therapeutic horseback riding

Your online source for therapeutic horseback riding information

Learn-to-Ride-Horses.com

		The promise of this horseback riding ebook is simple: Read it, follow the many tips, tricks and techniques and you will quickly and easily learn the basic skills needed to ride a horse. It's a home Horseback Riding Lesson. Learn Horseback Riding Skills From The Comfort Of Your Own Home...Guaranteed!!!

therapeutic horseback riding tip of the day

Why All The Fuss About Relaxation
Author: Bill Dunigan
Why All The Fuss About Relaxation?

Bill Dunigan

If you have ever taken many riding lessons I'm sure you have heard the word "relaxation". It seems to be a staple in every instructors vocabulary. Have you ever wondered why so many teachers, trainers, and top riders place so much importance on it? Sometimes they are refering to relaxation on the part of the horse and other times it's the rider being encoureged to relax more. What is it about this one aspect of riding horses that makes it so universaly important?

Something that we must realize before going any farther in this discussion is that there is a difference between riding a horse and working a horse. If we are simply out for a trail ride or using the ring just to enjoy the beautiful day on horseback, we are riding. On the other hand if we are preparing for competition, trying to progress to the next level of accomplishment in our chosen diciplin, or practicing what we learned in the previous lesson, then we are working our horse. When we are just riding we are not doing anything in particular to bring about specific results within the horse. However, when working our horse we have a real purpose, That purpose is to systematicaly and effectivly bring about improvement in the physical and mental condition of the horse.

When our horses are tense their mussles, tendons, ligaments, and joints are not able to be as fluid in all of their actions as they need to be. Since we are trying to progress and improve, we need the horse able to performe to the best of it's ability. If our horse is not relaxed while trying to accomplish this then there is no way to truly make the kind of progress we are looking for. Not only does it make it impossible for us to atain the desired results, it makes our horse more susseptable to injury. When the horse is tense their movements become suddon and abrupt. This can cause them to strain or pull something quite easily without us ever asking them to do something difficult, or unusual. Remember, even though they are very large animals they are in many ways quite fragil. When we take over the controls and start telling them when to stop or go, how to move, which way to look and bend, etc. we had better be correct, or we put them at a disadvantage when it comes to saving themselves from injury. The more relaxed we can keep them the easier it is for them to take care of themselves when working. That relaxation enablems them to remain fluid in their movements. This is crutial if we want to avoid injuries.

The relaxation keeps the horse mentaly able to understand and acept what we are wanting them to do. When they are not worried about self preservation from injury they are better able to cooperate with us. They must be able to trust us. If every time we attempt to work them we end up with a nervious, excited, frustrated horse then something is wrong. If this is often the case than they will have a very difficult time trusting us. They are creatures of habit, and have excellent memories. Why should they trust us to give them a good experience today if the last time was as unpleasant for them as it would have been for us. They will trust us when we have earned it, and not before.

If we are doing things correctly, each time we work our horse should be better than the last time. We are building on the previous work. Each workout lays the foundation for the next one. Of course, if we don't have the relaxation to begin with than it's not very likely that we will have the progress. The twe go hand in hand. You can't separate them.

Now, what about us as the rider. If we are tense, uptight, worried, whatever, that transfers directly into our horse. If you are worried about something and unable to shake it than it might be better to lunge that day rather than ride. Be realistic about it. How are you ever going to make progress if you upset the horse. Now I'm not talking about letting the horse get away with things, or spoiling, or just taking the easy way out. If you really feel that you are not doing anything to cause tension in your horse, get some other opinions. Most of us are not vary good at self critiquing. None of us has the time or interest in spinning our wheels for nothing. If you are not making progress, something is wrong. With the amount of time, money, and effort it takes to bring along a horse these days, you and your horse deserve to do it right and make progress. Don't hesitate to get the help you need. One of the most common things I see over and over again is a parent who rides and has children who ride. They are more than willing to do anything to enable their child to improve but simply are unable to justify spending the money on themselves. What kind of example are they setting for the child? One that says it's ok to flounder around making mistake after mistake going nowhere. Think about it that way for once and you just might be able to do something about it. Remember they learn much better from example.

So you see relaxation is a crutial element for both horse and rider regardless of the chosen diciplin. All of the top trainers and riders value it because they know from experience how difficult it is to get maximum cooperation, positive performance results, and remain injury free without it. This is not a new concept. It is something that has been an indespencible part of training horses handed down through the centruies. When so many who have gone before us place so much emphesis on this particular aspect of training, why would any of us feel that it isn't that important. We all need relaxation in both horse and rider for hunter/jumper, dressage, barrel racer, roper, etc. It is the foundation that enables us to build everything else. Without a solid and stable foundation
nothing can stand the test of time. Build on a firm correct foundation and your work will enable you to show steady growth and progress with a much happier and relaxed horse.

You have permission to copy and reuse this article provided there are no changes made to the article and credit is given to the author and the link to his website remains in place. Please notify him by email if you are going to use this article. You may contact Bill Dunigan through his website: http://www.BarrelRacingClinic.com

About the Author

Bill Dunigan has been teaching and competing in excess of 40 years. He has taught and competed in Barrel Racing, Hunter/Jumper, Eventing, Dressage and served as President of a local Dressage Association. During this time, he Fox Hunted four days a week with two different Hunt clubs, one of which he served as Joint Master. Bill qualified six years in a row for the World Championships with the National Barrel Horse Association.

...

Up to the minute therapeutic horseback riding news

[CaRP] XML error: > required at line 4

More Links about therapeutic horseback riding
problems with riding horses
horseback riding in northwest ohio
horseback riding in ireland
horseback riding lessons in northwestern georgia
horseback riding in hinton alberta
horseback riding in san diego
horseback riding tips
theraputic horseback riding
horseback riding videos
horseback riding in pa
horseback riding shenandoah valley
learn horseback riding
horseback riding wa
california dressage show results rancho
dressage brow bands
wood river dressage
north carolina dressage show
british dressage
dressage today magazine
dressage george michael
dressage instructors in ontario
dressage clothing
dressage show photos
rental horseback riding in n.h.
kamloops horseback riding

Other sites that have info about therapeutic horseback riding

1. Welcome to the Broken Wagon Ranch- THerapeutic Horseback Riding for the Hand...
HOME " RANCH " RIDERS " ROUNDUP " RANCHERS " LOCATION " CONTACT " PHOTO GALLERY " HOW TO HELP ...
http://www.yourwebartist.com/bwrweb/index.html

2. Therapeutic Riding Academy of Knoxville
... nutritional, and speech-language therapies provided with hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding. All therapies and counseling are provided with an underlying Christian influence ...
http://www.trak.ws/

3. United Way of Lee County Florida Partner Agencies
... Special Equestrians Horses and Handicapped 731-1212 Provides therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. Success By 6 433-2000 ext 236 Provides ...
http://www.unitedwaylee.org/partagen.html

4. Lazy H Therapeutic Horseback - Bernville , PA
... PA. View map to Lazy H Therapeutic Horseback Explore More on Riding Academies << Find more Horse Suppliers, Horse Equipments & Accessories horse-town.com helps you find Horse Suppliers, Horse ...
http://www.horse-town.com/horse-5513.html

5. Storybook Farm > Therapeutic Horseback Riding
... Our Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Storybook Angels Our Riders Storybook Farm works with children ages 2 to 18. Our therapy is designed for children who have disabilities, have suffered a loss ...
http://www.story-book-farm.org/therapy.html

6. Welcome to Riding Unlimited - Therapeutic Horsemanship Program for the Disabled
... Our Mission Our therapeutic horseback riding program for the disabled is dedicated to the enhancement of the physical, social, educational, and emotional abilities of individuals with special needs ...
http://www.ridingunlimited.org/

7. Therapeutic Horse Back Riding
... Back Riding By Linda Hubley Therapeutic handicapped riding programs ... up all over the country. These riding programs bring disabled ... other important factors that horseback riding offers is it teaches ...
http://www.childrensdisab ...ral_palsy/riding.html

8. O.A.T.S. hrh Home Page
... We offer an activity that is both therapeutic and fun, in a safe, supportive environment ... ... of handicapped individuals through horseback riding and related activities. O.A.T.S. Magical ...
http://www.oatshrh.org/

9. Cowboy Dreams - About Cowboy Dreams
... with special needs by providing a safe, top quality and affordable hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding program. History: Cowboy Dreams is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization founded in ...
http://www.cowboydreams.com/

10. Prancing Horse Home Page
PRANCING HORSE, INC Center for Therapeutic Horseback Riding The Horse Farm Tour is Coming Up, Oct. 16, 2005 CLICK HERE FOR INFO Click Here For Ticket Form! What makes Therapeutic Riding So Special ...
http://www.prancinghorsecenter.org/

12. Latham Foundation
... 00 USD Ability, Not Disability (HCAB: Therapeutic Horseback Riding) Price/Currency This moving documentary visits the Cheff Center for the Handicapped near Battle Creek, Michigan where the physically ...
http://www.latham.org/shop/prodserv.asp

13. Sports Camps - Horseback Riding Summer Camp Horseback Riding Summer Camp
... RHC.com Horse Riding Canada - Horse riding for the disabled, summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding http://www.ability.org.uk/pets_handicapped_and_therapeutic.html (Google) Horseback Riding - Learn ...
http://sports-camps.gr8of ...backridingsummercamp/

14. Front of the Class
... Up! therapeutic horseback riding program, and owner of a public-relations firm in Nashville, Tennessee. Foreword writer Jim Eisenreich is a former Major League baseball player with Touretteís, and he ...
http://www.bookflash.com/ ...m/front_of_the_class/

15. Kualoa Ranch Horseback Riding
... Therapeutic Horse Rides Perhaps, one of the ranch activities that owner John Morgan is most proud of is the therapeutic horseback riding program for the disabled. It came about as a result of his ...
http://www.kualoa.com/horse.htm

16. DreamCatchers Williamsburg at the Cori Sikich Therapeutic Riding Center
... Therapeutic horseback riding can be an accessible option for children or adults of any disability type. Dream Catchers needs your donation! Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Therapeutic Riding Center ...
http://www.dreamcatchersw ...urg.org/howtohelp.htm

17. New Horizons Un-Limited: Recreation and sports therapeutic horseback riding ...
... Inc. Community and Internet Resources Recreation: Sports: Therapeutic Horseback Riding State Listings Arizona Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (TROT), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to offering ...
http://www.new-horizons.org/recthr.html

18. handicapped riding - handicapped horseback riding therapeutic
... org Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Therapeutic Horseback Riding www.riverwoodtrc.org RiverWood Therapeutic Riding Center www.therapyriding.com WALK ON! Therapeutic Riding Center Horse Therapy Riding... www ...
http://www.sport-x.net/to ...ndicapped-riding.html

19. CATR :: CHARLESTON AREA THERAPEUTIC RIDING
... We provide quality therapeutic horseback riding programs in a safe and enjoyable environment to improve and build upon the abilities of our students. CATR staff & volunteers are dedicated to helping ...
http://www.catr-therapeuticriding.org/

20. WSBK: News Links
... com Lovelane's Therapeutic Horseback Riding Lovelane's mission is to provide superior occupational and physical therapy to children who have special needs through hippotherapy and therapeutic ...
http://www.upn38.com/newslinks/

21. Equither - Therapeutic Riding Program
Home Equither is a non profit organization that offers therapeutic horseback riding for all ages with cognitive and physical disabilities. Equither's professional, certified and courteous staff ...
http://www.equither.org/

23. Red Cedar Horseback Riding, Swimming, Camping Complex
Red Cedar is a therapeutic horseback riding, camping and recreational facility that serves more than 1,195 adults and children with disabilities each year and more than 666 non-disabled. Located at ...
http://www.awsusa.com/redcedar.html

24. Friends for Tomorrow - Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Our Mission is to enhance the lives of children and young adults facing extraordinary mental and physical challenges through the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding. Friends for Tomorrow, Inc ...
http://www.friendsfortomorrow.org/index.html

25. hozhonihorseback
... Plans Management Medical Services Feedback Sage Dental Physical Rehabilitation Hozhoni Horseback Therapeutic Riding WEBmail Diabetes Clinic Hozhoni Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program Manager: Brian ...
http://www.navajosage.org/hozhonihorseback.html

26. Aspects and Answers : A Manual for Therapeutic Horseback Riding... by Fran J...
... Sports Books Travel Books Unusual Subjects Books Aspects and Answers : A Manual for Therapeutic Horseback Riding... Buy Aspects and Answers : A Manual for Therapeutic Horseback Riding... here, one ...
http://www.rbookshop.com/ ...ing_Pr_999394050X.htm

27. Hippotherapy
Therapeutic Horseback Riding Eric age 3 on Duchess Hippotherapy is a form of therapy that literally means ìtreatment with the help of a horse.î The primary goals are normalizing muscle tone ...
http://www.twinenterprises.com/cp/barn.htm

28. Therapeutic Riding
... Conditions helped by Therapeutic Horseback riding: Brain Trauma - Cerebral Palsy - Multiple Sclerosis - Muscular Dystrophy - Autism - Spinal Cord Injuries Paraplegia - Stroke and Partial Paralysis ...
http://www.talytara.com/thera_riding.html

29. Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Home Page
... was founded in December 1993 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to provide services in four main areas: Recreational Therapeutic Horseback Riding - Hoofbeats provides training in horsemanship and ...
http://www.hoof-beats.com/

30. NDSA News
... 2004. Rindy joined a therapeutic horseback riding program in Pennsylvania after having brain stem surgery to assist with her rehabilitation. Her main goals after surgery were to walk and talk, both of ...
http://www.ndsaonline.org/news.htm