In Resistance Free&tm; Riding we use the "ripple effect".
This refers to the feeling of rhythm and movement coming
up from the horse through the rider's body. The "ripple
effect" is generated by the impact of the horse's hooves
hitting the ground, which creates a rebound effect like
that of a basketball hitting the floor and bouncing back
up to you. Of course, working with the horse, this is a
much more subtle movement. Different gaits have different
"ripple effects". The walk is the most grounded and the
lope or canter is the most rhythmic because there is a significant
period of suspension in the beats. Your horse uses this
rebound effect to make his own movement easier.
The walk requires the horse to physically lift each leg
and put it down. This gaits lack of speed and spring keeps
the horse's legs from creating much of a rebound effect.
At the trot, the horse bounces from one pair of legs to
the other, with a period of suspension in between. The horse
can derive a "coasting effect" from the rebound. It's like
when you are running downhill. Once you get started, you
can keep going with little effect.
You can really see the "ripple effect" in a kangaroo.
It is almost effortless for a kangaroo to bound along, but
very awkward for him to try and walk with individual steps.
In contrast, when a kangaroo jumps, his long hind legs compress
during the landing from each leap and launch the animal
into the next movement. The horse operates in a similar
manner, but not nearly as efficiently. Luckily, the horse's
differences make him a much softer animal to ride than a
kangaroo.
A rider who understands the "ripple effect" and how to
use it will feel a connection of oneness with every horse
they ride. Mastering this will give you a command of the
rhythm and timing necessary to achieve maximum performance.
Here are five ways to develop the feel and connection
through my Resistance Free&tm; Riding methods and remember
that I show you in a step by step process how to do this
in my Resistance Free&tm; video series.
1. Try to ride without your stirrups or irons. This will
concentrate the energy through your seat bones. It is much
like an electrical plug in. Your seat bones are like the
prongs on the plug. When both are evenly connected to the
socket you have balanced energy.
2. Try sitting the trot for five strides and then posting
for five strides. The two beat gait of the trot will give
you an even, steady rhythm. By sitting the trot and then
posting, it will draw the energy from the "ripple effect".
This will make it go from a mild to a stronger pulse of
rhythm.
3. Try closing your eyes for a few strides and count out
loud the beat of your horse's gait. This will draw a feel
for the energy and rhythm.
4. In my videos and books I show you several drills and
exercises you can do when riding your horse. I call it "building
muscle memory". All sports athletes work on this. You simply
teach your muscles to react automatically with mental thoughts.
By programming your horse's rhythm into your body, you make
it impossible to ride out of rhythm or to bounce with resistance.
5. Try riding to music. I like to use music not only for
you but it helps your horse pick up and work on their cadence.
When you are both in the same cadence and rhythm you have
total Resistance Free&tm; riding. You will become one with
your horse.
May you always ride a good horse.........Richard Shrake
