Rant Of The Week

Horsemanship

Week 3: horsemanship
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One of my biggest pet peeves is when people ride hms with their forearms NOT at a 90 degree from their elbow. I can't stand it! The rider should also keep the elbows in, and back. Pulling the elbows back, then opens up the shoulders. The wrists should NOT dip. They should "stand up". I can't stand it when people have an arch in their back. This, some may not be able to feel, but it's ok. (I'll leave tips below) A horsemanship riders chin MUST be up. It shows confidence. A riders Core MUST NOT move. It creates a MUCH prettier picture.
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How to fix:
1) wrists- tape popsicle sticks on both top and bottom of your wrist.
2) Elbows in- take twine and tie your elbows to your core.
3) Core- do some core work outs to strengthen it. Then, do lots of extending ad THINK about it.
4) Elbows Back- the only thing I have found to help this is think about it, have someone video you riding, and watch it.
5) chin up- tie twine from your pony tail to your back belt loop
6) Forearms up- *Repeat #4*
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Lower body... I can't tell you how many times I've seen riders legs so far out in front of them. You should have a straight line from your Shoulder, to your Hip, to your Heal. You should be sitting in your pockets (but still have the line). Your calves should be slightly gripping your horses side. Along with gripping, even though your toes are out, your Spurs should NOT be buried in your horses sides (unless your horse roles that way). How to fix:
1) Think and video... I can feel it when I do it. Once you get it right, you hardly do it wrong
2) There's this thing called feel children...
3) SITTTTT DOWNNNN
4) Take some Paper, have someone put it between your horses sides and your calf and rider with it there
5) Turn. Them. Out.
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Horse:
I'm NOT gonna tell you how to train your horse... Just make sure it can:
Spin
Extend and bring back
Back
Do all of this with a level (if not, ever so slightly below, I'm talkin an inch below) head
Responds quick and correct