KINETICS
The slightly different way to success…
A smooth riders’ seat and sensitive aids to the horse are the basis for the desired harmonic dialog between horse and rider. This is often disrupted by various deficits of the rider. Even slight hardening of the rider’s muscles can provoke undesired reactions of the horse, although the rider actually wants to do everything correctly. These muscle hardenings may have physical or emotional reasons. Kinetics as taught by sport educator Eckart Meyers aim on improving the rider’s coordination, his balance and the his mobility, based on classical riding instruction principles. The exercises to be performed during these training units help the rider to find a comfortable seat position in the saddle and help to give effective aids. Eckart Meyners has spent more than 30 years studying riding kinetics and is an internationally acknowledged expert.
FOR A BETTER BALANCE…
Training processes
Once the source of the rider’s lack of mobility has been found, special exercises of the Meyners concept can improve the rider’s abilities in a way that an undisturbed dialog between horse and rider becomes possible. In this case, dialog refers to the communication between the bodies of rider and horse. Here, the word ‘dialog’ is used as a metaphor (an image) for the mental analysis. The seminars, which consist of theoretical and practical lessons, cover the basic problems in a 6-step program with and without horse. This provides a guideline for the schooling of the rider’s seat. The deficits of each participant are analyzed and dealt with individually (approx. 45 to 60 min. per participant). The main areas to be covered are:
- Head and neck area
- Chest and breast bone
- Muscle and tendon reflexes
- Sacro-iliac joint
- Mobility of the pelvis and other large joints
- Cross-coordination (diagonal aids)
InnerhalWithin a very short time, these areas can positively influence the rider’s seat and his kinesthesia. Typical malpositions of the rider’s seat are, for example, a round or hollow back. Both positions can strain and damage the spine in the head and neck area, as well as in the lower back area, if they are not corrected quickly. These malpositions can be painful for the horse which subesequently may lead to problems between rider and horse. By using the mobility chair BALIMO ®, which was especially designed by Eckart Meyners, the rider finds out quickly how easy it can be to improve composure, seat and therefore also his influence on the horse.
Part of the practical units on the horse are exercises that affect the above mentioned main areas. These exercises have been slightly modified for being used on a horse instead of on the ground. On the horse, several flexibility exercises are performed.
BETWEEN RIDER AND HORSE
Effects
This mobility training is particularly effective for competitive riders and sometimes it has amazing effects and results in better performances at shows. Often, a dressage rider (for example) will notice that his horse only does perfect flying changes on one hand, or only does all movements correctly in an indoor arena. A jumping horse might not always succeed to jump with sufficient width, which causes mistakes. These typical deficits are mainly caused by inaccurate weight shifts of the rider and can be much improved by specific mobility training.
CROWNED WITH SUCCESS
The results of this training concept speak for themselves. Many riders notice that they can use their weight better, sit better and give more precise aids. Several top riders, such as Heike Kemmer (team world champion and Olympic gold medalist) integrate kinetics into their training concept.
