Lesson today - arm circles

[laura jeanne]

Well, I managed a half way decent sitting trot and a couple of canters in my lesson today and then we were introduced to the "arm circle". This is where you take the reins in one hand and with the other arm you make a circle- ellbow locked, straight out in front (palm up), over your head, and back and down and then switch to the other arm. The whole time, you have to stare at your palm. Oh yes, meanwhile, you are doing sitting trot.

I actually started off okay but then thought, oh no I'm not steering! So when I started to think about that, the whole thing went wrong and I was all over the place. Recap from instructor was that OH was perfect as usual, getting into the rhythm and doing fine whereas I was told that I tried too hard and the horse could tell that I was confused and so he was too. Heehee- I'm so LAME!!

OH is sure that this must be an old cavalry exercise where they had to do things with their swords while still riding and steering with their seat and legs. He is all into some books about the old west and Indians etc which I will write about in another thread maybe.

[ponymadgal]

That sounds so cool!!

[virtuallyhorses]

Its not so much a cavalry exercise as a general one, although no doubt the cavalry do do it. It helps to create an independent upper and lower body - like rubbing your tummy and patting your head :) It is also great at straightening and lifting the upper body. You're probably told to look at your palm to help to get you out of the habit of staring at the horse's neck ;) and again to give you that feeling of lifting your torso.

As you progress you will probably also do exercises where you canter with one arm raised vertically, ride with one arm behind your back or ride with one arm hanging loosely at your side. The 'ideal' of advanced riding in dressage is to ride on the curb alone using one hand - very few achieve this but it is great to practice even with a snaffle as it really teaches you to sit UP.

:D :D Don't worry about being 'lame' - we all are at the beginning... and yes, men can be annoyingly good at the beginning :p don't worry there'll be bits that you are better at (like feel usually) later on.

[laura jeanne]

[QUOTE=virtuallyhorses] It helps to create an independent upper and lower body - like rubbing your tummy and patting your head :) It is also great at straightening and lifting the upper body. QUOTE]


That's EXACTLY what the instructor said! She even did the head/tummy thing.

[wanabe]

I can't quite imagine this circle but it sounds very difficult! If I could do stuff like that, I'd probably be flying helicopters!! :D