tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657955103086716631.post6738347861833343045..comments2023-10-09T04:52:59.121-06:00Comments on Trails to Lead Old Cowboys Home Again: ThingsCrickethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834640625999522559noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657955103086716631.post-53537022740656238632014-05-22T13:46:15.548-06:002014-05-22T13:46:15.548-06:00Cantering is hard. I may be the only other person ...Cantering is hard. I may be the only other person in existence that gets exhausted cantering, but I completely understand because I've been there! The first year that I had Lily, I just 2-pointed at the canter. Not a full 2-point, more what is sometimes called a 3-point in the jumper world, where you're basically standing a bit in your stirrups, allowing your weight to sink into your heels and steadied by your thighs, shoulders tilted forward slightly. You can try this at the trot initially while building up strength. Just do a lap or two around the arena at a time, go back to doing other things, then do the exercise again. Repeat as often as you can. It's okay if you can only do a few strides in the beginning - it works different muscles than what you normally use riding, but these are supporting muscles that, once developed, will make everything else soooo much easier. Don't worry about Ashke while doing this, just have him go in a straight line following the rail. <br /><br />Hold onto his mane with one or both hands, relax your elbows, engage your core as much as you can. Your abs shouldn't be clenched tight, but they should feel taught to protect your back. Push your chest forward a bit and think about pulling your shoulder blades back together towards one another. Then think about lengthening your legs down, down, down and let your weight sink into your heels as you lift your weight out of your seat. Your heels should feel long and heavy, with your thighs supporting the rest of your body. <br /><br />Be patient and work up the amount of time you do this at the trot. Eventually you'll be able to try this at the canter and it will be a huge help in helping with your lower leg! I ditto the Sally Swift recommendation, and I also love Mary Wanless's book "Ride With Your Mind". http://www.amazon.com/Ride-Your-Mind-Illustrated-Masterclass/dp/0943955521 It was a turning point for me in my riding!Nicole Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817619834026667737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657955103086716631.post-15781333831066120912014-05-22T09:48:39.083-06:002014-05-22T09:48:39.083-06:00I'm SO thrilled the AE is working for you!!! A...I'm SO thrilled the AE is working for you!!! And I giggled all the way through #1. Friggin' hilarious.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7657955103086716631.post-10717395414912191662014-05-22T08:31:25.171-06:002014-05-22T08:31:25.171-06:00I really liked Sally Swift's Centered Riding f...I really liked Sally Swift's Centered Riding for getting into the stirrups. You still do a lot of stirrup-less riding, but the focus is on balance rather than clinging with your muscles. The image I remember is to be like a tree with your roots (feet) reaching into the ground. Doing Horse Trials where you go from hunt seat to dressage I had to work on lengthening my legs. Part of it is dropping your knees and making sure your heels are under your ears. And gripping with your inner thigh rather than your calves. Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12509363746521791357noreply@blogger.com