Week One –
INTRODUCTORY – Part one – GETTING STARTED
Develop a connection, communication and confidence on the ground and in the saddle. Learn the ABC’s of communication. Using body yields for communication and also as diagnostic tool for where emotions are hidden and trapped in the body and using the yield to release the trapped emotions and tension.
Ground skills Centering – preparing ourselves mentally, emotionally and physically
Energy and body awareness
Getting connected with your horse
Building confidence for horse and human
Leading and addressing issues with basic handling
Fundamental body yields
Circling
Playing with obstacles and challenges.
Riding
Basic position – neutral pelvis and alignment
Saddle savvy – saddling safely and does your saddle fit?
Emergency handbrake
Stopping and going
Spiralling to a stop
Turning and directing – bending ribs, yielding FH and yielding HQs
Backing up
Moving in harmony with the horse – feeling and following their movement
Developing feel in handling the reins
Bending the ribs and rolling the HQ’s around
Health care and bodywork : – soaking the feet, sweat balm poultices, feeding and nutrition
Week Two
INTRODUCTORY – Part Two – GAINING CONFIDENCE & IMPROVING SKILLS Develop deeper levels of relaxation in the horse and yourself.
Develop more feel and balance both on the ground and riding.
Ground work when done with quality can become therapeutic and be physiotherapy for the horse. This week and for the following weeks, there is will be a big focus on Body Awareness and Body Balancing sessions for the human.
Ground skills More responsive yields
Using treats to motivate the horse – positive reinforcement
Developing greater feel and understanding of the horse’s body, balance and biomechanics Sideways
Upwards and downwards transitions
Circling: Working on longer lines – 22’ line
Changes of direction
Cantering on line ( for those that are ready otherwise this will be week 3)
Trail walking – developing confidence in your horse on the trail or in big open spaces.
Riding Developing relaxation, rhythm and impulsion
Getting horses to better follow your focus
Refining your aids for turning, stopping and going – using your body better
Beginnings of shoulder and rib mobility exercises
Improving the Backup
Improving the HQ and FH yield
Trot diagonals
Smooth and Balanced transitions
Exercises to develop riders balance, feel, and co-ordination
Health care and bodywork : – energy work and poulticing legs
Week 3
INTERMEDIATE – Part 1 –LIBERTY WORK ON THE GROUND, RIDING SKILLS & POSTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR HORSE & RIDER
This week we use liberty to take all of your ground skill communication to another level. You will really learn to get clear with how you use your energy, body language and body positioning because without a lead rope we have to get very aware and precise. Working with your horse at liberty in this way will take your quality and of feel and connection to a whole new level. While all of the teaching is aimed at developing good posture, self-carriage and healthy biomechanics this week focusses more deeply in this area both on the ground and riding.
Groundwork
Playing at Liberty – no ropes attached
Using groundwork for physiotherapy to help develop good posture, healthy biomechanics, balance and self-carriage.
Riding
Trot diagonals
Rein positions with both reins in the one hand
Turn on the forehand
Forehand yields
Riding more accurate figures and patterns
Getting your horse straight and in alignment
Riding sideways – getting the horses more responsive to your legs.
Getting the horse to stretch over the back and into the contact at the halt.
Health care and bodywork : – stretching and poulticing the feet, understanding more about saddles and how their fit affects the horse.
Week 4 –
INTERMEDIATE – Part 2 – MORE DETAILS ABOUT BIOMECHANICS, BALANCE AND ENERGY FLOWS FOR HORSE AND RIDER
Understanding and attaining lateral alignment (straightness) as the key to balance and self-carriage. Riding to encourage the horses to lift their backs, swing along and engage their HQ’s. Longitudinal balance –where is the weight and is your horse “through” in the back? That means having the energy flowing through the horse’s back, energetically connecting the hind quarters to the front end. Learn about the cycles of energy flow that travel through the bodies of both you and your horse when you are connected and in balance and self-carriage.
Groundwork Ground work exercises to get horse more balanced back on their hindquarters. Getting everything more energised but keeping the relaxation.
Riding Cantering and canter leads
Riding in suspension – riding so that you are weightless and the horse can come into suspension underneath you.
Better balanced transitions
Leg yielding.
Hind quarter yields in motion.
Inside leg to outside rein.
Getting the horse to stretch over the back and into a contact in motion.
More hindquarter engagement
Develop confidence to ride in open spaces or on the trail.