Our stiffness does not have to adversely affect our horse
as we get older.
I am creaking along when I first get up in the morning and I was just saying to someone the other day that I think I am a better rider now than I was when I was younger and more flexible.
I read a lovely on line conversation recently – an older rider worrying that their stiffness was getting in the way of their very talented young horse reaching their potential, that prompted my thoughts here.
It’s not the reaching of potential that would worry me, but the way that our stiffnesses adversely effect our horse’s movement, developing stiffnesses, tensions and corresponding muscular problems in our horse – that would worry me more.
When we are uneven our horse is uneven, when we are stiff to the left our horse is stiff to the left, when our back is stiff with the discomfort and tensions from old falls, then our horse wears that tension and bracing and bless their generous hearts, it doesn’t feel pretty to them (classic Aussie understatement there) and can have long term adverse effects on their bodies. Well – you don’t have to be an older rider to be doing that!
Don’t panic though – if you know me, then you already know that I don’t give you a problem without giving you a solution.
We can change all that adverse effect on our horse – we can change most of the stiffnesses, and tensions in our own bodies too.
I usually give a lesson away at this point. I give a lot of stuff away on this website – I have shared lots of valuable information, given lots of free lessons. I just can’t give the answer to this one away – there are too many lessons involved.
The 20 lessons in Foundation for Riding Excellence at a measly $140 will be enough to get most people released of the stiffnesses, tensions and braces that are adversely affecting their horse in their older age.
My background as an alternative therapist and my passion for feeling good mentally, emotionally and physically both with and without our horses, has led me to a new way of helping people to be better riders.
It’s unique. It’s effective. And like everything else I do, I’ll give you your money back if you either don’t like it or don’t get results.
Click here to have a look at Foundation for Riding Excellence – you’ll see heaps of testimonials there. 🙂
Oh how I wish I had found you years ago. I started riding at 46. Here I am at 56, just getting the message. Thankfully, my 4th coach understands it, and was able to diagnose my tension issue within a couple of lessons. “Relax your glutes!” was a lightbulb moment. All other coaches thought the tension stemmed from fear – it doesn’t. If I was afraid of falling off or losing control, I wouldn’t get on. I’m still working on it, probably always will be, to get and keep the feeling of being one with my horse, with my sit bones connected to her back and my whole body draped around her, feeling the relaxation in her by the easy swing of her back. At that moment, it feels both exhilarating and effortless.
I am so glad to be able to experience this before my riding days are done. I was diagnosed with MS in 2012 and it has been progressing rather quickly. Luckily, I have a smart mare that has adapted to my changing strengths and imbalances. I don’t know what I would do without her to keep me focused and in the moment.
Now, if only the temperature would rise high enough to melt the mountain of snow here in Canada, we could get outside of the arena and RIDE!
PS. I am going to purchase your progamme. Is it possible to send it to Canada? Also, I found a Feldenkrais practitioner in my home town, and she rides!
Wooohoo Allison – how cool that you have found a place that is both effortless and exhilarating – well done you! Yes you can get the lessons in Canada – no problems – it’s all done over the internet and phone in some cases. I currently have a few students in Canada.
The good news about the cold weather, is that quite a few of the lessons can be done without your horse and come the snow melting, you could have a head start on becoming a better rider – although hey exhilarating and effortless is already pretty cool!
Re the part about always working on it… We “get” stuff in layers and in my experience so far every time I think “ahhh… now I have REALLY got it” I find that there is another wonderful deeper, more connected and even more amazing place. I have started thinking that this is a never ending journey and I for one am enjoying that with bells on!
How lucky for you – a riding Feldenkrais practioner. I have one living next door in Sue McKibbon and our Monday morning Feldenkrais sessions prompted some of the insights that became part of the work that we do on the course.