Got RHYTHM?
ACTHA Monthly |April 2015 | 46
by Barbra Schulte
Barbra Schulte is a Professional Cutting Horse Trainer, Personal Performance Coach, Author, Clinician, and Equine Consultant. In 2012 Barbra was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious honors possible for women equestrians.
I have incredible respect for every equine discipline. I appreciate the elegance and the beauty of the application of fundamental horsemanship skills to different styles of riding.
One of my favorites is dressage. In this discipline they have the "Training Scale" which is depicted in the image above.
Notice that rhythm is at the very foundation, the base of the pyramid. The dictionary defines rhythm as the "movement or procedure with uniform or patterned, recurrence of a beat, accent, or the like".
www.barbraschulte.com
Sometimes the most powerful ideas are contained in the simplest of packages. A great example of a simple concept for riding that packs a great effect is seeking rhythm in all you do on your horse.
So often as a rider or as a coach, we get so caught up in the mechanics (which are absolutely necessary, of course) that we lose sight of putting those mechanics in a rhythm. Just by focusing on executing the mechanics in a rhythmic way, we can often solve our riding challenges.
A great learning strategy is to feel the rhythm of whatever is desired in an exaggerated and slowed down way. When you do this, incorrect cues and erratic results don't get out of hand. You can feel exactly where the move is out of rhythm and therein you will find the exact spot of the needed correction.
When a rhythm is identified, then you can seek to keep the duration, and the distance and the beat of a move in a flowing, seamless harmony.
Keep rhythm in mind for all you do ... seek it as its own goal. You will find yourself allowing your horse to do his job. You will relax into the rhythm. You won't tend to be ahead of or behind the beauty and grace of your maneuver.