What is Connected Riding®?
In the July issue we saw how doing some
specific ground exercises with a horse to help it release tension, then balancing
the rider’s position, improved the softness, attention, engagement and
communication of them both. Last month
we focussed on how Connected Groundwork can change not only the shape of a
horse but also its balance, attentiveness and engagement. Now, let’s look closer at what Connected
Riding® actually is.
Connected Riding® was developed by Peggy
Cummings, an American who lives in
Posture and how you use your body is a big
part of Connected Riding®. Most people
these days know something about body language, particularly with regards to
moving their horse loose in a round pen.
What they tend to be unaware of is how the different ways they hold and
use their body affect how clearly their communication reaches their horse. We start with exercises for the riders,
without their horses, to help enhance our body awareness and understanding of
our connection to our horse.
The next step is Connected Groundwork®, “to
develop the muscular, postural and movement patterns of the horse towards
self-carriage,” says Peggy. “Tightness,
bracing patterns, crookedness, and on-the-forehand tendencies exist in all
horses”, but the series of exercises teaches the horse how to release tension,
lift his back, shift his weight and rebalance, developing his ‘pushing’
power. Common areas that horses hold
tension are the poll, behind the cheek, neck, base of neck and shoulder. The groundwork exercises start educating the
horse how to release in these areas, and then how to carry himself that
way. Doing these exercises before riding
also prepares his muscles more quickly and effectively than getting straight
on. The exercises work not only on a
physical level but on an emotional one – you can’t have one without the other –
ultimately resulting in a truly balanced and ‘ok’ horse.
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The first photo shows a horse releasing
the head and neck. The first challenge
for a lot of horses is figuring out how to do that without then taking a step forwards. |
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Next, can we walk forward whilst keeping
the head and neck released, and staying connected… |
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A variety of walking exercises follow, encouraging
the horse to continue releasing through the body, softly bending, and pushing
through from behind.
Peggy continues, “Connected Riding® is
based upon the premise that a rider’s body must be free and able to move
astride a horse… rebalancing automatically with each stride.” The inner thigh and knee should be soft and
relaxed, the foot level. In an attempt to keep their thighs close to
the horse and toes pointing forward, many riders, particularly females, end up
tightening the thigh muscles, tipping the pelvis and upper body forwards and
causing instability. The pelvis must
be level (seat bones pointing straight down) in order for the upper body to
rebalance and for the legs to be able to act independently. Riding
with a hollow back, pelvis tipped forwards, causes your horse to hollow also,
to string out and raise his head, and makes it very difficult for him to round
up under you and engage / collect.
On your horse, try bringing your knees right up, jockey style. Feel your seat bones, and how flat your lower
back is. What does it take to recreate
that feeling with your legs down? Put
yourself in your horse’s position: go down on all fours and have a friend ‘sit’
on you. Have them try 3 different
positions – slouched, arched / sitting up straight, and neutral / level – and
see what you, the horse, feel.
In correct balance everything becomes
easier, as the rider feels more secure and communication with their horse is
quicker, clearer, and easier. Over
reactive horses become calmer, and sluggish horses more willing; rider and
horse become ‘connected’.
Connected Riding® is a progressive, ongoing
system, where each lesson or clinic will enhance and expand your understanding
and ability, and your horse’s attention and engagement. Regular clinics are held countrywide; see ad
on this page, or check website for details.
Trisha Wren
©Trisha Wren August
06
as printed in: The Organic Equine magazine (Sept 2006)