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Understanding Biomechanics for Dressage
How to Use Positive Reinforcement
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The Science & Art of Dressage HOME
Understanding Biomechanics for Dressage
THESE METHODS ARE NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND OR IMPLEMENT!
These methods work for both horses and humans. To work as "one", both parties need to feel confident in themselves, be able to move their bodies correctly, and learn how to break old inhibiting patterns -- then foster new, beneficial ones. These methods together help create a positive way to learn Dressage without having to constantly fight against your own imbalances and your horse's as well.
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The Science & Art of Dressage HOME
Understanding Biomechanics for Dressage
- Biomechanics: understanding anatomy and how bodies are used according to their musculature, joints, and skeletal make up goes. For instance, the hocks are not made to be the driving force, (as you often see in the improper training of most horses) -- that is the job of the propulsion of the hips. The hips are a huge ball & socket joint -- they propel the horse forward. The hocks are like a "swing" that helps the leg "unfold" and hit the ground underneath as the horse passes over it. If the horse cannot use his back or hips, the hocks will try to propel the horse forward, creating mountains of stress in that joint. The hock then breaks down. That is why people are often compelled to have hocks injected. I do not know anything about the injections, but it seems it would just be better if the horses were able to use themselves correctly in the first place. Horses can learn this and learn to move more correctly according to the soundness of his anatomy.
- Feldenkrais and Alexander techniques: these are techniques and methods that can be taught to horses and humans to change movement patterns that are detrimental to their overall being. They help awareness come to the consciousness of the being, and then help reform the body to move in a better and stable pattern. It sometimes takes deep tissue massage to integrate muscles and joints to create a more cooperative body.Then the methods will help make muscle memory and learning new patterns possible. For instance, you walk with one hip forward -- but don't know it. Your horse knows it, and it will interfere with your communication to him. Once you are aware, you can learn, through these techniques, how to regain flexibility and strength to put your body where is needs to be to communicate correctly with your horse. He will be happy, you will be happy, and you both will have better rides together.
THESE METHODS ARE NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND OR IMPLEMENT!
These methods work for both horses and humans. To work as "one", both parties need to feel confident in themselves, be able to move their bodies correctly, and learn how to break old inhibiting patterns -- then foster new, beneficial ones. These methods together help create a positive way to learn Dressage without having to constantly fight against your own imbalances and your horse's as well.
All creatures use their bodies in certain patterns, be they beneficial or not to their overall posture or conformation. The way you move affects your posture; consequently, your posture affects the way you move! BIOMECHANICS! Athletes usually understand this. They will take measures to move their bodies in accordance, and to rehabilitate injuries with careful attention to this. They understand that using the correct muscles and joints will keep "break down" to a minimum and increase the proper movement of the body nature intended, BUT ---
Most people do not -- both they and horses will adjust how they do things according to the easiest pattern of movement. They will adapt to their new, lack of motion, (one instance: they limp long after the leg has officially healed.) thus limiting their range of motion. Old injuries often leave, if not visible scars, muscular ones.
This problem is often overlooked or misunderstood. In horseback riding there are two athletes involved, the rider and the equine. For brilliant performances, both rider and horse need to be at their best according to their posture, conformation, and movement. Isn't that our goal, what the judges are looking for? These methods work on both the human and the equine, and makes both their jobs easier to perform, and will keep them sound and happy.It does not take a long time to learn them and implement them for positive results for both rider and horse.
Learn the biomechanics of your body and your horse's, learn how to move more correctly with simple techniques, and how to teach your horse these things. Ride better, communicate better, stay sound longer, and have fun -- YOU and your HORSE!
Most people do not -- both they and horses will adjust how they do things according to the easiest pattern of movement. They will adapt to their new, lack of motion, (one instance: they limp long after the leg has officially healed.) thus limiting their range of motion. Old injuries often leave, if not visible scars, muscular ones.
This problem is often overlooked or misunderstood. In horseback riding there are two athletes involved, the rider and the equine. For brilliant performances, both rider and horse need to be at their best according to their posture, conformation, and movement. Isn't that our goal, what the judges are looking for? These methods work on both the human and the equine, and makes both their jobs easier to perform, and will keep them sound and happy.It does not take a long time to learn them and implement them for positive results for both rider and horse.
Learn the biomechanics of your body and your horse's, learn how to move more correctly with simple techniques, and how to teach your horse these things. Ride better, communicate better, stay sound longer, and have fun -- YOU and your HORSE!
Latest page update: made by circlesofhorses
, Mar 27 2008, 1:33 PM EDT
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Edited by circlesofhorses
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