Commandant Jean Licart, "Basic Equitation".
Flexibility
It does not
take a genius to recognize that a stiff body on top of a moving or
bouncing body will cause jarring and banging. The human body enjoys
natural flexibility and elasticity that allows it to act as a shock
absorber and move in union with the horse. The motion of a horse in trot
can throw about a rider who has locked his hip and back muscles, causing
uncomfortable bumping against the saddle. By combining the flexibility
concept with the principle of Jean Licart, one can reach the conclusion
that total union with the horse can only be achieved through the
separation of motion between the pelvis and the trunk.
To explain
this further, a rider should remain upright with his shoulders square and
his back straight, and allow his lower back and hips to move in collision
with the horse, thereby separating the upper back from the pelvis, and
achieving a still, quiet seat in the saddle.
The
Pelvis
The
distribution of muscles in the lower back allow the pelvis to rotate and
absorb the motion of the horse. By stretching and contracting these
muscles, the pelvis can acquire the proper angles as the horse moves. When
you flatten your back, you're stretching your back muscles and rotating
the pelvis to a backward tilt. However, this should not be confused with
the upright position in the saddle since the pelvis naturally stands at
0º. Also by exaggerating the curve in the lower back, you're contracting
your muscles, and tilting the pelvis in a more forward position.
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Sitting properly to the trot will give this concept a better meaning.
As the horse steps underneath himself, you are pushed upwards (shock
absorption in the lower back and pelvis will contract the muscles;
then to absorb the downward drop, the muscles will stretch, allowing
the pelvis to rotate backwards, thereby flattening the back.)
Although it may take
time before sitting classically to the bouncy gaits is perfected, it
does not take any strenuous effort. What needs to be learned is the
relaxation in the pelvis and the lower back muscles. Once relaxation
is achieved, the pelvis will move naturally and absorb the motion of
the horse, letting the horse and rider appear as though they have
become one body.
"If the rider is
able to sit in balance with his seat bones well underneath him and his
upper body in correct alignment over his hips, the pliancy of the
spine in the loin area will allow him to remain as though glued to the
saddle."
Sylvia Loch, "The
Classical Seat" |
The
abdominal muscles are attached to the pelvis, therefore tensing these
muscles will drive the pelvis out of its natural tilt. By keeping the
abdominal muscles relaxed, the pelvis can move freely. With the horse
stationary, the pelvis should be at its natural 0º tilt. In the forward,
bouncy gaits, such as the medium trot, it is helpful to tilt the pelvis
slightly backwards to aid in sitting deeply into the saddle. In collected
gaits, some riders prefer to accent the curve in the small of their backs,
rotating the pelvis slightly forward and shifting the weight from the seat
bones to the fork.
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