Biomechanics Consultation & Lessons
From Lessons Providing a Strong Foundation for Most Disciplines to Biomechanics Consultation
Biomechanics Consultation
Biomechanics literally means the mechanics of biology. Riding a horse is a dance and we are leading. How we move our body directly affects our horses and their performance. Whether we're in a competition or show or just trail riding, how we ride is an important factor in helping them use their bodies correctly and avoid discomfort and injury.
A common example of correct biomechanics is the common knowledge that we are less likely to hurt our back if we squat down and use our leg muscles to pick up something heavy than we are if we bend over at the waist and pick up
something heavy using our lower back muscles.
Horses require the same thoughtfulness when it comes to riding them. It is not natural for them to carry a person sitting on their back and they need to adjust how they use their body when they walk, trot, canter and gallop when a person is sitting on their back.
You may have seen horse races where jockies are basically standing and balancing on the horse's back - that is so that the horse can run in the most natural way possible. As soon as the jockey sits on the horse's back the weight distribution changes and the horse now needs to adjust the propulsion of their weight back to their hind end, instead of pulling themselves forward on the forehand. If they don't do that, eventually they're going to strain their neck and back muscles just as we would picking up something heavy incorrectly.
Biomechanics consultations can help you better use your body to help lead your horse to use their body correctly under saddle so that they are more comfortable, stronger and can be ridden much longer without the threat of injuries that come from poor body mechanics.
We all have places we are unbalanced, a shoulder dropping or a pelvic twist we're unaware of, especially as we get older or have past injuries affecting us. Having trained eyes on the ground can help us recognize these patterns and I can help you find ways to correct them in order to improve your horse's comfort and performance.
$80 for 1 hour session.
I will travel anywhere within an hour of Freeport, FL
Lessons
Lessons focus on a solid foundation in riding and horsemanship which can be carried into any discipline from dressage, jumping to Western Gaming, along with Coaching in Dressage up to 2nd level.
Influences in my education include Andreas Hausberger - former head of the Spanish Riding School, Buck Brannaman, Peggy Cummins, Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujadin, and Gerd Heuschmann. I have been fortunate to meet many in that list and in some cases even had the opportunity to talk one on one.
I am a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and work part-time at Westonwood Ranch in Freeport and Grace Rides in Defuniak Springs. For private lessons outside those centers I am insured to work with able-bodied and neurotypical students. I coach up to 2nd level dressage and also work with people on taking their horses back to a more solid foundation if they're struggling in their rides. I will hop on your horse if you want during your lessons but I'm too old and broken to start horses or do primarily training rides these days.
$70 for a 1 hour lesson on your horse.
I do not currently have lesson horses but will hopefully in the near future.
