Improving Rider Balance
“Quick Balance” 60 seconds to Better Balance
This marvelous tip from Dr. Mary Taylor Wake Forest
From the moment a horse rider starts riding, they soon find out that balance is probably the No. 1 thing the horse rider has to concentrate on. From day one it’s “good balance = staying on” and “bad balance is on the ground”!
But good horse rider balance and co-ordination gets more and more important when the tasks become difficult.
The eventer needs incredible balance to get through the water course, the dressage rider is thinking about “forward-back balance” – that is, if their position is putting weight on the forehand, or putting weight back on the hind quarters (engagement).
The dressage rider is also thinking of side-side balance starting with the rider falling in on the 20m circle at Level 1, going to Grand Prix where the slightest tip to one side means a horse might have a long stride on one side of the flying changes, and a shorter stride on the other side, or one hind leg slightly higher in piaffe.
And to the young rider in pony club…it’s the difference between winning and losing the bending & barrels as the horse is quicker one way and slower the other.
But probably the worst of the lot is ENDURANCE RIDING! The knee and ankle pain they suffer can become intolerable. You could almost create a term of “endurance rider knees”. Good balance for the endurance rider can mean the difference between finishing the ride, or packing up and going home.
60 Seconds to Better Balance
The problem with this tip is it’s SO SIMPLE the average horse riding population won’t do it. But Grand Prix riders all over the world who have received this tip are LOVING IT!
Every time you clean your teeth…simply stand on one foot, with the other foot out in front of you!
Yes, it’s that simple….but will you try it?
The difference between “Olympians” and “riders” is that Olympians practice horse riding 18 hours a day. In the car, at the table, at the desk, while they’re shopping. And then for the other 8 hours they dream about it.
Give it a go…the only thing you have to lose is bad balance!
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