Applied Posture Riding Workshop
This was a workshop organised by the equestrian club for their members. Some members were very exccited at the opportunity to investigate a new topic and others were quite skeptical and thought it a waste of time and money.
The morning session involved me teaching "Pure Pilates" to the group.A quick anatomy lesson in the horse riding muscle surprised a few. The hamstrings are a dominant muscle in dressage. No horses were involved everybody laid on the floor and followed the instructions in order to gain core muscle initiation. We moved onto testing and strengthening this muscle. The session progressed to the exercise balls. A simple explanation on the application of the movement patterns to horse riding was given. Many could see the relevance and how simple it was. Unfortunatley time did not permit us to do more. The movement patterns I have developed are the same movements we require on the horse. If core stabilty is trained on the exercise ball and the ability to practice the independant aids we use in riding, with, good posture allows a rider to develop better skill. These exercises teach the rider about the postures needed to develop an independant deep seat.
The afternoon session was what I call a "Riding Lesson" not a dressage lesson. It was a bit confronting for dressage riders to drop their reins and not do any work on the bit.
The lesson was all about the riding posture and exercises on how to achieve a good riding posture. The first exercise was aimed at achieving a stable lower leg in the stirrup and then without the stirrup. We did these exercises at the walk and the trot. We moved onto the sit trot and how to use the breathing pattern to absorb the two beat impact. Finally we did some cantering with and without stirrups with the arms held up wide apart. This was very exciting for most. Many finally felt the beat of the canter through their seat for the first time. Some struggled but did well.
It was very confronting for some well to do riders to discover they do not have a well estabilshed lower leg and deep seat. My job was to assess and teach people as they presented. I am a Physiotherapist and a rider. I was not there to judge and critisice. I know almost everybody loved it and can't wait to go away and practice. I know those that do will be better riders with in a short time frame and achieve their goals good luck to you and see you at the next clinic
