Lesson One
On the horse never relax. In contrast, like comfortably sitting on the edge of a chair, always maintain the core energy needed to remain upright and act as needed. The rider's presence as friend and leader must be evident.
Addressed here is the distinction between relaxation, the release of tension and the need for free flowing core activity. While walking we humans do not release the jaw and drop it, or do we? We do not fall asleep while sitting upright on a chair, whereas while relaxing in a lounge chair we may. No movement and no concentration without core energy. The German equestrian term Losgelassenheit indicates the release of tensions. The translation relaxation is a far cry from it. These are just a few examples.
Next will be how to build a frame, which invisibly must exist to communicate with the horse, guide and as needed correct it. To properly understand this concept the rider is introduced to how the horse's turning, bending and rising go together. And how human and equine physiology correspond, despite completely different orientations in gravity.
The rider begins seat lessons.
Lesson Two
Somewhere between forehand and hindquarters, right under the rider's seat is the mounted horse's center of balance. Before the rider gets on and joins the horse's balance he introduces himself to the horse. This he does walking, halting and turning it. He observes how horses in liberty move and turn at all speeds. Video
Lesson Three
With this information in mind the rider mounts, finds his balances, releases his muscles (the rider's Losgelassenheit) and activates his core. After a few laps in the walk (the horse on the assistant's lead rope) he takes up the reins and - using the turn of his shoulders - begins to take control of directions (indicating directions to the assistant). He makes sure his seat inclines towards the direction of movement. Video
Lesson Four
The rider frames the neck with his reins and gets in touch with the horse's jaw. Walking along the wall he does a review of his seat. Are his legs relaxed and in place, heels dropped? Is his pelvis level? Is his vertebra rising like a column from the sacrum? Are his shoulders level. Is he turning the horse with his shoulders? Do his reins have the same length? Does he feel the horse's mouth in his ring fingers? Are his elbows softly touching his hips? Video
Lesson Five
The rider takes control of the horse and begins to lead it between hands and heels, while maintaining the upright center line, which is both the joint center of balance and the pivot of the rider's turning motions. He alternates between walking and stopping. Video
Lesson Six
On a medium size eight the rider gets to know the direct and the indirect rein effects.
Lesson Seven
The rider learns to do a controlled strike-off and short phases of the sitting trot without change of posture and muscle tension.
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