December
4
Beginner Riding Lesson – Seatwork on the Lunge, Learning How to Post
9 year old Merrit practices seatwork on the lunge and rides at the trot off the lunge for the first time on Molly. Here are the movements we do to challenge the rider’s balance:
Kick down left, right, both
Kick up and touch your toe left, right
Fix your seat (lean back, lift your knees, and pull yourself back up to the pommel of the saddle)
Pet the horse down the neck with your left hand, then right
Put your hand on the horse’s rump, twist and look over your shoulder, do both sides
Lay back as far back on the horse as you can
Arch up (put your hand on the rump, like doing a bridge on the horse)
Circle your arm like a back stroke, left and right
Touch your left heel, right heel, both heels
Frog on a Rocket (bring your heels up so you are in a kneeling position, put your hands out flat against the horse as far forward as they can go, lean down to the neck)
Pretend you’re holding a stick with two hands…
Make a forward circle, a backward circle
Pass the stick behind your back
Behind your neck
Over each shoulder
Under each leg
Point the stick towards the horse’s inside shoulder
Without changing hands, point the stick towards the horse’s outside hip
Outside shoulder
inside hip
…Then try the whole thing combining leg movements with pointing the stick to the shoulders/hips
These movements are really good for desensitizing the horse and strengthening the rider’s balance. The rider should hold the pommel whenever they are not moving their hands. These movements are intended to be distractions from sitting correctly. The rider should try to keep their seat moving with the horse even while they are doing the movements. If the horse speeds up or tries to come into the handler, it is likely that the rider has gotten stiff and her bouncing is scaring or upsetting the horse.
Duration : 0:5:18
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
yea the horse …
yea the horse proububy injoys being riden more without a piece of metal in his moth aswell! i loe your vidios! if i ever go to the states i will defenatly be going there!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thanks! That’s a …
Thanks! That’s a huge compliment. I like to ride without a bit because I’ve read a lot of studies about how bad they are for horse’s mouths. Plus, I’ve found most horses actually stop better without one. You can find some cool articles on Dr Cook’s Bitless Bridle site. I don’t even use a bitless because they have lever action, tightening around the nose when you pull, but some horses do well with them.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
wow! i which my …
wow! i which my riding school had as good riding instructers as you! what a great little pony! i have always wanted to ride without a bi! it seems more natural!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thanks! I would be …
Thanks! I would be happy to answer questions if you have any. I have a lot of other videos on my channel so you might find some other tips there, also.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I am a new riding …
I am a new riding my self at 40 plus years. I love your video, and your lesson. What great work you have done!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thats gret, i do …
Thats gret, i do sum of that stuff but not as much, lol
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Great work, Love …
Great work, Love that you are using TAG!
You should come to the TAGteach yahoo group and tell us about it! Lucky students!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thanks! It helps to …
Thanks! It helps to have great kids and a great pony
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
You are a great …
You are a great teacher, well done
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Sure thing! Thanks …
Sure thing! Thanks for your comment. We hope to start a dvd subscription soon since we’ve had so much interest in the kids/ponies videos
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
What a great video …
What a great video! THANKS FOR THE GREAT INFO!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thank you! Merritt …
Thank you! Merritt is super fun to teach.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Great video! I love …
Great video! I love that you are also using markers to capture correct behavior!
I’ll be sending a link to my sister who is a horse nut!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thanks for your …
Thanks for your comment! The seat work is super fun AND really helpful. I am really stoked on having it be a part of our lesson program.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I remember learning …
I remember learning to do a posting trot! And i also think it would have made me be a much better rider if my instructer had me do these games. they look like alot of fun. thanx again for such a great video!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thank you!
Thank you!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Great video! =D
Great video! =D
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
And thanks for …
And thanks for always being the first to comment and send encouraging words!
December 4th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Another AWESOME …
Another AWESOME video!! I learn soooo much from them!! Thanks again for posting such wonderful videos!!