Pilates For Ponies

28/01/2021

Mary Wanless changed the way the world thought about rider balance, here she looks at the chair seat: "When the rider is in an "arm chair seat" it is impossible to bring the horse correctly "on to the bit", for as she falls down into the "mantrap" she unknowingly perpetuates the hollow in his back. Meanwhile, she is probably over-using her hand, and worrying about the position of his head. This puts the horse into a horrible contortion: try hollowing your own back and pulling your chin in. Most horses will do their utmost to get out of this position, whilst the saintly ones "give in" and offer a rather unconvincing imitation of dressage." https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/01/top-tip-balance-over-the-stirrup-with-mary-wanless/

17/01/2021

If your horse struggles to balance, I can guarantee to you that it is not going to be fixed by placing the head and neck into XYZ weird position.

If your horse is falling through a shoulder, derailing on a circle or difficult to steer, I can guarantee that this does not need to be fixed by shortening the reins and towing their head in.

If you're struggling with any of the above you should look at how to train their back. Once a horse can mobilise their back, I guarantee that their balance and steering won't be a problem.

If you do anything with 2021, learn to loosen your reins and work the horses back not their head.

09/12/2020

Carl Hester tells us: “We want the horse in self carriage, and that means the rider has to be in self carriage and without a strong core, that is very difficult to do. It is worth riders spending the time getting the core strong, then you won’t need your arms or legs to hold you in the saddle – they must be soft and independent of your body.” For more Hester wisdom:
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2020/09/carl-hester-on-self-carriage-for-both-horse-and-rider/

06/12/2020

02/12/2020

🦄 Straightness allows the free flow and recycling of impulsion from the hind end; suppleness allows the release of tension and encourages elasticity and flexibility 🦄

06/11/2020

🦄 Pole or cavaletti work can be a fantastic tool for strength building...but that’s not all! 🦄

Poles are a great diagnostic tool and can help us to assess and improve physical development through various configurations, in areas such as:

✅ Straightness

✅ Body control

✅ Balance

✅ Core and hind engagement

✅ Propreoception

✅ Structured/low impact rehabilitation

✅ Range of motion

✅ Limb articulation

✅ Correct forward

✅ Rhythm

✅ Correct muscle development

All of these factors help to create a capable, relaxed and willing equine partner.

Balance and physical capability play a large role in preventing negative or unwanted behaviours, sometimes in scenarios that you may not connect immediately.

We are passionate about physical development, particularly that which keeps our horses sound and allows them to efficiently and comfortably carry a rider; we use pole work as a fundamental element of all of our training programs.

13/09/2020