Western Horseback Riding

Riding a horse in the western style takes balance and fluidity between all of the parts of the body. An ideal rider will have perfect control of his feet, ankles, legs, seat bones, hips, back, head, arms and hands at all times. He will not only be able to sit correctly on a horse, but he will be able to maintain the correct position throughout the different gaits while also giving and moving with the horse as if they were one. This balance and correctness is not easy to achieve. Fortunately it is not expected of the beginning rider, but it can and should be learned.

If the position of the seat bones can be mastered the rest will be relatively easy to achieve. There are three positions the western rider should know. The first is the normal seat, which is also a neutral position. In this position your weight should be evenly distributed between your buttocks and your crotch. The next position is the forward seat. The forward seat is where you tilt your pelvis forward a little. Part of your weight will rest on your inner thighs. Try to concentrate on keeping the inner thigh above the knee next to the saddle, don’t lose contact with it. The third position is the deep seat. For this position you will rock your pelvis back so that you are positioned between your seat bones and your tailbone. Practice this seat by starting in the normal position and then flexing your abdomen muscles hard. Relax your muscles but don’t change your position, that is the deep seat.

Most of the time you will ride in the normal seat. You will move to the forward position anytime your horse shifts his weight forward, such as when you go downhill. The deep seat is used in many training purposes to get the horse's attention. One example is if you are about to cue a stop you would first shift your weight to the deep seat and then cue, this lets the horse know what you are going to do before hand.

Your heel should always be down with the ball of your foot setting on the stirrup. The calf should be long and knees relaxed. The ankles, knees and hips will act as your shock absorbers, so keep them loose, but controlled. Your back should be straight but not rigid. From the waist down your back should be flexible so that it can move with the horse. This will give the look of fluidity. From the waste up your back and neck should remain straight. This will keep your head level even when the horse is making slight up and down movements, because the lower back, hips, knees and ankles will absorb these.

When riding at any gate your eyes and hence your head should always face forward when going straight. If you are going to turn, your eyes and head should turn first before you are even to the turning point. By looking where you are going to go your body will make any corrections for you and the horse to get you both there.

Your arms to the elbows should be at your sides, not sticking out like chicken wings. The right hand should rest on your thigh, while the left hand holds the reins. The hand should be held just in front of the horn. The hand wrist and forearm should be straight.

These are the basic positions for walking, jogging and cantering. The important thing to remember is to stay with the horse. Let your body adjust to the horses every movement and you will perform like one, in the arena or out on the trial. You will reach the goal of perfect balance and fluidity.

English Riding - English riding is a term used in the United States to describe a form of horseback riding that is seen throughout the world. There are many variations in English riding, but all feature a flat English saddle without the deep seat, high cantle or saddle horn seen on a Western saddle nor the "poleys" seen on an Australian Stock Saddle. Saddles within the various English disciplines are all designed to allow the horse the freedom to move in the most optimal manner for a given task, ranging from Classical dressage to horse racing. English bridles also vary in style based on discipline, but most feature some type of cavesson noseband as well as closed reins, buckled together at the ends, that prevent them from dropping on the ground if a rider becomes unseated. Clothing for riders in competition is usually based on traditional needs from which a specific style of riding developed, but most standards require, as a minimum, boots; breeches or jodhpurs; a shirt with some form of tie; a hat, cap, or equestrian helmet; and a jacket.

English riding is an equestrian discipline with many different styles. For further information, follow the wiki links to the articles on each type of riding listed below.

Assisted learning and therapeutic purposes

See also: Hippotherapy, Therapeutic horseback riding, and Equine Assisted Learning

People with disabilities obtain beneficial results from association with horses. The movement of a horse strengthens muscles throughout a rider's body and promotes better overall health. In many cases, riding has also led to increased mobility for the rider. Horses also provide psychological benefits to people whether they actually ride or not. The benefits of equestrian activity for people with disabilities has also been recognized with the addition of equestrian events to the Paralympic Games and recognition of para-equestrian events by the FEI.

Hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding are names for different physical, occupational and speech therapy treatment strategies that utilize equine movement. In the hippotherapy environment, a therapist uses the horse's movement to provide carefully graded sensory input, whereas therapeutic horseback riding uses specific riding skills.

"Equine-assisted" or "equine-facilitated" psychotherapy uses horses as companion animals to assist people with psychological problems. Actual practices vary widely due to the newness of the field; some programs include Therapeutic Horseback Riding and hippotherapy. Non-riding therapies simply encourage a person to touch, speak to and otherwise interact with the horse. People appear to benefit from being able to be around a horse; horses are very sensitive to non-verbal communication and are an ideal resource for working with individuals who have "tuned out" human therapists.[citation needed]

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), Equine guided education, or equine assisted professional development, is another relatively new field of experiential learning for corporate, professional and personal development. There also have been experimental programs using horses in prison settings. Exposure to horses appears to improve the behavior of inmates in a prison setting and help reduce recidivism when they leave. A correctional facility in Nevada has a successful program where inmates learn to train young mustangs captured off the range in order to make it more likely that these horses will find adoptive homes. Both adult and juvenile prisons in New York, Florida, and Kentucky work in cooperation with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to re-train former racehorses as pleasure mounts and find them new homes.[citation needed] Horses are also used in camps and programs for young people with emotional difficulties.

www.newhorse.com
www.horse-riding.net/horseback-riding/Florida
www.funandsun.com/1tocf/amusf/horsetail.html
www.horserentals.com/florida.html
www.floridasmart.com/sciencenature
www.horseworldstables.com/
www.floridahorse.com/academies.html
www.bar-b-ranch.com/
www.floridaparks.com/floridahorsebackriding
www.grandcypress.com/equestrian

1. "My daughter Sienna has benefited so much from her horseback riding lessons and experiences under the instruction of Erica Lucas. My daughter has gained self confidence, self esteem and has learned to form bonds of respect and admiration for the beautiful horses that she has grown to love. Her experiences with the riding academy has made her a better person, student, and friend. She tries harder now and knows that everything takes patience, practice and passion in order to succeed. I feel very fortunate that my daughter has been able to be part of such a wonderful place."

2. "Finding New Spirit Farm has had such a positive influence in our daughters life. Corinne had always been a shy child with little self confidence. She had expressed an interest in horse back riding and we began our search. I made the phone call to Erica and she was so enthusiastic about her program and all she had to offer. Within a few weeks of lessons, Corinne could not stop talking about her riding. Erica lets her students go at their own pace with no pressure. When Corinne expressed that she was ready to learn more, Erica has always been there, encouraging and supporting her. I would stay and watch her and was so happy to see that not only did Erica give her instruction on how to ride and control a horse, she gave her the confidence though the instruction that Corinne has now been able to apply in her home and personal life as well. Corinne now enjoys her lessons as well as the friendships she has made. She loves to volunteer on the weekends and help take care of “her” horses!!" 3. "I have had the absolute pleasure of bringing my children to ride horses at New Spirit Farm. It has become a little piece of heaven for my family. Erica Lucas, the instructor, provides the children with an absolutely enriching experience. My 7 year old son Ethan, who has cerebral palsy and autism benefits immensely from therapeutic horse back riding. I already see improvements in his sense of balance and his gait when he walks in his walker. My daughters faces beam when they are riding horses. I think their self confidence jumped ten-fold in the short time that we have been involved with New Spirit Farm. Erica has created a wonderful environment for the children."

4. "It is with great honor and delight that I write this letter of support for the funding of New Spirit Farm in Lake Worth, Florida. I met its executive director and trainer Erica Lucas when I was in graduate school in Ohio over 30 years ago. Even back then, I found Erica to be sincere and directed in ensuring that a task would be done correctly. I remember Erica as having has an outgoing personality topped with a sharp wit and a keen sense of humor. Her logical mind and strong reasoning capabilities always made her well-respected among our peers, often acting as our “voice” or our “conscience” . Erica was always enjoyed for her intellect as well as her social graces. Besides being a Biology professor, I also own a farm in Georgia, and assist one Saturday a month at a therapeutic riding program called “Driving Magic”. Helping these children is also very rewarding for both my wife and me. Thus, I fully understand the need for programs such as the one Erica has started because we are part of one. New Spirit Farm is innovative in its devotion to providing high risk children a refuge that allows them with healthy recreational activities away from the lure of drugs or violent street crime. It is a real delight to know that after all of these years, Erica is still assiduously dedicated not only to her students, but the community as well. There is no question that a unique experience such as this is “tailor made” for funding and needs your support."

Dr. Robert H. Wainberg

Professor of Biology

Piedmont College, GA

5. "It wasn't’t until early last year that I started seeing my daughter Brittany again on a regular basis after she had decided to live with her father and grandmother in 2005, after a long separation and battle over custody with my husband. As we know, in these situations the children are the ones most affected.

While driving one afternoon, Brittany and I saw your advertisement for horseback riding. I was very skeptical about calling because I know how expensive riding lessons can be and thought this was not affordable. After considering all the horrible fighting and anger Brittany had been subjected to in the past years, I decided to call you and make an appointment.

Brittany was twelve years old at the time and seemed to be losing the ability to trust people, even her family and friends. She was very shy in front of strangers and avoided the truth whenever possible. Brittany was falling behind in school and it did not seem to matter. 

I remember the first day we came to your farm. I was very impressed with you, the horses and the other children. That night driving home Brittany did not stop talking about the horse she had ridden (“Shine”) and how much she liked Ms. Erica.

Brittany has been riding now for a little over a year. She has confidence, self esteem and a loving nature. Her love for the horses has inspired a greater love and kindness for everyone she meets. Brittany has just started the school year and is doing wonderful. She shows an interest in learning, rather than just getting through the school day.

The time and energy you put forth is amazing. Not only do you teach the children how to ride horses, but you teach them how to care for the horse and the necessary steps to be able to tack and saddle their horse before riding. This gives them a greater respect and knowledge of riding. You teach them how to be independent people and yet at the same time they are always willing to help a younger less experienced rider. I think it’s great that you allow the children to choose which horse they want to ride, even if it is the same horse every week. This gives them the opportunity to take care of and really get to know the horse as if it were their own.

I want to thank you for opening your home to Brittany and letting her stay on the weekends over these past couple of months. I think it is wonderful that you let the children help out on the farm and in return give them free helper rides. This shows them that a little hard work can bring many rewards.

Brittany is now living back with me permanently by her choice. This is due to the fact that her father moved back into his own house last April and has showed little interest in shared parental custody. He has not seen her since mid May and cancels every time they make a date to spend time together. I know this hurts Brittany, but because of you and your farm she keeps her senses and looks forward to a rich, fun filled and fulfilling life.

I love Brittany very much and truly believe that finding you and the farm turned her life around in a positive direction. I also believe that the money I can afford to pay for all your efforts all goes to maintaining the farm and caring for the horses. 

Please never stop caring about the children. There are so many children that could benefit just by being at your farm for one day. I really believe that one week at your farm could replace months of conventional therapy for children with emotional or other problems."

Brittany and I will be forever grateful.

Sincerely yours,

Janet Hardwicke 

6. I wanted to thank you for the wonderful experience that you provided to Dominic and Olivia at New Spirit Farm. Your kind, patient teaching style combined with your fantastic “you can do it” attitude helped them learn more in a few days than they would have in weeks with another instructor. They truly blossomed under your guidance and have come to really love being around horses.

Finding New Spirit Farm was a real stroke of luck for us and we are very happy that you so willingly let us become a part of your special extended family. As you learned during our visits, Dominic and Olivia’s mother, Angela, suffers from MS and can no longer walk or care for herself. What’s really great is that Angela used to enjoy riding horses and Dominic and Olivia now feel a special connection with their mother since they started riding at New Spirit Farm.

What’s also wonderful is the atmosphere you’ve developed among your students – anyone observing “your kids” can see how much they look out for one another and pitch in to help in whatever way they can. You have really developed something special at New Spirit Farm and I wish you continued success.

Thank you so much for everything,

Todd J. Robinson

7. We wanted to thank Miss Erica for the kind guidance and instruction provided to Hailey our 4 year old and Joshua our 2 year old at New Spirit Farm. Your teaching style and positive attitude have helped them learn confidence and proper behavior in the ring and in the stable. They both now have English and Western riding experience with
ponys and full size horses.

They have always loved being around horses and now I am sure it will be a life long interest.

Thank You ,

Jack & Samantha Tedeschi * Palm Beach Gardens, FL

8.   When you visit New Spirit Farm, you enter into a world all of its own.  You find young people taking responsibility not only for the horses but also for one another.  They each seem to know what has to be done and they do it so caringly and without being told.  Ms. Erica is always present giving confirmation and affirmation.

You will find the more experienced young people helping the new-comer saddle up, always instructing as they go along.  There will be others checking and cleaning the horses hoofs; others are shampooing their horse after they have ridden him.  Ms. Erica has taken the term "responsibility" and made it into fun.

Ms. Erica opens her home to these young people.  She has created a "safe place" where the pressures and concerns of life can be put on hold if for just a little while.  It takes a very special individual to create the peaceful atmosphere found at New Spirit Farm and to be able to convey to each young person they are important.  I am forever grateful for the part Ms. Erica has played in helping my granddaughter through a very difficult time in her life.

With gratefulness,

Bev Driesbaugh