My Horse Is So Flexible In The Field.......Why Are They So Stiff When I Ride Them?

I was discussing with a client today (I am sure she won't mind me sharing) how her instructor was able to get so much more from her horse than she was.

I told her this was nothing to be ashamed of.

Her instructor dedicates her life to riding and training horses and has a vast amount of experience, how could someone with horses as a hobby around their full time job possibly ride in the same way?

I have always been a fan of instructors that will ride their clients horses.

It's so incredibly valuable as an owner to be able to see just what your horse is capable of.

It can often provide hope and also something to aspire to.

What we also need to consider is that as a rider our job is not only to influence the horses way of going but also to stay out of their way enabling them to move and balance their bodies beneath us.

As a less experienced rider your ability to be in harmony with your horse and to prevent unbalancing them is less established.

Therefore not only does your horse have to negotiate their own body in the manner in which you are asking them to they also have to account for their rider's imbalances.

No wonder they sometimes go 'stiff' trying to do this!!

So how does this apply to Equine Massage Therapy and my treatments?

During a treatment with me I will assess your horse and help to release soft tissue restrictions.

I will also identify your horse's weaknesses and imbalances and demonstrate in a positive way things you can do to help your horse to develop and improve these to enable them to support you as a rider.

I also encourage you to look at yourself, your own asymmetries, and your own strengths and weaknesses.

Improving your own body, identifying your strengths and weaknesses and asymmetries and addressing them as well as your balance and feel as a rider will help you begin to get the best from your horse.

I am happy to give recommendations for professionals that can help you with the human aspect should you want them.

But the point of this post is that at 'liberty' it may seem your horse is capable of anything - but in motion and then with a rider too things get a little more tricky.

And if we expect the horse to perform in 'our' world we need to take the very best care of them as well as ourselves.

I hope this gives some food for thought 💭

Jess | Jessica Limpkin Equine Massage Therapy