So what is biomechanics? well, according to www.answers.com it is as follows ;
n.
- (used with a sing. verb) The study of the mechanics of a living body, especially of the forces exerted by muscles and gravity on the skeletal structure.
- (used with a pl. verb) The mechanics of a part or function of a living body, such as of the heart or of locomotion.
Simply, I am studying how the movement of the riders body affects the movement of the horses body. I believe that for most riders, if they can improve the way their body moves, become more balanced and centered, and have better posture, it will allow the horse to perform better.
One of the interesting parts about it, is that most of the information is contained within the FEI rules for dressage! They are quite specific as to how your body should be, where your hands should be, where your head should be, how you legs should be, your heels etc. Check out www.horsesport.org and you can find the rules and read them for yourself.
So what made me choose this? well, I have always wanted a career in horses, I have studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (equine) only to find that the parts of the horse industry it allowed me to work in were not my passion. I love riding, jumping, dressage, eventing, training, working with young/green horses etc.
I am certainly no natural! and I did not own a horse till I was 21, so I missed all those years of pony club and early competing that helps you develop an instinct for the horse at a young age. When I purchased my first horse, I had no idea! I got some VERY bad advice from a "friend" as to what horse to buy, turned out she was making commission on the sale and really couldn't care less about it being the most appropriate horse for my skill level or goals. The horse I bought (because she was pretty) was a lovely little chesnut mare , who was an ex- polo cross pony. Keep in mind, I wanted to do dressage and jumping....... and was very inexperienced...... well, you can imagine......
I spent a lot of time on the floor, I am lucky, in that grew up doing gymnastics and martial arts so I know how to fall. I literally fell off at least once every single time I rode that horse. I kept at it and kept at it, thinking one day I will get better at this, if I just keep practicing. I was at uni in Wagga studying my degree, so was broke and couldn't afford lessons, so most of my learning was through reading, videos, and watching and learning from friends. I tell you what though, I understand a LOT about the theory of riding! I also was fascinated with all the different training methods I came across, so spent a lot of time learning about how to start a horse, join-up, breaking, backing, lunging, and all the various different forms and variables of various training methods.
One fall I had, I got my foot stuck and got dragged on my head, I don't know how far, luckily, I don't remember anything :) It really renewed my efforts to get better at this, I knew that it had to happen eventually, I mean surely even the worst person cant ride thousands of hours and not get better!
Finally, a few years later, I had moved to Queensland and was having some jumping lessons (I was also riding racehorses by this time), and fell off yet again. I burst into tears, and said to my instructor, "I DONT UNDERSTAND! why do I keep falling off? what am I doing wrong? can you please get on my horse and tell me what I am doing?" he said "No way! I am not getting on that crazy horse, she will kill me! get a new horse!" This was a revelation to me. Through all the years, no-one had suggested to me that I might be better off on a different horse.
I got a new horse, (straight off the track, but quiet) and suddenly all the years of learning theory and trying different things was like magic! my horse responded, within months I was jumping him, doing basic dressage and beginner eventing. This was amazing to me! I kept saying to people "well he must have had some decent training before he became a race horse, he responds so well". Yes that is certainly part of it, but also it was just such a different experience from riding my mad mare, I could not believe it.
Since then I have taken a number of off the track horses and turned them into nice riding horses. One of which competed at Pre-novice eventing before I became pregnant, in fact the last competition he went to was the State championships, where he came 12th. Unfortunately he died before I was able to start riding again. So I have started again and have a few horses on the go now, a lovely mare "Sky" who has had one pre-novice start ( I fell off and didn't finish though, yes, I still fall off), a flashy gelding "Mocha" who everyone loves to bits, and always scores well in dressage. A new OTT who I haven't done much at all with yet, and I have just purchased my first warmblood, who is 2, and who could forget Misty, the pony for my son..... except we can never catch her.... grrr.... what to do with her ....
Now, this is of course only one part of the equation, first - make sure you are riding a horse that is appropriate for your skill level and goals! there is nothing more heartbreaking than struggling over and over with a horse that you are not ready for!
Second, understand that if you ride right, your horse will go right! You WILL improve your horses way of going by having good posture and balance. My early years were spent in a crouch, waiting for the inevitable fall, this meant my horse never had any chance to improve her way of going, all her weight on the forehand, me gripping on for dear life, the slightest over balance by me, and she would spin, gallop, or stop! I also hate to think of what I did to her poor mouth.
One of the best exercises I ever did when i got the new horse, was spent hours in the round yard with no stirrups and no reins. I knew I needed to develop and independent seat, I knew I needed to make sure my hands were not going to interfere with the horses mouth. Only a month later people were complimenting me on my lovely hands :) (well, at least the MASSIVE improvement anyway).
It has been a long road, and I am still by no means the best I will be, but I have certainly learnt a lot, and improved a lot.
I would like to share with you as I learn, and I hope you can gain something from my experiences that will help you with your riding as well.
Kelly Tombs
www.postureseatbalance.com.au
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