Riding Helped by Visualization
Visualization is a great tool to help new riders understand what being horseback is “supposed” to feel like, after the break Susan and I will share a few of our favorites. Like dancing, baseball or skiing there is a right way to ride a horse, but most neophytes don’t have any concept of what to expect right Susan? Jeff, the most import component when you climb aboard a horse is confidence, think positively, horses respond to leadership. Once on, how do you sit correctly? Trainer Julie Goodnight tells her students to imagine that their heels are boat anchors, thinking of them as weights helps to keep feet in the stirrups and heals down. She also instructs new riders to visualize their pelvis as containing liquid gold. Meaning hips need to remain as level as possible, if you lean too far forward or back precious gold will spill out. Susan there is nothing worse than riding with your stirrups the wrong length, a good rule of thumb is to be able to have two to three inches of clearance between your seat and the saddle if when you stand up. And new riders can be hard on a horse’s mouth. So the first time you pick up the reins think light, don’t hold your hands rigid and stiff, act like you’re holding a cup of coffee or a baby bird and… don’t forget to breath, a few deep breaths sits you deep in the saddle and calms your horse. Susan riding has been compared to dancing, that big horse is your partner so go with the motion instead of fighting it. Like dancing, someone has to lead, when your horseback …it’s better be you. I’m Jeff Keane
