It's On the Tip of My Brain

You know how you know something, and it's just right there, at the tip of your tongue? That's how I am feeling about my balance right now. Except of course the idea is not at the tip of my tongue but rather just on the edge of my thinking. I can feel a puzzle piece shifting back and forth trying to snap into place.

It seems so simple when you use a metaphor like this one.

The trouble (well, just one of many) I am having right now is being able to converse with Sydney with the inside and outside reins at the same time. When he's running on his forehand, my balance is just not good enough to give a half halt with the outside rein while then asking for some flexion with the inside rein all while either catching his outside shoulder or moving over his inside shoulder.

But something Chemaine said at our lesson a week or so ago has taken root and is trying to blossom into understanding. She reminded me that I have a very nice saddle that is both deep and grippy. She encouraged me to use my saddle to sit deeply and not lean forward. I've been keeping that idea in my mind as I ride. What I've noticed is that when Sydney does get quick on his forehand, I do lean forward, if only slightly, which makes it impossible to ask him to rock backwards onto his haunches.

As I lean forward, I've also noticed that I hold my breath, lift my shoulders, and round my back. When I lower my center of gravity, I exhale, lower my shoulders, and lean back. While riding this past week, I reminded myself to sit up tall and thought about lowering my center of gravity. When I did this, my balance was better which allowed me to use the inside and outside reins at the same time. I was amazed at how quickly Sydney quit running off on his forehand. Well duh.

Each ride this past week has tightened up this idea of sitting deeper and more relaxed. Once I develop a feel for something, it's in place, and I wonder how I couldn't feel it before. That's how this is. I am starting to truly understand why I can be more effective if I quit leaning forward.

Let the puzzle be complete!