exercises for balance

[Hunter_Mom]

We got a lovely 7 year old Dutch mare in March. She had been injured, but is staying sound now with maintenance, and is cleared for full work. We’ve been working her regularly since then and she’s starting to get much more fit. she’s nicely trained, works hard and is quite lovely to ride. But…

Her balance to the left is far less developed than to the right. It is evident even when at liberty (I turn her out and let her romp instead of lunging if she’s been kept in). Suggestions on exercises that may help her with this?

[AllWeatherGal]

IMO after working with a guy who emphasizes balance is that it’s the culmination of everything else going right, not something one does exercises “for”. And, of course, it’s very strongly influenced by the rider’s balance.

The thing that I’ve found most surprising is I ride my horse (instead of the pattern/movement/exercise), and it requires that I respond to what she needs in the moment.

So, if we’re doing a diagonal, if I feel a, let’s call it a “stutter”, I try to do what she needs to feel safe/balanced instead of “finishing” the diagonal. It never occurred to me. Ever. I was taught to go from letter to letter, as instructed/planned, because that’s how a test works and you train the way you show.

This approach really requires my full attention and participation.

It’s the difference between “doing a half-halt” and … well, that autonomic rebalancing and adjustment that we just do because we feel it.

The difference between “oh, good trot, I think we can canter now” and “trot-trot-canter-canter-canter”. For me, that comma creates some weird space where balance falters and the transition fails.

I’ve had to let go of this idea of what is “supposed to happen” in response to a given aid and really feel where my horse is, where my legs, seat, and spine are …

You and your horse probably have different hooks, so the important exercise is finding them so you don’t get caught unaware.

So, I’d say start with warmup-type rides and work in movements that address bend – serpentines as well as lateral elements, listen to her body, and listen to yours.

Btw, YMMV … I was tense today and had a miserable ride. No amount of “relax stupid woman” seemed to help.

[Hunter_Mom]

She is definitely aware of my level of tension. We had a wonderful lesson Saturday and a great ride tonight. We definitely are learning each other’s quirks, which helps. I know it’s not going to be a quick fix, but I’m ok with that. We have no real goals in life with her at this time. She’s supposed to be my daughter’s horse… if I give her up.

[AllWeatherGal]

oohhhh … tension , yeah. I think a lot of riders share that bugaboo …

Checking the tension in my neck is a new trick for me and it actually trickles through my shoulders, arms and torso.

My instructor’s main goal for every one is to “enjoy your horse”, so you’re doing it right!!

[Color_of_Light]

[QUOTE=Hunter Mom;8295604]
We got a lovely 7 year old Dutch mare in March. She had been injured, but is staying sound now with maintenance, and is cleared for full work. We’ve been working her regularly since then and she’s starting to get much more fit. she’s nicely trained, works hard and is quite lovely to ride. But…

Her balance to the left is far less developed than to the right. It is evident even when at liberty (I turn her out and let her romp instead of lunging if she’s been kept in). Suggestions on exercises that may help her with this?[/QUOTE]

On the lunge, where she can find balance easier without weight or rider, frequent change of dir and frequent up/down transitions. Trot canter trot. Longline would be good because could change directions easily.

Under saddle, try posting on wrong diagonal might assist with balance. Lots of frequent transitions. Some lateral work walk trot to build stabilizing muscles. Even if just leg yield at walk or trot rising. Eventually zigzag leg yield. Rising may help or worsen balance. Have to mix it up and try both.

[Inclinedtowhisper]

One of my young horses has balance issues as well, but its simply a lack of conditioning. Some horses coming off an injury or even because of conformation prefer to use one side and become uneven. Do some carrot stretches after your warm up to help her stretch out a bit, then do some exercises to condition for balance. Serpentines and figure-8s at a trot are amazing for bending and flexion, which then gives them good balance.

Walking up and down hills works on balance as well. Because of the way they have to hold themselves while moving up or down a hill, they’ll develop very good over-all balance quite quickly.

Another good exercise is ground poles. Trot a row of 2-4 ground poles with about 5 feet of space in between each one.

Also make sure that it isn’t a soreness issue or saddle fit problem. Check her feet as well
Make sure that when you ride you do everything evenly on both directions so you don’t make her “one-sidedness” worse.
And try to relax yourself. Have another experienced rider watch you and pinpoint any possible tenseness or shift of your own balance that could cause your horse to do the same.