“Ten Tips to Help Riders”
“Ten Tips to Help Riders”
About Elizabeth
– If you would like to know more about Elizabeth then listen to her previous chats
082 – First Chat – Elizabeth McMaster
344 – Listeners’ Choice (082)
About This Episode
“Ten Tips to Help Riders”
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“Ten Tips to Help Riders”
1) Gear :
– Especially bridles : nosebands : flash straps often too tight & as a result are pulling the cavesson down, so both straps sit too low. Very irritating and unkind to the horse.
– Overtightened nosebands are likely to set up more resistance. If he can’t move his jaw how can he relax or mouth the bit?
2) Saddle must fit horse AND rider.
– Elizabeth is not a big fan of some the newer dressage saddles with very large knee-rolls & very high cantles – riders tend to depend on them rather than develop their core strength.
3) Rider fitness :
– Elizabeth recently watched the 60 cm class at a Horse Trials event. Was interested to see quite a lot of girls heading out to the start : their horses appeared fit, healthy, gear suitable; on return to the last 2 obstacles it was obvious that the riders were a lot less fit than their horses!
4) Get some help with your position, lessons, lungeing if possible.
– It is easier for your horse to carry you if you sit correctly: he will try to step under your weight to maintain his own balance. A correct, secure position will enable you to to have a better, steadier contact with your horse’s mouth.
Elizabeth also found, that back when she taught a lot of children, that dancing lessons were wonderful to help their co-ordination on the pony.!
A quote Elizabeth likes is “First one needs to move in harmony with the horse, then one is able to influence the horse’s movement” Jean Luc Cornille
5) Learn to recognise your horse”s natural rhythm.
– Keep it as regular as possible, this will help to develop relaxation, mental and physical. Elizabeth often see horses pushed out of rhythm in the desire to create activity.
6) Then, do you need him to wait a little?
– Try, to slow your body a little, the works well, esp. in trot, horses pick up a lot from our body movements.
– If he is lazy, try not to fall into the trap of kicking, nagging every stride , he will most likely will end up ignoring you. The other result may be that you push him out of his rhythm and create tension, running.
7) Make sure you are not blocking him with your hands, then ask with your legs. Little or no response : legs and whip together.
– BE CONSISTENT with this order : when he goes forward, leave him alone until he slacks off, re-apply. Practice so you can use whip just behind your leg – be careful not to sting him in the flank.
8) Roundness is important BUT get the hind quarters going and rhythm established first.
– Elizabeth sees so many horses ridden from front to back rather than back to front. The horse should learn to seek a constant contact and follow the bit whether you are stretching him down or shortening the frame. Try to push him towards the bit, not pull him back to you.
9) Learn to use the arena and ride accurate figures.
– Doing this regularly in schooling will help with suppling and bending.
– Remember that the judge wants to see that your horse can work equally on both sides. Use your corners but don’t go deeper than your horse’s balance and suppleness can handle. Too deep with a green horse may have you ‘ fishtailing’ on the way out!
10) Read your rule book, and don’t neglect the definitions of paces and the training scale!
Time Stamps
01:19 – Background
01:50 – Introduction
02:32 – 1) Gear
03:30 – 2) Saddle must fit horse AND rider.
04:40 – 3) Rider fitness
06:08 – 4) Get some help with your position, lessons, lungeing if possible.
08:55 – 5) Learn to recognise your horse”s natural rhythm.
09:35 – 6) Then, do you need him to wait a little?
10:30 – 7) Make sure you are not blocking him with your hands, then ask with your legs.
11:30 – 8) Roundness is important BUT get the hind quarters going and rhythm established first.
12:55 – 9) Learn to use the arena and ride accurate figures.
12:55 – 10) Read your rule book, and don’t neglect the definitions of paces and the training scale!
17:52 – Summary
Contact: see details below
Elizabeth’s Contact Details
Phone: 0468 640 066 or 02 4777 4163
or + 61 468 640 066 or + 61 2 4777 4163
Email: ea.mcm@hotmail.com
Music
BenSound.com
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