Applying Mark Rashids Aikido To the Oz

[Elaine]

Back at home so hopped on Oz bareback to try out a few things from Mark Rashid's "Aikido for Horsemanship" clinic. There was no planning, I didn’t read my notes, I just thought I’d scoot out and see what had stuck in my head. The sunshine was bouncing off the grass and it was like the middle of July in our field

My focus today was breathing, grounding and centering... (one side result was that bareback was sooo much more comfortable today!), using my weight and whole body (including never looking at Oz’s head!) to do turns and straight lines, and then really concentrating on what Oz felt like and where all his legs and weight were and harnessing them.... the result.... AN AWESOME soft ride... Oz was very happy, soft and willing throughout.

And it’s really weird..... I’m back in now at my computer but my whole body feels so soft and relaxed and grounded. I’m usually very happy after I ride but this “physical softness” is a new thing! I wonder if Oz feels the same way...

(Next ride I’m going to continue the breathing & grounding, and also be more aware that I need to move my core first and relax everything else...)

[Elaine]

Day 2 - Hopped up bareback in the field with a gale blowing.

Another gorgeous ride!!

Started up standing still and I spent a few minutes on my breathing, centering and grounding. Horse was totally relaxed.

Then while standing still, I played with turning my core right and left..... this resulted in Oz changing what hind foot he was resting

Then off we went.. again I focused on

1) look where I wanted to go, not at Ozs head
2) breathing and staying grounded *my center of gravity felt like it was in my knees!!
3) feeling everything

Got circles and turns from moving my core and putting more weight on one side of Oz... magic

Got stops from just thinking about them.

In walk on a straight line, I focused on 1 front foot and thought about helping it to step a little to the outside... BINGO

Same on the near fore..

Then played about thinking about off hind.. could I help it to step under? yes, the horse started to turn right....

Blown away by my horse, then a tractor went past... didn't bat an eye (historically Oz likes to use a distraction for his own means) but he was just happy and chilled out to be with me.

Awesome horse, awesome ride.

And yes, again back at my computer I feel very mellow and relaxed after it all!