This week in lessons

This week in lessons we will be working on hands/arm position.

To help with arm strength and dexterity, you will all have to start by shoveling snow for at least 5 minutes...or raking the edge of the arena. Let's call it the Hillside Fitness program!

Kidding.

Sort of.

Rob actually did a good job of clearing snow from the driveway and parking lot.

But I am serious about working on arm and hand position, both on the flat and over fences.

I will have an "off horse" exercise for those who tend to straighten their arms,  to show how doing this blocks the energy and ability to give to the horse, and creates resistance in the horse.

We are then going to work on the horse to create awareness and muscle memory for the range of movement we should allow our hands/arms to have (maintaining straight line elbow/wrist/bit). We are also going to work on developing consistent contact in the gaits that you have an independent seat (meaning your hands can act independently of your body so you aren't going to be unfairly poking your horse in the mouth by having contact).

Once you are able to have a consistent contact, your horse will take more comfort in the bit, as the bit will be steadier, and the horse will have a more consistent line of communication. The losey goosey reins are more jabby/bumpy to the horse, and sensitive horses will react to that type of contact by getting nervous.

To help get this consistent contact for jumping, we will be doing jumps on an arc, as well as a skinny jump. For both jumping and flat there will be a bit of a stearing exercise to help instill the need for contact and proper hand/arm usage.

Karen