The many different types of gait available in
the different gaited breeds (as well as the ability of many gated horses
to perform more than one type of gait) requires the rider to be aware of
the requests or demands that their seat is making of the horse.
 |
Figure 1
Level Back |
 |
Figure 2
Ventroflexed Back |
The above two skeletons illustrate the level and
ventroflexed back of a horse.
| The ventroflexed back (Figure 2) is the
shape the horse carries his back in the gaits of :
Pace Stepping Pace Rack Stepped Rack Corto Largo Sobreandando Tolt |
The level back (Figure 1) is the shape
the horse carries his back in the gaits of :
Walk Flatwalk Runningwalk Foxtrot
|
Weight Aids
What are Weight Aids? First you need to remember
that the horse reacts to a pressure or aid in a predictable way that is
natural or instinctive for a horse. You need to put this into practice
when you are applying a weight aid. An often seen mistake is when a rider
applies a rein or leg Cue and an inappropriate weight aid.
For example:
Centering Your Weight
In order to be effective in the use of weight aids, you need to be aware
of WHERE you are caring your weight. One of the best ways to be effective
in the use of your weight, and to achieve the best balance it to "center"
your weight. As a riding instructor for many years, I have worked with
all types of people in helping them become conscious of their weight placement
and how to use the weight aids effectively. One of the best means I have
found is "Inserting a crystal ball."
First we have to locate your center. Sit up straight in your chair and
place your hand on your belly button. Now close your eyes and visualize
that there is a Crystal Ball behind your hand in your abdomen, right behind
your hand and centered just in front of your spinal column, between your
hips. Really get a visual image of the crystal ball it is clear and shiny.
Now begin to "fill the crystal ball". You do this by taking the weight
from various parts of your body and "moving" it into the crystal ball.
First start with the lower extremities, then the head, shoulders, arms
and torso. You should soon have a ball that is "FILLED" it is dark and
heavy, filled with your weight.
You will notice that you have a tendency to tighten your abdominal muscles
as you perform this exercise. This is a GOOD thing, but make sure that
you do not hollow your back. Your back should be straight, as the crystal
ball fills with weight.
Get the feel of this on your chair, right here in front of the computer,
and then begin to practice this on a horse. The practical application of
this exercise is that it gives you a VERY secure seat. After all you are
placing the BULK of your weight about 6 to 8 inches ABOVE THE CENTER OF
THE SADDLE! I have demonstrated how secure this can make a rider by having
them close their eyes and then SHOVING them from their shoulder without
warning. They WILL NOT BECOME dislodged. IF they have their center. BEWARE
if you try this, that the person doing the shoving has one hand on the
shoulder and the other near the leg of the rider on the same side. The
rider that does not have their center will topple, so a firm hand applied
on the leg can save them from a fall!
Once you have your crystal ball turned into a "lead ball" and you can
maintain it, you are in a position where you can begin to redistribute
your weight and apply seat/rein cues to affect the horse. Work to maintain
a balanced, center seat with your body in the base
position, then you can make adjustments which will influence
the horse's gait.
Affecting the position of the horse's back.
If you take a good look at the images of the horses spinal column above,
you can see that the horse's back, from withers to lumbo-sacral junction
is somewhat flexible. The exact position of the rider's weight on a horse's
back and the engagement of the seat can make the horse either more or less
hollow. I cannot stress enough that you need to understand and be able
to apply the balanced, center seat before you begin to try to influence
the horses carriage and gait by your position and weight aids. There are
no short cuts. Having worked with people for many years with gaited horses,
I know many will have the tendency to "cut to the chase". If they are looking
to have their horse perform a running walk for example, just skip to the
part of this article that addresses that gait. Well, if you do not use
and apply the rest of the information already addressed here, the other
stuff will not work very well or at all.
Simple Start Exercises
Put the horse at a walk with light
contact. Sit square in the saddle, insert your crystal ball and fill
it. Perform the exercises described in WORKING
The WALK and Exercises
at the Walk until you and your horse become proficient at them then
which direction you go with your horse is determined by the gait his conformation,
breed and inclination take him!
You are working your horse at the
shoulder
in .
To perform the shoulder in correctly, the rider keeps his weight on
the outside seat bone. If you shift your weight to the inside seat bone,
it forces the horse to move laterally while twisted. The horse will also
be likely to drift to the inside instead of maintaining the correct direction
of travel. In contrast, when the weight of the body is used correctly,
it will increase the horses tendency to step well underneath himself with
the inside hind leg as he tries to step under the riders center of gravity.
Achieving Response, Gait and Confidence through Relaxation
Rider Affect on the Horses Movement
MAKING CONTACT How to use a bit
