This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just wanted to say how valuable photos of riding can > be. > So back to the drawing board... I took my stirrups > down a notch, removed the > breast collar which is I think too small (I'll buy > another before we hit > those steep trails), and convinced Tommes that arena > work is FUN. Look up and > relax those damn reins. > > Do any of you use pictures or videos to critique > yourself? Brigid, Yes!! When we were taking riding lessons, and having our geldings trained, we took videos of every session - whether we were riding the horse, or whether the trainer was. It's very helpful to go home, watch the tape, see what is going on, and then have constructive questions for the next sessions. You learn a LOT more viewing the video in the more relaxed atmosphere of your living room. You see things you didn't see - or weren't aware of - during the learning session. We also were able to take advantage of the trainer's suggestions when we were working the horses at home, by having the sessions on video tape. There was none of the "what did he say about this?". "I THINK this is what he said." "Am I doing this right?" "Wonder how he gets this horse to do this." Etc., Etc. Had to chuckle at your comments about 'looking at the ground' and 'holding the reins too tight'. I think maybe we all tend to do that, for some reason. The comments I heard most - whether it was me in the training arena, or someone else - were "look ahead, look up", and "relax, lighten your touch on the reins!" One thing I learned which seems to help lighten your grip on the reins is to take a deep breath, physically relax your rear back and down into the saddle(western), and then think of handling those reins with only your thumb and one finger. Also helps to TRY doing this: put the reins over your index finger and hold them in place with your thumb. Now just 'point' by either rolling your hand over slightly(palm comes up) to the right - horse should go right - roll your hand back(thumb is now up) and just point to the left slightly with your index finger - horse should move left. Another exercise we used: if you are still riding 'flat handed' - reins held together across each other - in the snaffle bit. Run both reins through one hand(usually right), left rein going on through to the right and right rein going on through to the left. Raise your 'pinky', extend your arm slightly, and 'point' your horse to the right (point right with that pinky). Now change hands, raise your 'pinky' and 'point' your horse to the left. If he doesn't get the idea, since this is used during beginning exercises when switching from a direct rein to a neck rein, use your 'pinky' to 'cheat him a little' - touch the direct(outside) rein with your pinky to tip his head in the direction you want to go. This sure helps keep the horse light on the bit, and your hands light. Mary ===== Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one Place. http://shopping.yahoo.com/
