Riding like a monkey!

[brigadier]

Just to clear up any confusion as to why and how- here is the definitive guide to riding APE!

Why
to help the horse use his back and engage his hocks. relaxes the horse and lets him go forwards, useful for warming up or de- stressing, helps the horse understand working round and in a long and low outline. Helps the riders balance, back strength and stops them fiddling with the contact.

How
Once you have done your walk work- or even if the horse is simply too fizzy to walk- put your stirrups up a couple of notches, ask for trot and let your hands come wide and low down the sides of the horses neck/shoulders (not knees- this is too far back and the rein aids get confusing), get your bum out of the saddle and maintain the trot with your calves cuddling the horse, let the trot develop so that you can really feel the horse working through. This is really tiring for you but bliss for the horse. Once you get the rhythm and balance incorporate figures of eight and serpentines. Dont worry if the pace is fast- thats great as long as the head is down and the back relaxed- DONT HANG ONTO THE BIT_ BALANCE!

Once your horse is relaxing and coming soft you can return to rising trot- in the conventional position and the horse should maintain that power and freedom of movement that you achieved when APE, This is the feeling you need from trot!

Please dont confuse this technique as a cheat to getting the horse on the bit- its not- you are encouraging the horse to use his hocks powerfully and allowing the movement to come through his back and into your hand- once he learns the feeling he will enjoy it and so will you.

[spotti]

I tried that with Faith last time I rode her and it really does work. She moved so much more freely and her trot became more balanced and less rushed...it would have worked wonders if I hadn't kept tipping forwards and collapsing on her neck! *cue more work on my balance and building up my leg muscles*

[kateflashy]

i do that alot not cos ive been told what you just said but its comes as a combination of race riding with bum out saddle in trot and and i always ride with my hands wide and low ,

[brigadier]

Spotti- the balance is the key but like all things practice makes perfect.

Kate- I was first shown to do it on my first horse who with retrospect had hock problems I believe, it was done as a cheat to get him on the bit but I developed it to work with young or spoilt horses and as you say- a cross between a jockey and using the hands in this position to encourage forward movement. Its great for big strong horses that tank off- as you can actually push them into the contact rather than pull them back and it relaxes them! also good for babies as it helps them develop.

[kateflashy]

just watching the europeans and they do ride in a simerler way , keeping wieght out saddle and hands low, probley why they always win loads

[Blonde Donkey]

i did this with brax earlier and she did it for so long then decided to overbend - that was how she was broken in.
gonna keep practicsing adn gonna do it on savs

[brigadier]

No problem with them overbending as long as they are powering from behind! they are stretching their topline so can go as long and as deep as they like, as long as when you start rising and sitting up they raise their poll more then its worked fine!

[duckles]

Very interesting post. Often get off the saddle at start of trotting or cantering to loosen up but not in such an organised way. Will start now! I've always found riding out of the saddle - wheter standing or jockey- really helps calves and often helps straightness in saddle (i have loads of problems!) I'm quessing keeping the hands still in the position may be the hardest ( In my version, its just loose rein). Thanks Suzi and Brig, I love these kinds of threads

[brigadier]

Youre welcome! It does take a bit of practice with the hands but you could bridge your reins and then rest them either side of the withers to keep them constant! You are right about the calves though- mine are big enough already but they dont half ache when Ive done this- also the small of my back, I also find it easier on chunky horses- my legs wobble a bit on skinny ones!

[kateflashy]

the secret to balance is pull your knees forward and put your weight in them rather then your heels as your head is the heaviest part of your body you automaticaly tip forward so with wieght in heels makes you lean back then you loose balance if your wieghts in your knees you stay tipped slightly forward and stay in posistion

[suzii]

the ride like a monkey thing deffo does work.

It deffo got his attention when I did it the other day but he would completely lose it when I went into rising trot. He must have been hanging on the rein or something?

I told my instructer about it and she said although it does work, with some horses you then have to do it all the time.

Maybe I was doing it wrong when I demonstated to her?

[brigadier]

sorry suzii but i disagree with your instructor providing the horse doesnt have a bad back then theres no reason the horse wont continue to do it in rising once he learns the feel- the secret is to let the horse relax and enjoy! This takes patience.
brig

[suzii]

okay - don't apologize! I think I did it wrong anyway!

[suzii]

brig I keep meaning to put up a vid of me and sprite - i would love your opinion!

[brigadier]

Do
Maxie does a mean critique too- cant help to have lots of opinions then you can sift out the bits you need!

[suzii]

indeed! And I also want to show everyone my lovely horsey ;D I have a rubbish one - might put that up or might take more soon!

[brigadier]

ok ill look out for it- did you get my reply about the green lunge line?

[suzii]

noo? is it on gear board? *tottles of to look*

[suzii]

have PMed you! Thank you soooo much ;D .