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The Rhythm of Riding

Human Anatomy Part III

In addition to determining position on a saddle (which can be counteracted to a certain degree in the design of the saddle), the conformation of the pelvis can also impact the rhythm of the horse in movement - as well as affecting the harmony between horse and rider!

Normally, the horse’s trot is rhythmical like a metronome:
1 – 2, 1 – 2, 1 - 2, 1 – 2, 1 - 2.
However, when a rider has a collapsed pelvis, it will be impossible for her to absorb the horse’s energy and effectively use the stomach muscles. This will cause a loss of balance, and an inability to achieve this inherent rhythm. This results in:
1 - 2 2, 1 - 2 2, 1 -2 2, 1 - 2 2,
where:
 1 is the upward motion of the horse
 1st 2 is the horse returning
 2nd 2 is the rider returning

The double bump. Horses hate it. In fact, the horse will change his frame to accommodate the pain that results from the rider sitting on his back. This is accomplished by working in a long frame, or being "out behind". The horse is adjusting his frame to allow for the longer interval of time required to achieve balance. This is counter-productive, and exactly what you don’t want to see happen, especially in dressage.

To allow the woman with a hyper-extended hip to achieve the proper position, the saddle has to be made to compensate for the position of that rider. It has to allow the rider to sit with her pelvis in the natural position, thus allowing for balance, position, and a secure foundation. This is accomplished by adjusting the position of the pommel, stirrup bars, and actually altering the saddle’s tree to accommodate this type of frame. Now the rider is sitting vertically, hip travel is minimal, use of stomach and back muscles is complementary and interactive, and rider and horse are relaxed. The legs will be in their natural position with respect to hip articulation, and shoulders will be back to achieve natural balance. Now the rhythm will be:
1 – 2, 1 – 2, 1 – 2, 1 - 2.
The rider, with the reduced time interval in the rising trot – because of the properly fitted saddle – can now accommodate the horse’s rhythm.

Another interesting anomaly occurs in the horse that is in the long frame, or working out behind. When the rider's interval of time for hip travel is reduced, and it is the horse that that has the longer path to travel, the rhythm will result in:
1 - 2 2, 1 - 2 2, 1 - 2 2, 1 - 2 2.
Look familiar?
However, this time:
 1 is the horse rising
 1st 2 is the rider returning
 2nd 2 is the horse returning

Notice that the 2’s here are the opposite of the first example. Here again, the horse is not going to be very happy. However, by adjusting his frame for the rhythm of the rider, the horse is placing himself in a shorter and stronger frame. This shortening of the frame is an essential step towards the collection of a horse. The above step causes the horse to rotate from the bottom of his hip, or make him step under himself, versus rotate from the top of his hip, or behind himself. Once this step is accomplished for the horse in a long frame, the duration will need to be increased or animated in order to promote impulsion or upward movement.