Riding the Wave

I don't remember where I read it, but I recently saw an explanation of the canter that made a lot of sense. The canter was described as a wave motion, an undulating up and down. If you ever watch a slow motion video of the canter, you can see the uphill and downhill moments. And just like in a scientific wavelength, a canter can be lengthened or compressed. For a rider to stay connected to the saddle without the saddle smacking her in the butt, she must ride the wave which means following the horse's up and down motion by opening and closing the hips.

Ignore all of the sciency bits ... focus on the wave.

I am by no means an expert, but I love a good metaphor or visual. Learning to sit the trot is challenging and so is correctly sitting the canter. Visualizing how to sit the trot or canter helps me actually do it. I used a lot of visuals when learning to sit the trot like pedaling a bicycle backwards and using alternating seat bones.When I heard the canter described as a wave, that description resonated with my visual brain. When I can attach an image to a feeling, it is much easier to imagine myself doing it. 

For the past two Fridays, Brooke has been able to come out for lessons on Speedy. I have to feel a bit sorry for Speedy's ladies as I very unapologetically like to experiment with what I am learning. This idea of the canter as a wave was so intriguing that I couldn't help but play around with the idea as I coached Brooke. Fortunately, Brooke is a triathlete so she is more body aware than a lot of other riders might be. While she's still in the early stages of developing a dressage seat, she enjoys the lessons that focus on her position, and she's quick to feel the affects that a new position has on Speedy's way of going.

With that in mind, I spent a good amount of time tweaking Brooke's position as she rode. She's still struggling with her balance, especially in the canter. Like many riders, she wants to lean forward and grip with her lower leg. As she rode, I kept up a steady stream of instruction: Let your inside leg hang. Sit on in your inside seat bone. Sit up. Let your elbows follow. And so on. I know she enjoys riding, but I think I get more out of these lessons than she does. When I see my coaching have an immediate effect on her position and Speedy's way of going, I know that I truly understand the concept of whatever it is that I am teaching.

Speedy's recent "come to Jesus" meetings were very helpful. He suddenly remembered how to be a good boy.

I am desperate to get a lesson myself, but until Izzy's foot heals up (more on that soon), Speedy is just going to have to put up with me. School is just about to start anyway which means I am about to get busy as all heck. While I am working 12 hour days, Izzy's pastern can heal.

Hurry up, brown horse; I am itching to get back to it!