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Why All The Fuss About Relaxation
If you have ever taken many riding lessons I'm sure you have heard the
word relaxation. It seems to be a staple in every instructors
vocabulary. Have you ever wondered why so many teachers, trainers, and
top riders place so much importance on it? Sometimes they are
referring to relaxation on the part of the horse and other times it's
the rider being encouraged to relax more. What is it about this one
aspect of riding horses that makes it so universally important?
Something that we must realize before going any farther in this
discussion is that there is a difference between riding a horse and
working a horse. If we are simply out for a trail ride or using the
ring just to enjoy the beautiful day on horseback, we are riding. On
the other hand if we are preparing for competition, trying to progress
to the next level of accomplishment in our chosen discipline, or
practicing what we learned in the previous lesson, then we are working
our horse. When we are just riding we are not doing anything in
particular to bring about specific results within the horse. However,
when working our horse we have a real purpose, That purpose is to
systematically and effectively bring about improvement in the physical
and mental condition of the horse.
When our horses are tense their muscles, tendons, ligaments, and
joints are not able to be as fluid in all of their actions as they
need to be. Since we are trying to progress and improve, we need the
horse able to perform to the best of it's ability. If our horse is not
relaxed while trying to accomplish this then there is no way to truly
make the kind of progress we are looking for. Not only does it make it
impossible for us to attain the desired results, it makes our horse
more susceptible to injury. When the horse is tense their movements
become sudden and abrupt. This can cause them to strain or pull
something quite easily without us ever asking them to do something
difficult, or unusual. Remember, even though they are very large
animals they are in many ways quite fragile. When we take over the
controls and start telling them when to stop or go, how to move, which
way to look and bend, etc. we had better be correct, or we put them at
a disadvantage when it comes to saving themselves from injury. The
more relaxed we can keep them the easier it is for them to take care
of themselves when working. That relaxation enables them to remain
fluid in their movements. This is crucial if we want to avoid
injuries.
The relaxation keeps the horse mentally able to understand and accept
what we are wanting them to do. When they are not worried about self
preservation from injury they are better able to cooperate with us.
They must be able to trust us. If every time we attempt to work them
we end up with a nervous, excited, frustrated horse then something is
wrong. If this is often the case than they will have a very difficult
time trusting us. They are creatures of habit, and have excellent
memories. Why should they trust us to give them a good experience
today if the last time was as unpleasant for them as it would have
been for us. They will trust us when we have earned it, and not
before.
If we are doing things correctly, each time we work our horse should
be better than the last time. We are building on the previous work.
Each workout lays the foundation for the next one. Of course, if we
don't have the relaxation to begin with than it's not very likely that
we will have the progress. The two go hand in hand. You can't separate
them.
Now, what about us as the rider. If we are tense, uptight, worried,
whatever, that transfers directly into our horse. If you are worried
about something and unable to shake it than it might be better to
lunge that day rather than ride. Be realistic about it. How are you
ever going to make progress if you upset the horse. Now I'm not
talking about letting the horse get away with things, or spoiling, or
just taking the easy way out. If you really feel that you are not
doing anything to cause tension in your horse, get some other
opinions. Most of us are not vary good at self critiquing. None of us
has the time or interest in spinning our wheels for nothing. If you
are not making progress, something is wrong. With the amount of time,
money, and effort it takes to bring along a horse these days, you and
your horse deserve to do it right and make progress. Don't hesitate to
get the help you need. One of the most common things I see over and
over again is a parent who rides and has children who ride. They are
more than willing to do anything to enable their child to improve but
simply are unable to justify spending the money on themselves. What
kind of example are they setting for the child? One that says it's ok
to flounder around making mistake after mistake going nowhere. Think
about it that way for once and you just might be able to do something
about it. Remember they learn much better from example.
So you see relaxation is a crucial element for both horse and rider
regardless of the chosen discipline. All of the top trainers and
riders value it because they know from experience how difficult it is
to get maximum cooperation, positive performance results, and remain
injury free without it. This is not a new concept. It is something
that has been an indispensable part of training horses handed down
through the centuries. When so many who have gone before us place so
much emphasis on this particular aspect of training, why would any of
us feel that it isn't that important. We all need relaxation in both
horse and rider for hunter/jumper, dressage, barrel racer, roper, etc.
It is the foundation that enables us to build everything else. Without
a solid and stable foundation
nothing can stand the test of time. Build on a firm correct foundation
and your work will enable you to show steady growth and progress with
a much happier and relaxed horse.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Dunigan has been teaching and competing in excess of 40 years. He
has taught and competed in Barrel Racing, Hunter/Jumper, Eventing,
Dressage and served as President of a local Dressage Association.
During this time, he Fox Hunted four days a week with two different
Hunt clubs, one of which he served as Joint Master. Bill qualified six
years in a row for the World Championships with the National Barrel
Horse Association.
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