07/03/2024
How can you tell if your horse is moving well?
Many riders will say they notice it when their horse feels good in their hands.
I'm not saying this is always bad, but a much better signal is how the horse's back feels under you.
Because even a horse that is ridden incorrectly can still feel pleasant in the hands.
But it will NOT move with a nice, relaxed back.
Below are some other signs that your horse is not being ridden correctly.
Do you recognize any of the following characteristics in your horse?
Your horse does not respond forward.
Your horse is quickly tense.
The walk is not always clear, a lateral walk.
Excessive movement of the front leg, while the hind leg lags and slows down (broken diagonal).
Your horse has a four-beat canter.
Your horse is behind the vertical.
Your horse slightly arches its back, the croup comes up, and the hind legs do not come sufficiently under the body.
An elevated, shortened neck with a kink between the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae (false bend).
Then it might be that you are unconsciously making the mistake of not always riding from back to front into your hand.
Many riders think they are riding their horse well from back to front into the hand.
But in practice, I see that this is usually not yet happening sufficiently.
Often, the hand is still unconsciously working back and creating too much of a 'made' posture.
You want to ride your horse's entire body so that you can receive the energy from the hind leg into your hand.
This way, you will feel a connection that works throughout the whole body.
Pay attention in your next training session to whether, and how often, you unintentionally work back with your hand.
I'm curious to see what you find out!
PS. Ideally, you should end up with a count of 0, but don't be too hard on yourself. Awareness is the first step. 🙏
- Rien van der Schaft
RS Riding
