Thank you, Heather!

[Nicki]

Dear Heather,

I just wanted to say "Thank you". I just got your video 'Enlightened Equitation' today and I already played it three times. :) I've always wanted see someone cantering in a perfect position with a slow motion, which helped me a lot to understand the movement of cantering. Since cantering correctly is the biggest issue for me now, your videotape will be the most valuable teaching guide to me.
After watching your videotape, I realized most students in my riding school(not exactly a school, kind of small horse farm, though) were not cantering properly. Since I'm a beginner of the beginners, I wasn't sure if I should follow this student or that student as an example of good cantering. But, now I got the best example of the students. I'm soooooo~ happy because of it.
Thank you!

Happy Nicki

[Heather]

HI Nicki,

Glad to have been of service!


Heather

[sweetbriar]

I bought my copy from Robinsons Mail Order and its one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to the next instalment!

[Cathy Reynolds]

And, what's more, Nicki, she even looks like that when she's schooling Fanta quietly on her own at home - we were privileged to be allowed to watch on Thursday AND Friday this week. I couldn't spot the leg aid - Sue was chuckling - it's because I was looking to the outside leg - what a dumbo!

[Wally]

I too have to thank Heather big time, I now know where I was going wrong with the basics.

I have a sneaky suspicion that Heather is not prone to saying things she doesn't mean, so when she said I'd got it reasonably right and I felt it was better, I really did get it right.

I have NEVER had a lesson before form anyone and actually got off feeling that I had so many things straight in my head like I did at Eastleigh. Her horses are a joy to behold and ride.

By the way Heather, I heard on "Radio Latrine" of the Icelandic world, that I am a crap rider (or so one person thinks) Is there any hope for me!:rolleyes: PLease God I didn't look like that lass in the video we watched of dressage tests!:eek:

Thanks Heather, I even got Fat Cob to collect usiing the bum pinch in canter.

[happy hacker]

whats the video called, is it just enlightened equitation, is it part one or two or anything? sounds good. i have been riding a few years now and find that cantering is still a problem (just cant wait for the day that it feels more natural and easy)
so if you think its helping you i am sure it will help me to. got one of sylvia lochs videos which is great but felt it was a bit too dressagey (sp?) for my abilties need more details on the basics, is this what its all about.

[happy hacker]

i know what you mean about watching some riders in dressage tests. it makes me more hopeful about my riding. who am i to critisize (but i will anyway) some of the experts looked like chickens cause their heads wouldnt stay still they just kept nodding back and fowards like they were about to cluck and lay an egg any moment:eek: and this was at the blenheim (cant spell) horse trial thingy.

i think they were so trying to look like they were going with the movement and werent stiff and were relaxed that they exagerated the head movements. some of them (not the chicken layer ones) looked like they were auditioning for a heavy metal rock band because they were "head banging" so hard

listen to me (you think i could ride properly or something, what a cheek i have) but it was so so funny

:D

[Heather]

HI folks,


The 'nodding donkey' syndrome - they always make me think of the nodding donkey of an oil well!- actually all comes from the seat. Because the rider is pushing the seat along the saddle and back instead of allowing the seatbones to rise and dfall with the two halves of the horse's back, the knees drop down as the seatbones slide forward together and then the knees come up as the seatbones slide back again.

This causes the lower leg to bang at every stride, instead of the legs wrapping quietly round and just going with the swing of the horse's belly, rather than against it. Because the rest of the movement can't be absorbed through the lower back ( which should act like a small controlled spring- not wobbly and belly flopping as is also so often seen in the mistaken belief that this is 'supple'!!) it comes out in the next available flexible place- the neck and shoulders, hence the nodding head. I'd like to know how they see where they are going, and how contact lens wearers like me, don't find them falling out!!

Heather