Horse and rider © Benkert

Behavior that negatively influences the rider's relaxation

As already mentioned, the rider's looseness is of elementary importance when riding. Nevertheless, there are some behaviors that negatively influence the rider's composure and have a strong impact on the harmonious interaction between rider and horse.

For example

• If the buttock and thigh muscles are tensed crampingly, the rider pushes upwards from the lowest point of the saddle. As a result, he no longer sits "in the horse", but "above the horse" and can no longer exert a corresponding effect. In addition, he is no longer able to swing elastically in the middle position.
• Both raised knees and thighs that are too far back and overstretched prevent the pelvis from moving. This blocks the rider's center of movement.
• A chin that is stretched out or strongly drawn up impairs the elasticity of the upper body (thoracic spine) and thus also the "swinging along in the middle position".
• Pinching the elbows causes the shoulders to be pulled up, leads to a rigid hand position and thus to an inelastic rein. It is generally important not to deliberately "put your hands down", but to keep your elbows and wrists flexible in order to create an elastic connection to the horse's mouth.
• Tips of the feet, which are twisted (even too far out) to the horse's body, prevent them from swinging in the pelvis.
• Pick up the stirrups with the tips of the feet (they should be picked up under the ball of the foot) or extremely pressed down heels fix the ankles in each case. This has a clearly negative effect on the elasticity of the entire rider's seat.
• Basically, all joints should not be in an end position (maximum angled or maximum stretched) when riding. From a middle position, a joint can move in any direction it can, in the end position it becomes immobile.
• Power pressure, excitement and anxiety cause breathing (and heart rate) to increase and can lead to holding air or pressurized breathing. Incorrect breathing leads to muscle cramps. This cramping will be transferred to the horse.