Basic Balancing Exercise For A Very Green Horse - May 2017
36m
Watch as Karen coaches a student on a very green 4 year old mare. She seems reactive and impulsive under saddle, but Karen doesn't think it is an emotional issue as much as a balance issue. Young horses like this don't have a lot of communications in place, so it is important to find a very quiet way to influence them to change their bodies without confusing them and making them more tense.
You will see the process of her finding more balance and harmony in her own movement, and learning that the rider is there to help. Karen wanted you to see how the process is often slow, but can still lead to big changes. You will see the horse change from moving tightly, tensely and erratically, giving the rider a very uncomfortable feeling, to moving with relaxation and rhythm where the rider feels comfortable to let the reins go.
This is a very interesting video to see how Karen decides to treat it like a balance issue instead of a mental emotional issue. (Riding 36 min)