tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post4778014053437186383..comments2023-10-26T08:22:08.041-07:00Comments on Dressage Training Journal: Great RidesCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-31311903166309162432011-02-16T12:29:56.345-08:002011-02-16T12:29:56.345-08:00So many good points and good advice. I'm going...So many good points and good advice. I'm going to keep referring back to this post as I work on things. Thank you!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-40628196867419428562011-02-15T10:53:21.004-08:002011-02-15T10:53:21.004-08:00"When I canter on Rogo my legs and heels can ..."When I canter on Rogo my legs and heels can creep up. It seems to be related to holding him in the canter, but I know this shouldn't be how I hold him in it."<br /><br />I often slip into this habit - feeling like I have to hold my horse together in the canter. To keep the pressure on, I would inevitably start to bend my knee and shorten my leg. <br /><br />My horse shouldn't count on me to maintain the canter - he is perfectly capable of doing that himself. This weekend I saw a rider who would smack her riding boot with a crop, startling her horse into picking up the pace and driving forward on his own momentum rather than leaning on her leg. I am going to try that myself. <br /><br />I don't think you need to strengthen your lower leg, because really, you don't want to put more pressure on Rogo - you want him to listen to what you are currently riding with.<br /><br />Elaine Banfield, a local dressage trainer, tells her students to imagine that they're about to sit in a chair, but they can't let their bums touch the seat. To do this, you need to balance your weight on your heels. This teaches riders to let their weight sink through their heels when they are mounted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-26235929259268560092011-02-15T05:05:58.949-08:002011-02-15T05:05:58.949-08:00I'm starting to realize how jealous I am of fo...I'm starting to realize how jealous I am of folks who can ride in the winter. Great job, sounds like he's coming along nicely.Rochester Trail Ridershttp://www.rochestertrailriders.com/2011/02/trail-tails-%e2%80%93-slow-feeding-hay-net-round-bales/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-6539409875387396542011-02-14T19:48:13.737-08:002011-02-14T19:48:13.737-08:00Awww Rogo kisses sound so cute. :)
I can't r...Awww Rogo kisses sound so cute. :)<br /><br />I can't really give any advice on the equitation or strengthening the lower legs (except maybe resistance biking - that strengthens the whole leg). It's been so long since I've ridden I doubt I remember any of it lol. Good luck!Achieve1dreamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15401246064499148344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-91088884696522848902011-02-14T12:03:51.262-08:002011-02-14T12:03:51.262-08:00As smazourek said - working without stirrups. I wo...As smazourek said - working without stirrups. I would recommend riding bareback :) I have ridden bareback every other ride or so for the last month and my hips have opened significantly. I have been positioning my legs as if I have stirrups, calf on, heels down, toe forward (as per my trainer) :)<br /><br />I don't often (ever) feel qualified to make riding suggestions, but I believe bareback work can loosen up the hips!<br /><br />Glad you had some good riding time with your kissy horse Rogo valentine ;)Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-60483295088703631272011-02-14T11:05:54.089-08:002011-02-14T11:05:54.089-08:00I'm glad I'm not the only one whose heels ...I'm glad I'm not the only one whose heels creep up. I can go for weeks with them in the correct position but it seems like whenever I'm really concentrating on learning something new, up they come. My instructor has me ride two point and without stirrups quite often - I'm still a beginner so working on gaining strength. <br />I love Rogo's kissing you. The mare I ride does not like to be kissed on the nose. Hugging her neck is okay, however.Ms Martyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16996078255731307805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-53347063597139129992011-02-14T09:42:25.457-08:002011-02-14T09:42:25.457-08:00I agree with everything said so far and stress NO ...I agree with everything said so far and stress NO STIRRUPS ! I always include dropping my stirrups with every single ride, on every single horse I ride! Keeps my seat deep, my legs on and correct, and improves balance! Not to mention you really find the holes in your training (not the horses *giggle*) when you take them away.<br /><br />Happy Valentines Day!Jenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03906855143092978620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-28553888035041461462011-02-14T08:58:28.738-08:002011-02-14T08:58:28.738-08:00I always laugh when I hear the chicken thing. I ca...I always laugh when I hear the chicken thing. I can still catch myself doing that every now and then. You just never know when those old things show themselves again. LOLRising Rainbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04239592070775412669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-4118661503629110162011-02-14T08:51:40.793-08:002011-02-14T08:51:40.793-08:00Three words: No stirrup work. It kills but it make...Three words: No stirrup work. It kills but it makes an immense difference. I look forward to reading anything you learn about keeping better contact since I need so much help with that myself.<br /><br />And how sweet is Rogo wanting all those kisses?smazourekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03029180368325070266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-4856158067368174762011-02-14T07:44:12.647-08:002011-02-14T07:44:12.647-08:00Great feedback. It all makes sense. As a matter of...Great feedback. It all makes sense. As a matter of fact I was very aware of my hips being stiff yesterday and didn't even put it together with my legs wanting to creep upwards. Thanks!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-8212398784045869982011-02-14T05:55:25.390-08:002011-02-14T05:55:25.390-08:00Riding in two point is good for strengthening the ...Riding in two point is good for strengthening the legs. Off the horse, I like the yoga balancing poses. Walking, running or stair climbing are also great (and easy!). It's also important to remember that many problems with leg position start with the hips. If the leg is creeping up, it could be that you're gripping with your inner thigh and/or the horse is behind your leg. Open your hips, allow the leg to fall into place and push the horse up into the contact. I suspect that as your connection improves, so will your position. It's a sort "chicken or egg?" thing. <br /><br />You can so accomplish all that in two weeks. You're very dedicated and awesome about riding no matter what!A Work In Progresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14076863943914879567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-80222747582186074662011-02-14T02:20:40.797-08:002011-02-14T02:20:40.797-08:00Ha ha - the chicken thing has come and gone, to be...Ha ha - the chicken thing has come and gone, to be replaced by new annoyances.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-58007155679051578322011-02-13T20:57:10.258-08:002011-02-13T20:57:10.258-08:00Yoga is my tool for core strength and keeping my l...Yoga is my tool for core strength and keeping my legs correct. I have trouble with my elbow flying out and doing the chicken thing. It's always something, isn't it!Oak Creek Ranchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-26642724771446178012011-02-13T19:13:33.846-08:002011-02-13T19:13:33.846-08:00Glad it went so well :) Setting goals is a great w...Glad it went so well :) Setting goals is a great way to improve your ride. I can't wait to see where you are in two weeks.Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528949271317164229.post-79189788142482869002011-02-13T18:51:52.270-08:002011-02-13T18:51:52.270-08:00it's boot camp time :)
because oscar does a bi...it's boot camp time :)<br />because oscar does a bit of jumping too, i found riding in two point made my legs more secure which translated back to the dressage. maybe when you're out hacking you could do some two point or ride shorter? i'm sure there are other ways of strengthening your lower leg that people will know of!<br /><br />so cute that rogo wants kisses, he seems to be a very special horse :)Hurricanes12https://www.blogger.com/profile/17276210959829300687noreply@blogger.com