Trisha wren ~ Connect With Your Horse

At the beginning of April I started riding Hunter again, and finally all the pieces started falling into place. (To recap: he’d done nothing at all from Oct – Dec 06, and Connected Groundwork only from mid Jan 07.) At last he is letting go, mentally and physically, which results in improved softness, attention, and self-carriage. His balance and suppleness through his body is also much better, so he no longer feels quite like a motorbike when going round corners – very disconcerting for the rider!!

One of the things I did in preparation for riding him again was ‘body wrap’ him. This is a TTEAM technique, which uses elastic bandages around the body to increase the horse’s own body awareness. For Hunter I felt that this would help him ‘connect’ his hind end to the front. (Note: I’ve also used this technique on my Kaimanawa’s to great effect. Please take advice from a professional before trying this yourself at home.)

When I first started riding again Hunter was still very light in my hands, tending to raise his head away from any suggestion of contact on the reins. This of course meant he would also hollow his back and not be able to engage his hind legs; it was a bit like riding a camel! By riding him in lots of serpentines he was encouraged to release through his body, step up underneath himself, and start lengthening his head and neck down into the contact. Another useful technique was sliding on the reins (see pic); this enabled me to maintain contact with him even if he popped his head up, but was also a soothing way of showing him that contact was okay.

We’ve also been taking our practicing out on the farm, and for the first time in the 1.5 years we’ve had him Hunter has been walking calmly home and not breaking out in a sweat with worry. I know as soon as he’s feeling a little challenged or concerned though, as his lips start to flap madly! Then it’s time to change things up to bring his attention back or help him soften himself.

The Connected Groundwork exercises have really helped Hunter to find a softer, more engaged way of carrying himself, along with Connected Riding techniques to continue that improvement under saddle. The next instalment will be on trot – watch this space!

Trisha