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Newsletter July 2019

Newsletter July 2019

Well, over the past month I have managed to catch up on a lot of office work – this is stuff that I sort of hide from, ignore and turn a blind eye to, until the office, calendar and website scream at me for attention.  I never seem to be able to see the desk-top…

Newsletter June 2019

Newsletter June 2019

Hi All, I’m just on my way back from Darwin after two further 6 rider format clinics which I have found very rewarding. I take my hat off to Alison Osborne for still running these clinics and am very thankful that she enabled the riders to continue with their education and building on their skills,…

The Fascination of bones – Part 2

The Fascination of bones – Part 2

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ custom_margin=”-6px||0px” custom_padding=”0px||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.5″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||”]   Looking deeper into the bones I notice how the rider’s pelvis is sitting on the saddle and horse, I ask myself is it level front to back and left to right. A saddle that does not fit or is not in…

The fascination of bones -part 1.

The fascination of bones -part 1.

Though out my life and especially as my coaching developed in my 20s, I was more and more intrigued by the bones of the rider and the horse. And the movement patterns of both.
In my early years in coaching training, I was expected and examined in my exams on the conformation of the horse. This took me on a path of many hours, analysing how a horse was put together, if it was going to be able to do its job that the rider was expecting of it?. I was expected to as a coach to be able to advise a student at the pre purchase trial ride and viewing on suitability for purpose, conformation, temperament etc. before they went into the expense of having a horse vetted.
Every time I coach a rider the first thing I focus in on is the bones, I almost see a stick man on a horse. My question to myself is, how are they stacked up? Is there flow in the body? Where are they tight or loose, strong or weak? How is this affecting their balance and the horse?
As soon as I set eyes on the pair; I’m noticing the symmetry of both, horse and rider, the way of movement. The truth is I’m watching before they are even in the arena with me.
As I look deep into the horse at the bones and skeleton it gives me a great insight of what is needed as I analyse how the horse and rider are carrying their bones.
This is always a fascination for me, what does the rider actually sit on, as far as the skeleton is concerned. What is the saddle sitting on and if it doesn’t fit well how is this affecting the spine, spinal processes, ribs, shoulders of the horse. And how is that affecting the whole thoracic sling of the horse as it’s girthed up.

The Joy & frustration of Lateral Work -part 2

The Joy & frustration of Lateral Work -part 2

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ custom_margin=”-6px||0px” custom_padding=”0px||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.5″ text_font=”||||||||”] Lateral Work to Straighten and Strengthen Lateral work will strengthen and allow engagement of your horse’s core muscles, encourage suppleness and bend through the body and promote bending of the joints of the hind leg.  As the hind leg moves forward it steps…

The Joys and frustrations of Lateral Work

The Joys and frustrations of Lateral Work

So often I find riders daunted, confused or frustrated by lateral work. They find things are not going exactly as they planned.

Whether it is leg yield, turn on the forehand, shoulder fore, shoulder in, travers, renvers, half pass or pirouettes; at some point the horse or rider often seems to hit a block in the training.

So why do lateral work anyway? What are the benefits for your horse?

At some stage you will need your horse to step sideways, whether it’s to move over in the stable or to open a gate while trail riding. Or you will want your horse to learn the basic or advanced dressage movements.

Newsletter May 2019

Newsletter May 2019

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ custom_padding=”0px||0px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.5″ custom_padding=”0|0px|27px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.5″] Hi All, It’s been a really busy month for me, full of great opportunities and learning. The Belinda Bolsenbroek clinic was fantastic. I was so humbled by her depth of knowledge, compassion and delivery of information. Throughout my life I have met and watched coaches…

Newsletter April 2019

Newsletter April 2019

Hi All It’s been a busy few weeks with Jenni and I doing our Mind and Body Mastery clinics in Keysbrook and Albany. Hence the newsletter is very late this month. This year was our 5th year of running these clinics together in Perth. For both Jenni and myself it is so gratifying to see…

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