Monday, September 3, 2012

Debbie Sams: Plugged In at the Walk, Plugged In at the Trot

Part 18 in the “Deep Seat” series

Plugged In at the Walk
At the walk you will feel and move with the swinging motion of the horse. Some horses have a side-to-side sort of swing. Others swing the rider’s hips forward and back. And still others have a combination of forward, back, and side-to-side motions.

Plugged In at the Trot
The seat bone connection at the trot/jog is essential to having a ride that is comfortable for both horse and rider during sitting trot. Therefore, the rider must know how to use his body most efficiently.

The abdominal muscles: At the trot/jog it is most important to know how to use the abdominal muscles. They must pull up and relax.

The use of the back: The lower back must flatten and relax while remaining plugged in (Illus. 15, 16).


Read Part 1 (Sticking to Your Horse with a Deep Seat) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 2 (Deep Seat versus Light Seat) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 3 (Deep Seat Problem and Solution) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 4 (Arched Back — Problems and Solutions) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 5 (Torso Leaning Forward — Collapsed Chest) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 6 (Rounded Shoulders, Collapsed Chest) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 7 (Knees and Heels Creeping Up) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 8 (Toes and Knees Turned Out) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 9 (Gripping with Knees) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 10 (Behind the Motion) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 11 (Heels Up) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 12 (Looking Down) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 13 (Collapsing Hip) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 14 (Twisting) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 15 (Not Using Shock Aborbers) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 16 (Getting Plugged In) in the "Deep Seat" series
Read Part 17 (Being Plugged In on a Turn) in the "Deep Seat" series 

Debbie Sams teaches English and Western riding with an emphasis on dressage. At her Springer's Stables in Broadalbin, New York, she also teaches drill team and vaulting. Her farm gives pony parties and holds horse camps for scouts and local community college and elementary school youth programs, as well as for the Sacandaga Bible Conference and Retreat Center. Debbie has been teaching drama and drill team on horseback since 1979; in 1985 she became a Certified Horsemanship Association Instructor. She is the author of 101 Drill Team Exercises and has also put her horse knowledge to work in writing for such publications as Practical Horseman, Equus, and the Northeast Horseman’s Journal.

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