder how long it will take for all this to happen and I don’t have an answer for that yet. However, I do know it won’t happen at all if I limit my vision of these projects. And in fact, the more clear and detailed I am about the vision the quicker it will happen.

There is a term that highway engineers call a “limited sight distance”. Simply put you will drive at a speed that is proportional to how far you can see down the road. A curved hilly and wooded road is a dreamy landscape. But the traffic movement is predictably slow and erratic when the driver’s views are limited by trees, curves and hills. Drivers must reduce their speed to compensate for the unclear path ahead, especially those not familiar with the road.

As I map out my strategy for next year, the same thing can happen if I don’t have a clear view of where I am going. My pace will be slower the more limited my view is. The detailed plans and goals that I am putting down on paper will be the visual I need to reduce my limited sight distance and drive my business full speed ahead with the new roads I am going to build and travel down in 2010 and beyond.

Everybody seems to be in a hurry to get to their destinations these days. I know I won’t be able to move at optimum speed with the plans I have for 2010 if I have limited views. So I am working to make the views as clear and detailed as possible so that I can keep moving forward without traffic congestion.

For the rest of 2009 I will still be taking private lessons at my house or the mini clinic with FREE trail rides on Wed. throughout Nov. (weather permitting).
There will also be lessons available:
Nov. 8 Broken Bow Lessons/Play Day
Nov. 13-16 Omaha and Lincoln Lessons
Nov. 28 Broken Bow (Play day)
Dec. 6 Open House Christmas Party at Sherry’s in Burwell
Dec. 11-14 Omaha and Lincoln Lessons

The 2010 Lesson and Camp Schedule are now on the website and clinic schedule will be developing soon. So if you want to host a clinic, let me know as soon as possible, as I will be very, very busy next year, and I will do my best to fit in everyone who wants to take advantage of our services.

The clear and detailed plans that I am creating on paper for the 2010 calendar year is a de-cluttering process which will improve my sight line toward my 2010 goals. Without it I will have to be prepared for stop and go driving, inconsistent speed and plenty of deer in the road. But with it I am equipped to move forward and keep on trucking down the road because my view is not limited.

In closing don’t limit your views, make a clear path, so you can achieve your goals. Then set out a road map of how to get there and you WILL DO IT !

Until next time,

Sherry Jarvis

Heart in Your Hand Horsemanship LLC
308-346-5663
308-730-2150 cell

“The only limitations you have are those which are self-imposed”. – I don’t know who said it but I’m sure I heard it somewhere.

"The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision." -- Helen

Keller"People only see what they are prepared to see." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity." -- Louis Pasteur

"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." -- Ayn Rand