Reflecting on the Texas Clinics Nov 22, 2009

Texas is the Deep Fried State. From fried chicken to chicken fried steak to fried pie, all that is edible is dipped in grease and fried to a golden and delicious brown. If it is not fried, it is not Texas.  I also learned that if it is fried it also comes with corn, beans and potatoes and then followed by homemade pie! They call it “comfort food.”  No wonder Texan’s are so warm and hospitable.  I believe Texas is the only state that has “fried butter” on a stick. Butter on a Stick……  I will have to pass on that one.

I do love Texas. Debbie and I consider it our second home.  It just fits our lifestyle. If you love horses and the free spirit of cowboy life Texas is the place to be. Texas is darn big too. “Down the road a piece” means 100 miles.

Texan’s are serious about their horses too.  Like the Lone Star, the Longhorn, the Horse is as much a part of the Texas as cattle ranching and oil.

I came to Texas to do 2 clinics with famed horseman Jack Brainard.  Jack had to have emergency bypass surgery (Jack is doing very well and expected to make a full recovery) so our plans changed a bit but the clinics went on as scheduled.  During breaks between the clinics I gave private lessons to those that were extremely eager to learn the kind of horsemanship I had to offer.

I was in Texas for 6 weeks and in reflection the one thing that I found that my students in the clinics and lessons alike needed the most help on was, FORWARD MOTION.

Forward Motion is not just going forward, or getting from point A to point B. It does not mean going fast either. Forward Motion is Torque. Forward Motion is the Power Behind the Stride.  Without Forward Motion you can’t execute maneuvers properly.  It is essential and needed to correctly move forward, latterly, back, stop, and turn and to create and maintain balance, self-carriage and collection.

Forward Motion is the drive train of the horse.  It originates from the hindquarter, where the horse’s power or drive comes from.  A hollow back horse has no Forward Motion.  For a horse to truly have Forward Motion he has to shift part of his forehand body weight back to the hindquarters, lightning his forehand. Then he should round his back and step deep underneath himself as he steps from behind. To be correct the horse’s hocks should not pass behind his tail line thus indicating that his hind legs were left behind or disengaged. This kind of tracking is a waste of energy for the horse as he can’t carry the desired weight on his hind legs. A horse that is worked with a hollow back and disengaged hindquarters is hindering the movement of the front end and creating additional stress for the front limbs. This can lead to many front leg problems we see in horses today.

I do not desire to ride a horse “down hill.” This is a horse with too much weight on his front end, hollow backed and disengaged. My goal is to ride a horse that is “up hill.” By asking a horse to round his back, engage his hindquarters and step deep from behind he will lower his croup and raise the front end at the withers. Doing so frees up the shoulders and front limbs and helps keep the horse in balance.

When asking a horse for Forward Motion, a round back and engaged hindquarters start slowly, build and condition like you would a top athlete. A horse must be fit physically and mentally to do the job requested by his rider. This does not happen overnight and patience and consistency is the key to a happy partnership.

When asking your horse for Forward Motion at the walk you must first take up the slack in the reins then drive the horse forward with your legs and seat.  Ask for a few short powerful steps one at a time, stop and walk on a relaxed rein. Repeat the driving with legs and seat and contact with the reins for a few strides again. Remember to take small, short powerful steps one at a time. You want to have control over each foot as the horse picks it up, moves it forward and places it down. It is almost a slow walk with a slight hesitation. It will take lots of rider’s leg.  The horse maybe confused at first and uncomfortable but that is the beginning of conditioning.  The horse may try to avoid rounding his back by throwing his haunches to one side or backing.  Make the correction and ask for a few steps forward. Do not drill but be consistent and clear. When you get a few strides reward the horse with a loose rein and relaxed manner. Do this exercise a little bit each work out. You need to be successful at the walk before you move on to the trot.  As I continue my thoughts on Texas I will discuss the need and importance of the Forward Motion at the jog/trot, lope/canter, the bend and suppling.  I will also share exercises I use to help with rounding the back and engagement.

Until then …. Happy Trails

Eitan