Pearls from the Manure Pile #2 November 2009
Reflecting on the Texas Clinics Nov 22,
2009
Texas is the Deep Fried State. From fried
chicken to chicken fried steak to fried pie, all that is
edible is dipped in grease and fried to a golden and
delicious brown. If it is not fried, it is not Texas. I also
learned that if it is fried it also comes with corn, beans
and potatoes and then followed by homemade pie! They call it
“comfort food.” No wonder Texan’s are so warm and
hospitable. I believe Texas is the only state that has
“fried butter” on a stick. Butter on a Stick……I will have to
pass on that one.
I do love Texas. Debbie and I consider it
our second home. It just fits our lifestyle. If you love
horses and the free spirit of cowboy life Texas is the place
to be. Texas is darn big too. “Down the road a piece” means
100 miles.
Texan’s are serious about their horses too.
Like the Lone Star, the Longhorn, the Horse is as much a
part of the Texas as cattle ranching and oil.
I came to Texas to do 2 clinics with famed
horseman Jack Brainard. Jack had to have emergency bypass
surgery (Jack is doing very well and expected to make a full
recovery) so our plans changed a bit but the clinics went on
as scheduled. During breaks between the clinics I gave
private lessons to those that were extremely eager to learn
the kind of horsemanship I had to offer.
I was in Texas for 6 weeks and in reflection
the one thing that I found that my students in the clinics
and lessons alike needed the most help on was, FORWARD
MOTION.
Forward Motion is not just going forward, or
getting from point A to point B. It does not mean going fast
either. Forward Motion is Torque. Forward Motion is the
Power Behind the Stride. Without Forward Motion you can’t
execute maneuvers properly. It is essential and needed to
correctly move forward, latterly, back, stop, and turn and
to create and maintain balance, self-carriage and
collection.
Forward Motion is the drive train of the
horse. It originates from the hindquarter, where the horse’s
power or drive comes from. A hollow back horse has no
Forward Motion. For a horse to truly have Forward Motion he
has to shift part of his forehand body weight back to the
hindquarters, lightning his forehand. Then he should round
his back and step deep underneath himself as he steps from
behind. To be correct the horse’s hocks should not pass
behind his tail line thus indicating that his hind legs were
left behind or disengaged. This kind of tracking is a waste
of energy for the horse as he can’t carry the desired weight
on his hind legs. A horse that is worked with a hollow back
and disengaged hindquarters is hindering the movement of the
front end and creating additional stress for the front
limbs. This can lead to many front leg problems we see in
horses today.
I do not desire to ride a horse “down hill.”
This is a horse with too much weight on his front end,
hollow backed and disengaged. My goal is to ride a horse
that is “up hill.” By asking a horse to round his back,
engage his hindquarters and step deep from behind he will
lower his croup and raise the front end at the withers.
Doing so frees up the shoulders and front limbs and helps
keep the horse in balance.
When asking a horse for Forward Motion, a
round back and engaged hindquarters start slowly, build and
condition like you would a top athlete. A horse must be fit
physically and mentally to do the job requested by his
rider. This does not happen overnight and patience and
consistency is the key to a happy partnership.
When asking your horse for Forward Motion at
the walk you must first take up the slack in the reins then
drive the horse forward with your legs and seat. Ask for a
few short powerful steps one at a time, stop and walk on a
relaxed rein. Repeat the driving with legs and seat and
contact with the reins for a few strides again. Remember to
take small, short powerful steps one at a time. You want to
have control over each foot as the horse picks it up, moves
it forward and places it down. It is almost a slow walk with
a slight hesitation. It will take lots of rider’s leg. The
horse maybe confused at first and uncomfortable but that is
the beginning of conditioning. The horse may try to avoid
rounding his back by throwing his haunches to one side or
backing. Make the correction and ask for a few steps
forward. Do not drill but be consistent and clear. When you
get a few strides reward the horse with a loose rein and
relaxed manner. Do this exercise a little bit each work out.
You need to be successful at the walk before you move on to
the trot. As I continue my thoughts on Texas I will discuss
the need and importance of the Forward Motion at the
jog/trot, lope/canter, the bend and suppling. I will also
share exercises I use to help with rounding the back and
engagement.
Until then….Happy Trails
Eitan
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