Audio Tapes

[Heather]

Hi everyone,

I am having great difficulty in editing my second video - due to some technical problems. I am hoping instead at Mike's suggestion, to do a couple of audio tapes on the same subject. These can be played whilst riding either through a personal Walkman, or ghetto blaster in the school, whilst I talk you through the subjects of 'feel' and the aids.

I am finding the aids especially difficult to depict as they shouldn't be visible. having to exaggerate them is not my idea of teaching good riding, and being able to talk you through it all is probably the next best thing to having a lesson with me, but also one that you can repeat as often as you need for it to sink in!

I would ultimately do some more videos too, but under my own steam so that I can shoot what I want and when I want.

If the two audio tapes are successful, then I will add to them to build up a lesson library of various exercises and movements etc.
What do you all think?



Heather

[heland]

I think the audio tapes are a brilliant idea.

I would definately be on the list for one.

[Wally]

YES PLEASE!

[Heather]

Well that is a good start anyway!! Thanks folks!

Heather

[Kerry's Partner!!]

If it will help me to deliver to Kerry the beginnings of an enlightened rider then I'm all for it too. It's sad about the video but, the tape, I'll be able to take it with me and that I'm sure will help a great deal.

Kerry's had hormonal disturbance and so I've been going through a bad patch so to help us I watched the video again on Saturday night. I then took with me some pictures in my mind - and guess what - it worked AGAIN. SO, I'll look forward to being able to listen too.

[Joy Esau]

I think a tape is an excellent idea. I have an "Alexander Technique" Riding cassette. I should try and listen to it when riding but find I play it mostly in the car, particularly if I have to go far for work. Not bad getting paid at the same time as increasing riding knowledge! Put me down for one when they are done.

Shame about the second video but I'm sure its worth taking time over to get it just right.

Joy

[Miriam]

What a brill idea as I often need a few times for it to sink in.

[Heather]

I will still do more videos folks, but in my own time. I find the biggest problem is that the cameramen just don't know what they are looking at, when to close up or whatever, and it makes it all so difficult to find bits of film that depict what you want to get across. By the time you search through hours of 'rushes' to sometimes just find twenty or thirty seconds worth of film, you feel like tearing your hair out!

Sue and I had already planned on doing a series of short videos later on, covering a particular subject like riding a leg yield or shoulder-in or whatever, but shooting them ourselves, with a top quality camcorder ( good old Mike coming in handy there again with advice) and Sue has some good editing software on her PC. I have been very impressed with her editing of her own video footage and so feel that although the results might not be television quality, the content wil be spot on, and to me that is more important.

It means that we can shoot the footage as and when the light and weather are really good, the horses are going well, and we can keep or discard any that we take at our leisure. Doing a video shoot with horses and a professional cameraman is a nightmare- when changing films, or setting up various things, the horse has to stand around and quickly goes off the boil, which he or she will also do if you carry on working them whilst it all happens, as the end up knackered and with no sparkle!

So one of these days we will get round to that also!

Heather

[lolaelsa]

audio tape would be very useful. a format like a language learning tape would be good where you hear the instructions eg twice and then there is a gap in the tape when you [the listener] repeat what was said (or ride the movement) and then when you should have completed the instruction, they are confirmed again for you on the tape. in real time is what i think i mean. so a half hour tape is a half hour lesson kind of thing.

Joy,
Can you tell me something about your alexander technique tape. what is it's title and where could i find it?

[lolaelsa]

What about having each "lesson" available for download on NR as an audio file? (for transfer to cd) (and then tape if necessary). I'd like to download them and copy to cd (and keep backup on my pc). i'd then transfer to tape for my car and whilst up on hoss as i needed to use them. tapes always break on me or the quality fails after a lot of use so i'd like having a "good" cd copy.

i think net downloads would be very popular and would cut down your costs and postage and time etc etc.

[Heather]

HI everyone,

Mike had already suggested that we do downloadable mp3's later on, but these first two tapes will have to go out via Feedmark in order to keep the company happy.

Cheers,

Heather

[Charlotte E]

Heather,
Great idea - as you well know, I'm a bit of a verbal person so having things in auditory format is just my cup of tea!! Feel is, as you say, so difficult to show that being able to listen to what it should feel like whilst on the horse, would be great!!
:D
Charlotte

[ros]

Good idea. I've never listened to any audio tapes on riding - never occurred to me you could get them actually (sad!) but it certainly makes sense, and you can guarantee they would be popular.

[thomasdee]

Heather

Audio Tapes are a great idea, I have the one that Sylvia Loch did and find it very useful, as a constructive way of schooling.

I don't know about everyone else but I find that unless I'm having a lesson I seem to loose focus. However when I've used the tape it makes the time more productive. Also because you are concentrating on the tape you worry less about how you are riding and for some reason seem to ride better.

I've always wondered why more people don't do them.

[ashesscott]

Great idea, put me down for one!

I bought a very useful little 'bum-bag' with pockets for a walkman and two mini speakers and its much better then an ear piece - I am always worried about strangling myself if I fell off!

By the way Heather - I am Ken from Yorkshire who came on one of your courses three years ago - how are you doing?

I have attached a piccy of my new youngster - just clipped but needs a bath!

[Heather]

HI Ken,

Good too hear from you- your new boy looks an attractive sort! What do you plan to do with him?

Heather

[Cathy Reynolds]

yes please ........

[Yvonne M]

yes please, an audio tape is an excellent idea to keep me focused on riding as my instructor isn't teaching for a while!

look forward to it,

von

[Joy Esau]

Hi Iolaelsa

The Alexander Tape I have is by Kirsten Harris £9.95 ordered from the BHS web site book shop. Sally Tottle, an AT teacher I much respect, has a website which also refers to a tape but when I tried to order it my E Mail bounced. Her site is at http://bodysense.i2g.com/bodysenseweb/

Let me know if you have trouble tracking these down


Joy

[CT]

Hi Heather

An audio tape would be fantastic. I've often kicked myself for failing to remember your exact words for achieving shoulder in so easily on your horses. Having someone read the words to me from your book just doesn't seem to have the same 'magical' effect - at least that's Dougal's excuse and he seems to be sticking to it.

Oh and if you could occasionally throw in a 'look up, heels down, stop thinking about childcare/work/holidays' etc reminder on the tape...........!

Caron

[ashesscott]

Hi Heather, Tassle is a 5 yo mare very green but willing, one dressage test attempt so far, has the makings of a very nice horse.

Talk to you soon

ken

[Heather]

She looks lovely Ken- sorry I made her the wrong sex in my last post referring to her!

Heather

[Wally]

I can second what CT says. I get too engrossed with things and my looking down habit creeps in.

A sharp reminder not to fall into the common problems would be great, I have no-one to give me GBH in the ear about the little things.

[AmandaW]

Hello Heather,

What a great idea! It was only last week, when my instructor completely lost her voice, that I was joking that she should make some lesson tapes in advance so we could carry on until her voice returned.

I would definitely be interested!

Amanda

[Heather]

Great! Amanda- I am cracking on with the script so hope we should be able to get them done before too long. One tape will also cover a dismounted workshop that you can do even if you haven't your own horse.

Heather

[Tammy]

I have learned more from the EE book and this board than from either instructor I used. Seems that all people here are the "drive with your seat" "turn shoulders in to turn" type of riders. My mare was green and so was I when we became a team and I use your methods on her. What a joy it is to have such a great response with so little effort. Tapes will help me immensely as I have to go it alone....

Just wanted to boast....I got on my mare after a 5 month lay-off and took off on a hack/trail ride. She was "up" but stopped on a dime using just seat aids. Happy happy!

[FRED]

Thanks Heather for thinking of us all, looking forward to adding your tapes to my book and video.{and the exellent seat saver}
Please do let us all know when EE instructors or equismilator are any where near Staffs.
Fred.

[Sarah]

could you also add in the following comments to your tapes:

head up!
put your legs on
turn your hands over

If you could also supply a cardboard cut out of yourself for us to stand in the corner of the school that would also help. I find just having a teacher standing in the school helps me concentrate!

Sarah

[Danni]

Heather

What a great idea. If your book and video (both of which I have) are anything to go by, the tapes will be of great benefit to those of us who have not yet had the good fortune to attend a HM EE Clinic. Keep us posted with regard to when/where/how they will be available....and good luck.