Trisha wren ~ Connect With Your Horse

Just an email to let you know that I really appreciated learning about Connected Riding - I didn't bring my horse but I have had an interesting time putting the lessons into practice. After a few times of using the Connected method I have found that he understands and seems to be relaxing into it. Tension in the neck has been a big thing with him and I am finding that he is changing and becoming more flexible. I found that he had a lot of build up in particular around the cheek which has improved. He is actually starting to round out his back and use his body and lower his head as he moves. I also believe that he likes the closer connection through the halter as well as the woolen cover on the nose and the poll area. This is the first time I have had a real connection through the reins as he has always disliked pressure from the reins and hence I have always ridden with a loose rein. He seemed to have learned to accept contact with the reins very quickly through stroking them during groundwork. It’s a real breakthrough and very helpful for my riding as well.
Today we progressed from walking to trotting in serpentines during groundwork. He is really becoming flexible and able to move with more ease through the changes of direction. I am amazed – it’s what I have been looking for. As far as myself, I am so much more aware of my posture and my need to relax on the ground and in the saddle.
I am hoping that you will be coming back to Canberra or around this region at some time in the future and catching up with you again.
Johanne

I have been meaning to email you since the clinic to say how much I enjoyed it! I learnt a lot and probably have forgotten a lot but will continue to practice what I do remember. I do some of the groundwork exercises with Shadow before I ride him and he loves them. I have also done them with my two boys and it is interesting to see how they react. Sometimes their reactions have helped me to pick up some slight soreness or tension that I wouldn’t have otherwise known was there. Other times they just stand there and bliss out which is very pleasant for them and for me.
Apart from the groundwork exercises the particular things that stood out for me have been the serpentine leading, the rising to the trot, the contact with the lower leg and how you taught us to use our bodies generally.
I now love riding with my calves hugging my horse, when I think how stiff and unyielding riding the heels down way really is, I feel sorry for all those horses I have tormented over the years. Now I can feel exactly how my horse is moving and give him the tiniest of signals as to what I want him to do.
How to use our bodies – rotating our whole upper body, rather than just our arms, standing squarely on our feet, meeting and melting – they sound like such small things but they make such a difference. So thank you again for sharing your time and knowledge and I look forward to another clinic whenever that might be.
Margaret

Just wanted to let you know that I have been practicing the connected riding groundwork and riding techniques you taught us in the clinic. The new riding position I've learned from you has made a huge difference to my trot and canter, it's difficult to put into words, it's like floating. (If I was a good writer I would have written an eloquent testimonial much sooner to send to you. But some things you can't put into words, or if you try, it sounds silly. For example if I said when I canter now it's "like a dream and pure joy", that sounds pretty pathetic and it still doesn't describe how what you've taught me has affected my riding and my horse.) I am so much more comfortable, and I'm sure my horse is much more comfortable too, we're altogether nice and smooth, when before there was something wrong but I didn't know how to make it better. I'm very keen to link up again if you come to Canberra in August, for a refresher, and learn more connected techniques.
Sue