Crap from the barn

Timing can be everything.  On May 21, I had the opportunity to apply some of the ideas and thoughts I have cultured throughout this introductory course on action research. I was invited to be a clinician at an area 4-H horse and pony club. I was to help members with their horsemanship skills. This means developing communication with the horse by acquiring the correct position in the saddle.  Ideally, the horse and rider work in unison with aids being almost invisible.

I felt this was a prime opportunity for me to investigate and apply some of the mental exercises in which I have uncovered through readings in my research resources, mainly books. Since the students were not all trained horseman/women and usually arrive at the meetings nervous and hurried, I decided to try my initial thoughts on mental tension and how it related to body tension and possibly lower back pain. Still an avenue to explore and one in which I would like my research to address.

My prediction was correct, both students and parents arrived late hurrying, rushing, grooming, and saddling. By the time student and the horse came to the arena, they were so tense it could be read in their faces, body language and the horses’ reactions. From my own past experiences as a competitor, competitor’s parent and equine instructor, I knew the mental states of minds had to be changed so learning could take place. I began by asking questions about the students, their interests, and experiences so I could first, redirect their attention from being nervous and in turn,  redirect that nervous energy from being transmitted to the horse. Once again, the horse is our mirror.

After reviewing books such as Centered Riding by Sally Swift, I know that simple terminology can change how a maneuver can be executed. For example, many instructors will tell students to “sit up straight” which immediately translates into a stiff rigid back. If asked to ride for a long time, tension results and muscles become fatigued. My approach consisted of asking the student to lengthen their backs. I actually required them to do the exercise using both instructions, straighten and lengthen. The term lengthening resulted in a much softer taller back which did not appear as artificially imposed on the rider. To me, this simply relates to how we mentally picture something. Lengthening has a softer appeal than straighten.

A second common riding fault is for riders to draw their heels up. Many instructors attempt to fix this by using suggestions such as, “push your heels down” or even “put weight in your heels.” I can envision the students straightening their legs and really pushing hard on the stirrup.  My request was that the student s, mentally picture themselves dragging their heels in warm sand or through cool water. Again, this create change from a rigid leg and lower back to a more supple and giving leg which allowed for the shock absorption to take place in the ankle instead of bracing the back.

By trying some mental exercises, including imagery, in my clinic, I feel this is a viable area to research along with the physical exercises.  Another reassuring observation was made by the 4-H leader. She shared with me that she had never seen this specific group of riders and their horses stand so calm and quiet. I would like to think it was the different approach taken to redirect the thought process from one of forcing the position which causes tension to one of allowing the position to develop.