Kimo
2nd Mar 2006, 02:36 PM
Loonnnnggg post.....
Oh, last night was a great night. I realized I was leaning forward when I ride (I don't have a RI so I figured this out on my own). So, I found my balance point like Linda Parelli teaches, and then I leaned back more, didn't hollow my lower back, and everything was really great. Mari walked forward with lots of energy, and then I kicked my feet out of the stirrups and it went even better. I rode without stirrups for 45 minutes!
If you know anything about Parelli, you'll have heard of a Pushing Passenger Lesson. Well, I did my first one last night (at the walk, of course, no trotting as of yet). What happens is you hold the reins loosely, sorta push your rear deep into the saddle and put your hands on the lower part of your horse's neck and you do whatever they do. If they turn their head, you turn your head. Drop their neck, you drop your neck. And you let them wander where they want. It gives a horse confidence and it worked so well, I can't believe it. Mari was thinking extremely hard, wondering why I was being so passive and kind, and she explored the entire arena. It was fun.
Well... sorry for rambling on about Parelli, but I tell you, it's so fun and empowering. I never used to get this horse forward without tons of side stepping and head tossing and back arching. Then, I'd usually jump off in fear and give up. Now, I just think "forward" and she moves out with an alert look on her face, one ear swiveling back toward me. I swear, if I didn't know better I'd say she had fun, too! :D
Oh, last night was a great night. I realized I was leaning forward when I ride (I don't have a RI so I figured this out on my own). So, I found my balance point like Linda Parelli teaches, and then I leaned back more, didn't hollow my lower back, and everything was really great. Mari walked forward with lots of energy, and then I kicked my feet out of the stirrups and it went even better. I rode without stirrups for 45 minutes!
If you know anything about Parelli, you'll have heard of a Pushing Passenger Lesson. Well, I did my first one last night (at the walk, of course, no trotting as of yet). What happens is you hold the reins loosely, sorta push your rear deep into the saddle and put your hands on the lower part of your horse's neck and you do whatever they do. If they turn their head, you turn your head. Drop their neck, you drop your neck. And you let them wander where they want. It gives a horse confidence and it worked so well, I can't believe it. Mari was thinking extremely hard, wondering why I was being so passive and kind, and she explored the entire arena. It was fun.
Well... sorry for rambling on about Parelli, but I tell you, it's so fun and empowering. I never used to get this horse forward without tons of side stepping and head tossing and back arching. Then, I'd usually jump off in fear and give up. Now, I just think "forward" and she moves out with an alert look on her face, one ear swiveling back toward me. I swear, if I didn't know better I'd say she had fun, too! :D