Symmetry Feed Routine

Over the years, I have heard MANY different opinions on the topic of hay and feed, but like everyone also says, ask a horseman their opinion, and be prepared to hear 4-5 differing ideas from the SAME person.  I have developed some of my own opinions, but I constantly seek to further my knowledge and provide the best care that is available to me to the horses.  At Symmetry, each horse is fed on a case by case basis taking into account each horse's individual needs.  Some horses need to gain weight, but slowly and safely.  Other horses are at a solid weight, but need to maintain and build muscle.

I have several older school horses that need that bit of extra TLC.  These guys are terrific and are the heart and soul of my lesson program.  Their value to me is NOT just monetary, because honestly, I love these guys dearly and want the best for them.  I have a pretty well developed feed routine.  I currently have them on Pennfield All Phase and Pennfield Fibrogized Omega for daily supplementing and on Sundays, we celebrate Psylluim Sunday with Red Bran and you guessed it Psyllium.  That in my husband's words makes it a "crappy Monday" (he does the am stall cleaning and can verify this).  In the summer I add electrolytes and add electrolytes as needed after a tough fall or winter ride to replace what my equine partner might have lost. 

 I believe in daily complete vitamins for my active middle age to senior horses.  So, I supplement with Adeptus' Nimble.  I have NOTHING but great things to say about this product!!  I actually was referred to it by a top level trainer/competitor who swears by it (and is also sponsored by them... lucky girl!!).  Long story short, I figured that I'd give it a go.  This supplement replaced daily isoxuprine on my older guy with full blown navicular and REDUCED his need for bute!!!  So, while it may initially have seemed more costly, it actually SAVED me about $100/month because it provided the same support the prescriptions provided in a daily supplement that I would have been purchasing anyway.  The one draw back  is perhaps it's palatability... my other golden oldies have consistently left this precious powder at the bottom of the bucket (despite it being mixed in; what a feat!).  The guy with navicular will eat anything, so he's never left so much as a speck behind...  oh well, you win some, you lose some!

The last, but perhaps MOST important part of our routine is access to quality hay.  Sadly because of the prohibitively high price of orchard and timothy hay,  we use bermuda hay.  I would prefer to use orchard, but until the day when I win the lottery I am using bermuda.  Secondly, I use alfalfa... being a native from Illinois, I am partial to alfalfa... that was the most common hay, and ALL of my horses there were on it.  Alfalfa does have a lot of protein and does tend to give the horses a bit of extra go.  I like my farrier's comment though, "Bermuda with skinny horses is like an anorexic with iceberg lettuce"... in other words it has almost no value and provides filler calories.  I find the bermuda useful in keeping the horses munching all day, but the alfalfa is the main course.   Since I believe very firmly in horses having access to hay throughout the day, I provide up to 3 flakes per feeding rather than the one to two that I have seen offered at other barns.  My goal is to see hay left over from the evening feed in the morning so that I can be sure that they were grazing rather than gulping the hay.  Since, my current supplier has TOP NOTCH hay, and very reasonable priced bales for bulk purchasing, I can offer the extra hay without a hike in pricing.  The company I use is "We Got Hay"... delivery is fast and efficient, and the bales are ALWAYS neatly stacked for me. 

Over the years, I have heard MANY different opinions on the topic of hay and feed, but like everyone also says, ask a horseman their opinion, and be prepared to hear 4-5 differing ideas from the SAME person.  At Symmetry, each horse is fed on a case by case basis taking into account each horse's individual needs.  Some horses need to gain weight, but slowly and safely.  Other horses are at a solid weight, but need to maintain and build muscle.  So, the reality is that each horse that is brought in is placed on a feed routine that meets their needs; be they a grand gentleman to a plump pony.  Of course the most important part is monitoring the outcomes of the feeding program and making changes with the consent or at the request of the owners.  

See you in the Ring!!

Crystal

Equestrian Professionalism and Business Ethics

This is a topic that I had already put lots of thought into as someone who was making the transition from an equine amateur to a professional.  I had established that I would treat my new business in the manner that I would as a services professional.  I had the opportunity to bounce my ideas off of a couple of well known equine professionals and felt that my ideas were indeed very reasonable.

One of my core tenants is that there are many areas of expertise within the equestrian community and even within the same discipline, there are professionals with different strengths.  This being the case, I feel very strongly that instead of the rivalry that is prevalent, I would embrace a style that seems to be favored by the eventing community; good natured competition, but under it all a high degree of professionalism and sportsmanship.  I would like to see a positive change in some of the lower levels of the sport, where instead of being in a constant state of competition, we recognize the strengths of others and support them.

In practice this is A LOT harder to do than I thought!!!  I am finding that in some professionals, anything is fair game, and that it is by any means necessary.  I have a very pertinent example of this that occurred recently to another equestrian professional friend of mine.  In this case, someone had a complaint, so that person, rather than approaching any concerns face to face, aired them in a false claim on a popular scam discovering website.  All of the claims were FALSE, but any new business coming in would search this professional and come up with the accusations quickly, whereby my friend was left trying to defend herself.  I had a chance to read the so called review, and in my mind it was ABSOLUTELY FALSE, but not only that, it seemed to be coming from a competitor... WOW!!!  Talk about very bad business ethics on that person's part!!  Unfair, for sure, but this friend suffered definite damage to her reputation from someone else's lack of ethics.

Unfortunately, I not only have a secondary example of it, I have had it happen to myself twice already from the same professional.  This truly saddens me and disgusts me.
So, forewarned is fair warned right?  

My challenge to other equestrian professionals at my level is this: I challenge you to use business ethics; those are respecting others, staying within your area, not poaching other's clients (potential or current), keeping comments regarding other trainers and disciplines positive, using honesty when dealing with others, being open and communicating with other trainers, working together to build rather than focusing solely on oneself and tearing down, owning up to your mistakes and making restitution when needed.  I think in this manner we can make this sport better and help people entering in as novices STAY in it rather than become frustrated at the negativity seen in it and leave.  I've thrown the gauntlet down to dirty business... who else will follow suit??

See you in the Ring!

Crystal

Have we lost our way? Classic versus Modern Dressage

I ran across the top dressage photo while looking at images of rollkur, and it got me thinking... have we moved forwards in riding?  I would like to say that we have, but it has become increasingly clear that we are moving further and further away from the classical precepts.  Dressage is about training the horse to be the best that he can be and help him develop his muscles so that he moves more efficiently and has a more pleasurable way of going.  I was taught by my best friend who was a working student for Sally and David O'Connor that we are developing a partnership that is based out of respect for the horse.  Clearly, rollkur is a violation of this mutual respect.  How can you say that you respect when you force a horse into what is a very uncomfortable, unhealthy, and subservient posture?  The truth is that you cannot!!


The first thing that struck me about these 2 photos is that these are CLEARLY grand prix level horses as they are in a very upright and uphill frame with a high degree of elevation and extension through their limbs, and while both horses are clearly on the bit and on the aids, and YET they are slightly IN FRONT of the vertical.  This goes absolutely against modern dressage riding, where many horses are in fact ridden slightly behind the vertical.  One only has to look at the FEI's response to rollkur to realize that this is the status quo, and it is with us to stay.    I have been reading about the current trend in dressage where the horses that are scoring highly are in fact those horses that are slightly behind the bit.  My question is, If we TRULY believe in the teachings of greats like Balkenhol, how can we then also accept rollkur or LDR (low down and round) and encourage horses (and riders) to be behind the vertical?  To me they are both mutually exclusive methods of training.  Until we have a governing body that truly steps up to the plate and recognizes rollkur for the abusive technique that it is, in my opinion, we will continue to drift further and further off of the mark.  


When I was introduced to dressage, there was a strong focus on my hands because I had very poor use of my hands and was (unintentionally) very harsh with them.  I learned early on that I needed to keep the lines of communication open by having softer, following hands.  The second lesson that I learned was that if a horse was behind the vertical it is considered an evasion of the bit.  Now, I am learning, that the judges like to see the horse slightly behind the bit, while they SAY that the correct method is slightly in front or right on the vertical.  The proof is in the pudding, and until we reward those who are using the classical slightly in front of the vertical frame, this trend to be behind the vertical will continue.  While this is the preferred frame, training methods like rollkur will exist.  Thankfully there is a very strong and vocal group of dressage riders that stands against this training method and the "modern" style.  


So, to answer the original question, yes we have lost our way, but there are still a large number of us who will continue to use the classical style!

See you in the Ring!

Crystal

To learn more about this topic and to find out how rollkur impacts a horse's movement, muscles, airway, psychology and even overall health I recommend reading Gerd Heuschmann's book.  Gerd was one of the key presenters to the FEI discussions regarding the use of rollkur.  Keep your eyes peeled for his presentations locally, as he does tour to continue to educate dressage riders in the mechanics of dressage.  He also has a DVD for those that prefer to use that learning format.
















  

Rider Core Stability Exercises

I will start this article out by providing a definition of core stability.  Wikipedia defines core stability as it "relates to the bodily region bounded by the abdominal wall, the pelvis, the lower back and the diaphragm and its ability to stabilize the body during movement. The main muscles involved include the transversus abdominus, the internal and external obliques, the quadratus lumborumand the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the main muscle of breathing in the human and so breathing is important in providing the necessary core stability for moving and lifting. It is the action of these muscles contracting together upon the incompressible contents of the abdominal cavity (ie the internal organs or viscera) that provides support to the spine and pelvis during movement."  In a nutshell the muscles of the core of the human body (the trunk) stabilize the spine and keep the trunk and upper body supported and in balance.  Clearly this is an area that is very important to riding as it relates to the overall balance of the body and that is ABSOLUTELY necessary for riding.  

Without core stability, riding becomes very difficult, even almost impossible!   Habits such as a roached back, using the reins to balance, slouching, unevenness, bouncing in the saddle, being pulled out of the saddle, etc. occur because of poor core stability.  I have seen and used some short term quick fixes for a specific problem, in my case the "Shoulders Back" by Equifit.  These quick fixes do not address the underlying problem, which is poor core stability.  Without good core stability you not only lose postural control, you also lose distal fine motor control, specifically hand control and leg/ foot control.  Good controlled hands and anchored legs are essential to a good rider!

The good news is that there are several exercises and programs that will solve this problem.  One of the best techniques is centered on the use of the balance ball.  The balance ball is inexpensive and easy to do in the privacy of your own home.  Several exercises will correct this!

First of all, remember to check with your doctor before you start any new exercise routine!

Once you start, remember to stretch before you exercise!!!

Below are links to youtube that provide training for exercises designed to target core stability using the exercise ball.  I have also included a link to 2 books that are excellent resources for riders regarding exercise programs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8xKs5vp_hk&feature=related

Regular sit up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti0gCcSxhns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRLi1-AzQ_0&feature=relmfu

Reverse sit up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK7nO-QXIw4&feature=fvwrel

Advanced sit up variation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6DxrCP7Ugk&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoSGGo9PdEk&feature=relmfu

V ups:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdtinH8Mog8&feature=relmfu

Full Body Physioball exercise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMm3V8Pu1JI&feature=relmfu

Back Extention:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-JiV1K9My4&feature=relmfu

Oblique Abdominal exercise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4n5akTDPL4&feature=relmfu

Modified Oblique exercise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4O7UU083ic&feature=relmfu

Diagonal Oblique crunch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qiq9UB9LYrA&feature=relmfu

Oblique Stretch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcNUpw8UuJI&feature=relmfu

Lower Back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UydXrCZzSaw&feature=relmfu

Lower Abdominals and Inner Thigh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlkIWK6ZPyc&feature=relmfu

Shoulders and arms:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJwWYbXBUDE&feature=relmfu

Squats:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZEZMtXNtzE&feature=relmfu

See you in the Ring!

Crystal

Symmetry Training Stables in the News

TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA 11/27/10: “When you do what you love, you never work a day in your life!” This is the philosophy Crystal Udehn owner, instructor and trainer of Symmetry Training Stables in Temecula, California, has chosen to live by. This licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who currently works part time with children and adults with speech and language disabilities at Rancho Physical Therapy, decided that she would pursue her lifetime dream of owning a riding business.  In October of 2009 she decided to join the ranks of stay at home mothers with small businesses. She says that she felt that she could meet her family’s needs, follow her dreams and continue her teaching by creating Symmetry. A little more than year later and she is now living her dream! “I feel like the luckiest person alive right now!” she says emphatically. “I can continue my work with children and children with disabilities while sharing my passion for horses.” She goes on to say that children with disabilities have very successful interactions with horses and that often these children show an increase in their speech and language skills because of this. “I feel uniquely qualified to provide local children with riding lessons because I know how to expand on language use during a very enjoyable multisensory experience, which is the way that children learn best.”

• Symmetry Training Stables specializes in dressage and hunter/jumper riding styles and Crystal Udehn not only has her Master’s degree and licensure in Speech-Language Pathology, she is also certified as a riding instructor through CHA. She explains that often riding instructors do not have any type of certification, but that she felt the need to go the extra step because safety is extremely important when interacting with horses. Helmets of all sizes are available and meet current standards for riding safety. Several lesson horses are available, and for very small children, she has a miniature horse. She accepts children starting at ages 3 and up. Adults are also welcome to ride and make it a family hobby. Lesson packages are available as well as just single lessons. With the holidays just around the corner, gift certificates for lessons are available. Prices are very reasonable and competitive so that people can enjoy what is often a very expensive sport without feeling the pinch in the pocketbook. Those interested in booking a lesson before December 31st will benefit from an introductory special of $10 off the first riding lessons. Watch for a winter riding camp for the die hard horse lovers! 

Equipment Must Haves!

Soooooo, since I am a NOTORIOUS shopper, I thought I would share a bit about my personal must haves... plus I can tell about my BOMBS, because I certainly have those too, ask my husband!!!

First I want to introduce the Plymouth Fancy Stitch Bridle:

  I purchase several of these through SmartPak.com for my lesson horses, and I LOVE them!

These bridles retail for $52.95, but certainly look like a mid-level bridle!  You can easily take these to shows or just use these to knock around at the barn.  The leather is a bit stiff, but with oiling becomes more supple.  There is NO smell of poorly tanned leather (which is ALWAYS a tip off to poorer quality leather), and just a little stretching over time.  They retain their color and the stitching is solid.  The reins would be my ONLY complaint as they too are a bit stiff... they take some time to break in, which can be a pain when riding!  Personally I HATE stiff reins, so I replaced the reins with another pair right away for my own horse's bridle.

Plymouth Dressage Bridle:

  I FELL in LOVE with this bridle when it showed up.  This bridle is very soft and supple and the padding is very nice.  This is another bridle that exceeded my expectations for a $52.95 bridle.  This bridle can easily do double duty as a show bridle or a schooling bridle.  It certainly looks like a higher end bridle but is just a fraction of the price.  Again there was no smell, and the dye job was very nice.  The leather is very good and it is at least middle quality pieces of the hide.  The accents are stainless steel which I prefer to brass.  I didn't have the problem with the reins I did with the hunter bridle because they are the cotton web reins.  I haven't had this problem, but one of the SmartPak reviewers experienced some color bleed, which stained her Palomino's face.  To eliminate this problem I would clean it a couple of times and then oil it.

SmartPak Fleece Dressage Girth:

  This is a solid piece of gear for a very small price!  At $25.95 it is hard to go wrong.  This girth is washable and seems to be very breathable for the horse.  The fleece is soft, and has great padding... not too little, not too much; just right!  This is a great product for a lesson barn or to stand in as a schooling girth.

SmartPak Fleece Girth:

  This is another very affordable girth; $25.95.  I am always leery of buying horse tack that has a very low price... I have regretted the choice in the past!  I first read the reviews on the SmartPak website, then ordered the Dressage Girth first.  Pleased with those, I purchased several of these for my lesson program and they are holding up very well.  They are washable and fit the horses well.  I like them because they have a very low likelihood of causing the horses saddle sores.  It looks like a schooling girth, so I wouldn't use it in shows.  Overall a solid product!

Lettia Fleece Girth:

  This is my favorite fleece girth!  It costs $44.95, but is really nicely made.  It looks a bit more appealing in person than the SmartPak girth, but since I was buying for a lesson program and could get 2 for the price of 1 of the SmartPak girth, that's what I went with.  I own 2 of these, and they are great.  They wash well and wick the sweat away from the girth area well.  Typical of fleece, it has pilled a bit, but still looks snappy!  These are definitely a step up from the SmartPak girth.  You could get away with this girth at a schooling show, or a county show.

Lettia Girth Cover:

Priced at $22.95, these are great girth covers!  I hate it when the girth cover is so thick that it adds bulk under the leg and keeps the girth from being fastened... this one DOES NOT do that!  I love the quilting that wicks away the horse's sweat and the nice looking fleece.  These wash easily and still look good after a few washes.  A little known fact is that you are NOT supposed to dry fleece in the dryer... that creates the matting and pilling we so often get with fleece.  Hang drying will keep the fleece in good shape and help it to last longer.  My one complaint is that it has the tendency to get loose threads in the quilting.  I use this cover to protect my Antares Spooner girth, and it does that well... after even a long hard ride the girth is still dry!

Mattes Girth Cover:
  Generally, I like the Mattes brand.  BUT...This was a very expensive bomb for me!  This BOMB cost me $94.95 and I had less than a handful of rides with it.  This cover was sooooo bulky, that not only did it make it so that my girth didn't go on easily anymore, it was so bulky that it interfered with my leg!  It kept me from wrapping my leg on the proper spot on the horse and actually either forced me to keep my leg in front of or behind the girth.  I also couldn't get it in the right length, so it was obviously short, then after I washed it following Mattes instructions to a T, it SHRUNK 4 inches!!!  After that, I couldn't use it for my horse anymore and tried to sell it on ebay at a HUGE loss... needless to say, it NEVER sold!  Avoid making this $100 mistake!!!

  After purchasing this helmet, I decided that I would NEVER use another brand.  This helmet not only fits perfectly and comfortably, but it is FLATTERING!  I fell in love with this helmet after purchasing a discounted discontinued model from a local tack store.  I had it over the summer, and despite the temperatures being over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it was comfortable!  It is on the pricey side for sure, but will last for a long time!  $295.95

Last on my list of must haves is the Stephan's GelEze Sheepskin and gel half pad:
This is the BEST half pad I have ever owned!  Though it is a bit costly, it is WELL worth it!  This saddle pad washes easily, and stays very nice with a bit of combing after.  This half pad fixes a multitude of saddle fit problems on a wide range of horses.  It provides impact protection and shock absorption in some critical areas of the horse's back.  This product now sells at $103 and usually has to be shipped from England.  You can often find it on Ebay at a very good price, which is where I got my first one for $60!

Watch for more product reviews coming soon!!

See you in the Ring!

Crystal

This is the spine on Rollkur

I'll be watching this movie soon!

A study in Contrasts

I like this photo because it highlights the difference between true impulsion and connection being used to help the horse achieve a correct frame versus the use of hands and corrective devices without the benefit of impulsion.
The horse in the foreground is softly rounding and stepping underneath himself to provide impulsion and a correct bend with good use of his hindquarters.  You can see that he is in the working trot and is contentedly doing his work... the set of the tail, position of the ears which are listening to the rider, and the softness in his jaw are very good tells.  The placement of the grey's head is also very good; he is correctly looking just slightly into the turn, and he is slightly in front of the vertical, but very much on the rider's aids. His neck is being lifted and stretched from the base, and have created a thicker profile with an even arch across the entire crest.  The poll is the highest point of the horse's head and neck.  Even in this still shot you get a sense of lightness, and the horse is carrying his back with his abdominal muscles.  He even looks soft in his back and you can almost imagine it swinging .  The slight arch at the base of the tail also tells us that the horse is really stepping under himself, and has "lifted" his back and really engaging himself.  The rider is looking down, a habit that creeps in with Dressage riders, and has almost no bend in her elbows.  He shoulders have rounded just slightly because she is looking down.  Her back and seat look to be soft and following.

 The second horse in the background was being pulled into the bit through the use of draw reins... at this moment he is on the vertical, but even at this distance, his neck looks compressed rather than stretched and correctly rounded.  This horse will end up with a "broken neckline" because the highest point of the head and neck is about 1/3rd of the way down, also the neck does not form a smooth and even arch.  At this moment, you can see that his steps are constricted with his hind feet at least a foot away from the prints of the forefeet.  This horse is taking very small strides and almost looks like the frame for a piaffe.  It is hard to tell at a distance, but this horse's back is hollowed, which is a definite sign of poor carriage.  Looking at this horse, I get a sense of constriction and cramping, and indeed you can see that the horse is swishing and wringing his tail.  You can't quite see it, but the trailing hind foot is not stretched, but actually almost flat footed on the ground.  His hind end has good tone because of genetics, but it is obvious that it is not engaged well because his hind legs are trailing out behind him.  If this was a "collected trot" which the compressed neck and frame indicate, this horse would be showing a higher degree of elevation in the legs as well as really tucked under haunches; this would give him an "uphill" outline.  Instead this horse has a "downhill" slope to him.  He is carrying most of his weight on the forehand.

This is a picture of a well schooled dressage horse in working trot:

The grey is as close as his body and skill level will allow... not far off at all!

This is a picture of a collected trot:

This is a hose being ridden in Rolkur... almost identical hind end to the horse in the distance.

Dealing with Fear, Part 2 Interview with International Eventer Tamie Smith

Originally posted April 22, 2010

It only seems appropriate this week of the ROLEX, that it would be the perfect time to continue and share more on dealing with fear. It is perfect not only because of the fear factor involved in competing in the Rolex, but because I had a chance to speak with Tamie Smith, international event rider, U.S. Developing Rider recipient, Rolex rider, long listed rider for the 2008 Olympics (2012 Olympic Event Team rider), and the list goes on!

I contacted Tamie through Face Book based on knowledge of her and her excellent reputation through friends. She is one of the best in a sport that is considered one of the most difficult equine sports in the world, both for horse and rider. She has competed in some of the most grueling of those competitions. I swallowed my pride and fear and bucked up to write her a simple note requesting a visit since she is based locally for me. A couple of days later, she surprised me by not only accepting my request, but saying that she'd love to meet me. I think I was grinning ear to ear and strutting around for days after that! Over the course of a week an appointment was arranged and I was off with just me and my designated driver, Robyn Hamblin on hand (the broken arm made it difficult to navigate winding roads). Being an hour late did not put either me or my ride in the best of moods, we were worried; what if she just sent us home? What if she wasn't even at the barn anymore? Luckily, she was at the barn and was still more than happy to see us. 

While at the barn we were able to see her top notch chiropractor in action and see her developing four star mount Bubbles @ Brickey, as well as her talented daughter and her mount. Throughout the chiropractor's visit my driver, Robyn and I were party to several pearls of wisdom shared by both the chiropractor and Tamie; some of which I am still processing for future use. After a productive hour admiring her very lovely barn setting, and drooling over her soft fluffy footing, she was heading off to lunch. Unexpectedly we were given an invite to go out to lunch with her and her crew... Can you believe I almost said "NO"? Who does that??? After a very, very short debate as to whether or not to call in sick to work... (hey, I had no brace or cast on my broken arm, I can't work with kids!!! Really!!) After this gut wrenching struggle with my conscience, we hopped in the car and followed her out to an old town Murrieta eatery. 

Enjoying a salad, and good company we swapped horse stories and horse people stories. Through the course of story telling, I gained an even deeper respect for a woman who has looked fear in the face and taken it on at full speed. Her story about last year's Rolex event was both eye opening and brave. This is a woman who has faced her fears and challenged the odds her whole life in many areas and WON, but these are stories for another time!

Fear, this is what I had come for... The first thing she shared was the title of a book that she recommends to all of her riders called Psycho Cybergenics by Maxwell Maltz. She shared that this is a book that had changed her life and she encourages her event riders to read it to help them move to the next level in their lives and riding. This book is not a riding book per se, but it addresses areas that riders face on a daily basis, it is better described as a book on the theory of mind, and the subconscious power over our lives. The book was written in the 1960s, but is still recommended and sold around the world. It was around before "The Secret", and was way ahead of its time. 

She explained that fear is based on either illogical things, like scapegoating, or a lack of preparation and/or planning. She continued on to say that fear is often based on our inability to control the things in our lives. She followed it up with the fact that this is where practice and preparation fit in; that gaining experience and confidence over a specific skill provides the feeling of control, which most riders have a need to feel while they are riding. She also went on to say that most riders have a tendency to be control freaks, and it often stems from the fear of not really being in control over an almost 1 ton animal. She reminded us that the subconscious mind does not process negations like: no, not, never, won't etc. Therefore, when a rider thinks to themselves "I will not fall off", the subconscious hears "I will fall off" and strives to make that thought a reality. Because of the way the subconscious mind process things, it is best to phrase things in a positive way, like "I will ride the course perfectly", " I am a solid rider and I will stay on the horse". These types of statements are better at programming our mind. Her closing recommendation was to read the book, and reflect on our lives to decide where our fears were really coming from what kinds of statements we were creating for ourselves, and where we wanted to go with our riding futures.

What I found the most interesting aspect of the interview was how much all of her advice and information paralleled that of other top level riders. The second thing that I realized was that fear is a highly personal thing, and that knowledge is the most important tool to use to overcome it. Heeding this advice, I have decided to re-evaluate my life and my goals to see what is stopping me from reaching my goals of riding at the Grand Prix levels. What are the sacrifices that I might be afraid of making to get there and then set up a reasonable and realistic plan. The fact that when I shared these dreams with Tamie she didn't laugh at me really boosted my confidence (and yes she has seen our rescue videos)! :)

THANK YOU Tamie Smith, for your time, wisdom and kindness in sharing your experience with an amateur rider with big dreams. Words cannot express how much this impacted my view of riding and my belief in myself. I have my copy of the Psycho Cybernetics book on its way!

See you in the Ring!
Crystal

Equestriannese- "Get those Heels DOWN!!!" versus "Relax into your Heels"

There are so many different words that we use in Equestriannese that there should almost be an English to Equestriannese dictionary!  It is sooooo important that the students learn and understand this whole new language so that they can be successful and get the most out of their lessons.  The solution to this is to teach "Equestriannese" right at the start... that dictionary might also come in handy so the student has a hard copy of definitions!  One of the biggest mis-communications between English and Equestriannese is the definition of "heels down".  

This is a very difficult concept to grasp as a new rider because as instructors, we often harp on the rider to get their heels down, but what does "heels down" actually mean in equestrian sports?  In Equestrianese, it means to allow the horse's energy and movement to flow through the rider's body in a controlled manner with the weight of the body directed downward through a softly flexed and giving ankle so that the ankle becomes both an anchor for the body weight and a major shock absorber... by doing this, the heel then becomes the lowest point of the riders body.  Telling students at any level of riding to "put their heels down"  truly does not have much meaning beside producing stiff tense movements as the riding student tries to keep that portion of their heel fixed and locked in place.  In ALL cases, the opposite is actually required!! 

Frequently I have come across riders who ride with their heels jammed down in a very stiff manner; when asked about it, they tell me that they were harped on to "keep their heels down".  Well, in English and Equestriannese these mean 2 different things.  In English it implies that the heels must be forced down and "locked" into position.  In Equestriannese, it means to have the ankle flex softly downward to anchor the rider's leg and body.  If the heel is jammed down when riding, the opposite of what we are trying to make happen occur!  The rider then loses one of its major shock absorbers and instead of providing an anchor for the rider, the ankle becomes a spring board to launch the student out of the saddle with every stride... with a beginning rider this can spell doom!!!  Right off the bat when I see this in a new rider, I take them aside and physically adjust their leg and heel.  The explanation that follows is very different from the one that they previously had and sometimes they end up having an AH HA! moment.  If they struggle with the concept, I often provide a visual to the student to help their comprehension.

Since visual learning seems to be one of the predominant modes of learning in humans, it is ALWAYS important to provide the students with a visual model for the concept; a short hack around the arena on one of the lesson horses, a video of a Grand Prix rider in any of the English style sports, or even going to a Grand Prix level show if it is available is an excellent method.  Even better would be to use all three!  In this age of video cameras and still motion it would not even be too hard to demonstrate the small adjustments and energy flow frame by frame so that they can see the ankle moving and acting as a shock absorber.  Contrasting the concept of "heels down" in English with the concept of "heels down" in Equestriannese is essential to the comprehension of the concept and really highlights the differences.

When explaining, I find that even the words that I use to explain the action of the heel have to be carefully chosen... so instead of saying "push those heels down", I use "sink down into your heels".  Using more passive words like sink, softly, "oily joints" (coined by Grand Prix rider Jane Savoie), relax, drop produce phrases that are better representations of what I am looking for; sink weight into your heels, sink softly into your heels, relax weight into your heels, drop your body weight into your heels.  Once the student has learned "heels down"  relating to force, that phrase can no longer be used as it provides an automatic response that we absolutely want to avoid.

The only drawback to the change in vocabulary is that the student may equate soft with loose, and so I explain and show them that the ankle should be stable laterally, but still allow the up/down movement required of it.  Since this is actually a higher level fine motor skill as it needs the body to have very precise control over the contractions of individual muscle groups.  This means that the student must not only have good body awareness and control, but that they must also show dissociation (the ability to isolate fine motor movements from one another). To have this kind of overall body control and coordination, the student must have excellent core stability( and that is a topic for another day)!

Since vocabulary choice is such an important factor in producing the correct response in a student, it becomes very important to create a core vocabulary system of your own to impart what YOUR teaching method is.  Grand Prix dressage rider Jane Savoie created a whole system of her own to produce the desired effects on her students in dressage which is  programming position through the use of key words and phrases.  As both an educator and a language specialist I know that this is based on sound teaching theory which is why we must strive to create key words with our students that create an accurate response in the student.  Knowing this, "heels down" will hopefully be erased from the typical things that are said in a lesson.  I know that it is something I am working on!  

See you in the ring!

Crystal

The importance of work on the lunge

I've been having several student's work on the lunge line, and I have noticed that they feel like it is only something for beginners. I find myself repeating the same things over and over and assuring them that work on the lunge is NOT a remedial riding class, but actually a useful tool to improve their position.
I work with another well trained rider, and between ourselves, we've decided to school each other on the lunge because it is so important to improving balance, position, seat, hand control, core stability, feel and softness .
Using the lunge helps by taking away the need to worry about control. I have many of my students ride with a grab strap either on the saddle or use a stirrup leather buckled around the horse's neck if the student is bareback. I have several exercises to target different areas:

1) Holding the hands in the position you would hold them if you were riding. This is terrific for those students who need to work on hand position and balancing themselves without using the reins. This forms a mental connection by telling the rider that they CAN ride without relying on using their horse's mouth to steady themselves.

2) Riding bareback. This is pretty self explanatory, it develops balance and moving with the horse and reminds the rider that they don't need to rely on the saddle for balance. It teaches self carriage for the rider.

3) Arm circles with the gaits of the horse. This helps tune the rider into the movement and footfalls of the horse which is super important for developing the ability to cue the horse at the right moment. It also helps develop core stability- the ability to maintain their posture while their upper body is in motion; this relates to the ability to steer over a jump, or use their hands independently from each other.

4) Lifting the legs away from the saddle. This develops the rider's balance from their core, and helps the student learn to stay with the motion of the horse. It is a fabulous exercise for building confidence and strengthening the abdominal muscles (who wouldn't love this!).

5) Riding in the 2 point either using mane or hands on helmet, in airplane mode, straight up, or on their hips. This develops the 2 point and creates a steady lower leg.

6) Jumping on a circle on the lunge. This develops the "eye" for distances, the balance and steadiness over jumps, and it is terrific for those that need to build confidence. One of my weakest areas is jumping ahead of the horse, and this is also terrific for keeping the rider steady and staying with the horse over the jump. It takes the student's fear of refusals and helps with the fear of falling because they feel the instructor's direct support.

7) Riding on the lunge without stirrups. This is the one that I will be working on with my riding partner. Riding without stirrups helps lengthen the leg, strengthen and quiet the leg and build balance. It is physically demanding, but one of the best exercises. Once the rider has built their position on the lunge and gotten a really good feel of their position, they can also ride off the lunge without stirrups.

The best part about the lunge is that it shows IMMEDIATE results. I can testify that all of the students that have ridden on the lunge show better riding skills right away and they feel like they have truely accomplished something!

Crystal

Defining Fear

This is a more personal note, particularly in light of my recent experience. For those that don't know me, I was injured by my own beloved horse during turn-out. I did all the right things and my horse is very bonded to me, but accidents still happen, and horses don't think in the same ways we do! I was kicked as he turned away to go run and needed 33 stitches in my left arm and also have a small hairline fracture. I was actually very fortunate as there seems to be no major damage; tendon, arteries, and nerves all intact! I may have some elbow damage that may require surgery, but that is hard to determine right now, and if I do need surgery, my PT collegues tell me it's very minor... Since then I have felt fear in dealing with my 17.3 hh behemoth. As things settle, and the time passes, it is easier and easier to overcome, and I have in fact ridden my horse in the arena at the rescue barn (where he is being housed now so that I have help in handling him and riders for him) on the 2nd day of his stay at all 3 gaits with my hard cast, with a very large cow, a large pig, several goats, a donkey and lots of stallions all around!:) He is adapting quite well now that he can see me more often since the accident... he's a big mama's boy! I have had other horse related injuries in the past (it's impossible not to in this sport), all of them minor, although the dr reports that I have fractured the same bone before (huh?).

At some point or other you will have to deal with horse related fear, this is almost inevitable. Fear is not something to be embarrassed of, but it should also not be ignored. Fear is our brain's way of telling us to be cautious, it also helps us avoid injury. It often stops us from injury. There are two types of fear; rational healthy fear, and irrational fear that stems from other deeper issues. 

Noted equestrienne Jane Savoie has several articles and even a page dedicated to it, so we are NOT alone, and it really is common. Jane savoie shares that the rational fears can be dealt with by planning, and practice. Breaking horse related exercises down into smaller steps, and developing underlying skills and knowledge so that we have the background and ability to tackle the fear. The second type of fear is related to our brain's scapegoating an activity, often these are irrational and not really caused by the thing we are afraid of be it flying, spiders, or in my case heights. 

An example of irrational fear is an advanced rider's fear of going to horse shows... there is absolutely no reason for the person to have any fear of them, but it can reflect this person's fear of being out of control, being in front of crowds, being judged by others, etc. An example of a rational fear is a beginner's fear of going to a horse show; the beginner is expressing fear of something unknown to them that they aren't prepared for. The beginner needs to develop confidence in their ability to ride the skills they are being asked to demonstrate, they should visit a few horse shows, possibly with their mounts, and participate in schooling shows to gain confidence in themselves.

I highly recommend checking out Jane Savoie's facebook page and joining her group about dealing with riding fears!

I will be exploring the issue of fear in notes to come, as I feel that it is a highly relevant issue not only to myself, but to those who participate in any higher risk sport.
See you in the ring!
Crystal