Head up!

[Sue Watson]

After having had my wrists slapped for being such a grump in my lesson last week I have had a very enlightening couple of days out hacking. As I rode along I decided to stop frowning and worrying and looking down at what I and Pip were doing wrong. Immediately I looked up and ahead Pip lighten his forehand and skipped along. I hadn't quite appreciated how much a difference such a slight movement could make. In fact my head must have moved back about 6 inches with the consequence that my shoulders opened out and back. I also found that because I have stopped LOOKING I could FEEL so much more. Quite extraordinary! Now all I have to do is replicate it all in an arena.

[Dizzy]

Its quite amazing isn't it. My instructor picked me up on it a few years ago - she said weighting the forehand with our heads is a very common fault, which is made worse when riding out in cold, bad weather.

I was confused and asked why the weather should make things worse. She said when its cold your tense to start with, and if you're riding into wind/rain you will dip your face to shield it from the weather, which weights the forehand even more.

So to ride 'correctly' in foul weather, except when your indoor - you will get a weather beaten face ;) unless you have a horse like mine, I've never met such a wuss - she has her chin on her chest, and can go forwards, sideways, faster than she can when she's faced forward.

Lesley

[Kerry's Partner]

Hi,

Well join the club Sue. I know exactly what you mean. Kerry goes so differently too (and I feel more) when I get my head up - but please do better than I do because I watch her in the arena too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm finding bit by bit that I can get that head (which doesn't seem to belong to me sometimkes) UP - but gosh it seems to be taking me ages to achieve such a simple task.



Sandra

[Kerry's Partner]

p.s. Sue I forgot to say that imo you only do it (watch Pip) because you love your horse so much and want to see what the hos thinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well that's why I can't get my head up anyway - confessions - Kerry tells me so much.

I don't think that's too much of a sin anyway. Like you say 'though it's maybe learning to feel that we need to do next!!!!!!!!!!

#Sandra