EveryRider

5 Great Ways to Improve your Riding

Regardless of our skill level or chosen discipline the one thing as riders we all have in common is the dreaded "plateau"  Many riders can not afford lessons on a consistent basis and find themselves unable to progress past a certain point.  Here are a few sure fire ways to improve your riding skills by implementing these tools both on and off the horse...

5. Develop your eye 

Watching others ride can be a great way to improve upon your own riding skills.  Many of us are visual learners; therefore, observing others can be a valuable way to make new connections in the mind that carry when we return to the saddle. If you are unable to observe lessons auditing a clinic is the perfect opportunity for eye development. Watch as many horse/rider combinations as possible.  As the instructor critiques and offers feed back try to identify with your own issues. This is not about looking for faults but rather observing trends in order to identify the cause and effect. 

Although observing advanced riders can be inspirational, I have found it more helpful to observe riders closer to your own skill level. Watching someone work through similar issues while listening to the instructors input can be very helpful.  Don't forget to pay close attention to the response of the horse as well.  After all the horse is the ultimate judge of how effective the riders aids truly are.

4. Research

The fact that you are here reading this post is a good start ;)  The internet age applies to equestrians too!  There is a wealth of knowledge online allowing you to explore and learn more about every facet of the equestrian world you could possibly desire.  There are several websites providing resources in the form of online articles, and e books, demonstration videos and more.  If you can't find what your looking for online, these sites can certainly direct you to where you can buy what your looking for.  I am a big amazon fan because of its ease of use and the inclusion of reader reviews and ratings for each selection.  There are hundreds of books about riding, training and equestrian fitness ready to ship to your door with one click of your mouse.  Youtube is finding its share of horse fanatical users these days as well... Unfortunately, because the content is user generated, finding what your looking for depends on the ability of the person uploading to assign the appropriate tags.  Here is an example of a helpful video I found on youtube last week by Wendy Murdoch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj81HW76qCc

3. Cross Training

In an earlier post entitled "Fit to Ride"  we discussed the benefits of pilates as a complimentary form of exercise for equestrians.  

Pilate's - focuses on strengthening the 'core' of your body, which is very important in riding. Pilate’s is the only form of exercise I have ever found that truly worked my lower abdominal muscles. It attacks the dreaded pouch below the belly button that we all love to hate. Pilates not only makes you stronger and more flexible but it also allows you to work up a sweat.

There are several forms of exercise that compliment riding. Some are programs in and of themselves and require lessons. Other simpler forms such as walking, hiking or swimming certainly will help you stay fit.  If you pick a structured form of exercise to support your riding, please be sure to pick a sport that covers flexibility/stretching, strength training, balance, and most importantly equal use and development of both the left and right sides of the body ( ambidextrous ).

2.  Become Aware

To ride well, you need to master a wide range of skills such as balance, sensitivity, controlled strength, suppleness and, empathy with the animal on which you are seated. Posture is critical, because the synchronized use of the back, seat, legs, and hands has a powerful influence on the animal beneath you. A horse cannot be forced to perform a movement, but it can be persuaded to do so. By applying the Alexander principles and sitting in a balanced way, riding can be effortless.

Other recommended techniques to assist riders include the Feldenkrais method and other forms of body awareness exercises such as T'ai Chi. These dismounted exercises can  help you find balance, and become more aware of the interaction between the muscle, skeletal and nervous systems.

1. Ride, Ride, Ride

Clinics, videos, lectures and books are all great tools but they won't do you much good until you spend time putting theory into practice. Whether your ambition is to move up a level in competition, trail riding, or gaining the confidence you need to handle any situations that come up, there is no replacement for hours in the saddle.  Riding doesn't always have to be in lesson form.  It can also be helpful to spend sometime riding alone, allowing yourself to gain feedback from the horse and develop feel. Preparation, Practice and Patience is the key to great riding.

 

Problem Horses

I came across this video on youtube and found it quite inspiring.  It was made by a young trainer who shows us how much progress can be made with so called "problem horses" through diligence, patience and understanding.

Here is the description written by Halfpassgal that accompanies the video entitled "Breath"

I made this movie after working with a number of horses with problems and watching others walk down that path. Too many people watching the behavior, and forgetting to really question the why. For some riders it is a lack of knowledge. For others it is ignorance, pride, maybe even turning a blind eye.

When we ask a horse to work we have taken on a responsibility. There is reason behind every action. Whether it be pain, fear, need to be dominant, misunderstanding, or something else. If you know why you can react why. When you don't know why it is more likely to send you down the wrong path.

I am not perfect, no one is. I have made mistakes, and will make more. Learn and grow from them, but don't ignore and hide them.

Take the time to understand.
The horse won't lie.

Needles, Herbs and Horses

Life lessons teach us to be skeptical.  Skepticism is the mindset that says, “I’ll believe it when I see it…and even then I'll have doubts.  In practical terms skeptics need to see a reasonable degree of external proof before they’ll believe anything out of the ordinary. 

These days we are constantly bombarded with dubious claims of miracle cures, get rich schemes and endless combinations of the two. Eternally optimistic, I too have fallen victim to a quick fix or two on occasion.  I have yet to to send any "exiled" Nigerians my account number, but I have purchased a few life altering as seen on TV products during bouts of insomnia.  Skepticism can be a good thing if keeps people from being too gullible and being taken advantage of.  However, sometimes in being too closed minded we do ourselves and our animals a disservice. 

There has been a great increase in interest in alternative veterinary practices such as acupuncture and the use of herbal remedies in the equine area recently, both by the public and the veterinary medical community.  The eastern approach to health is totally different from how Americans think of medicine.  Western medicine aims at treating the condition while Eastern medicine is focused on overall wellness and treating the whole body. The concepts of Eastern medicine are sometimes hard to relate to the American penchant for proof. 

Alternative medicine is a phrase that is used to describe a wide range of health care modalities including acupuncture, herbalism, homeopathy, massage and other touch therapies, and flower essences among others.  It is generally defined as "...those treatments and health care practices not taught in medical schools and not generally used in hospitals" 

Interestingly, many of these alternative medical approaches have been in existence for hundreds if not thousands of years in various parts of the world.  Acupuncture, an ancient health care modality originating in the Far East, has roots that are at least 3000 years old.  Herbs, acupuncture and homeopathy are still used effectively and extensively in many countries around the world, and are often viewed as the primary form of treatment in those countries.

Treating illness and pain in horses can be difficult, frustrating, and expensive. Even when we have a clear and accurate diagnosis there are many conditions not easily cured with conventional western medicine.  In an earlier post I discussed the plight of my 12 year old Appaloosa Bailey who suffers from  from Equine Recurrent Uveitis.  His last flare up was the worst I had ever seen.  It lasted 8 weeks and cost almost a thousand dollars.  I was treating the eye with a combination of antibiotics, steriods and anti inflammatories.  As the two month mark approached I was concerned that Bailey was not only loosing his patience with my constant medicating, he was also loosing his vision.  It was out of desperation that I decided to try something new.

A local Veterinarian with an extensive background in alternative therapies including, acupuncture and the use  of Chinese herbs suggested a product called Haliotis Powder or (Jue-ming-san). In the Traditional Chinese Medicine guide it states that Jue-ming-san or Concha Haliotidis  is used in formulas to treat high blood pressure,eye redness with light sensitivity, blurred vision, glaucoma, cataracts, and headaches spasms. This supposedly works by clearing heat in the liver; thus detoxifying and brightening the eye. 

Although I was doubtful that this Herbal formula would prove effective I decided to purchase a one month supply. She suggested I also schedule an acupuncture session for Bailey as well. I was willing to try the powder but I was still skeptical about surrounding an already aching eye with needles.

Within 3 days of beginning the haliotis powder virtually all swelling and tearing had disappeared and Bailey's eye had regained clarity and color.  It has been two months now with no sign of the flare up returning.  I don't know why it worked.  I still have no idea what heat in the liver has to do with the eyes, but quite frankly it doesn't matter.  As long as Bailey is out grazing with his buddies instead of hanging his head in a dark corner I will continue to use the product. 

This small success set the stage for another two weeks ago with my 7 year old palomino mare "Maddie."  Maddie has been dealing with chronic back pain for the last three years.  As we advanced through the levels of training we always came to a point where she was physically unable to progress.  She would become extremely back sore followed by extreme attitude.  I later found out about an incident early on in her training involving flipping over on and breaking a western saddle. 

Trying to correct the problem, I made the terrible mistake of placing my mare in the hands of an incompetent chiropractic adjustor ( not a vet! there is a big difference)  Not only did he insist she be sedated, twitched and wear a chain but he managed to make a bad situation much worse.  After Maddie's treatment she could barely walk let alone be ridden.  After several more mis diagnosis and failed attempts to rehabilitate I finally gave up.  Luckily, she is a beautiful mare that adores children.  Being a palomino that resembles "Barbie's horse" apparently has its advantages.  She became a child only lesson horse and life size model to be brushed and fawned over.

I was told that Dr. Froeling often incorporated chiropractic work and acupuncture in her practice so I thought it might be worth asking her to do an assessment on Maddie.  I figured if Chinese herbs can cure eyes maybe needles can help sore backs.

The doctor ran her hands down the spine and over her legs checking her feet and teeth.  she stretched and flexed, pushed and pulled all while consoling Maddie with her voice.  After the  assessment was complete, Dr. Froeling determined it was not her back but her neck and teeth that were causing my mare such discomfort.  She said that Maddie had a slight overbite that was causing problems that needed to be addressed further than the once to twice a year floating.  The dental problems were directly related to the inability to properly use the lower back and hindquarters.  She also found signs of damage to the poll rather than the back most likely the result of her being flipped. 

She asked if she could do an adjustment and administer acupuncture that day.  I was reluctant to have her adjusted but decided to proceed after the Doctor assured me sedation would not be necessary as it would be a relatively painless procedure.  I spent the next 20 minutes with my jaw dropped as I watched the interaction between Dr. Froeling and my mare.  The same horse that most times reacted with violence at light massage was standing relaxed and perfectly still while she was pulled, twisted and popped then transformed into an equine pin cushion.

Dr. Froeling taught me numerous stretches and exercises to keep Maddie comfortable for riding.  After seeing my mare do everything under the sun for this doctor including hopping on three legs (literally) I was ready to listen to whatever she had to say.  She suggested I incorporate the new stretches into our daily routine and that we slowly return to work.  The Doctor said what I never expected to hear... "Maddie should be fine.  I expect she should be capable of a full recovery."

I was still reluctant to believe it was that simple but I couldn't help but feel excited and hopeful at the possibilities.  Only time will tell if Maddie will become all I dreamed she could be but so far I could not be happier with the results.  I saw an amazing difference in a matter of days. For the first time in more than two years she is moving forward, stretching down and beginning to round her back. 

I am certainly not ready to abandon western medicine, however these experiences have opened my eyes to a different approach to maintaining health.  I think we can all benefit by combining both the advanced diagnostics available and wondrous cures seen with Western medicine aided by the techniques which utilize the body's natural healing powers. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe health is represented as a balance of yin and yang. These two forces represent the bipolar manifestation of all things in nature, and because of this, one must be present to allow the other to exist.

The idea is that maintaining overall wellness and preventing discord is superior to dealing with the after effects.  At the core of eastern medicine is the belief that as balance is restored in the body, so is health.  Perhaps this approach is more of a philosophy than an exact science, but I think this theory is not as backward as western dogma would have us believe.  The goal is achieving and maintaining balance, and that is something we could all use a little more of...