Freestyle requires mental, emotional, and physical fitness and organization
It's very natural for horses to follow a trail, so use this instinct to create follow the rail
Make it a game - don't make me use my legs/stick/reins to put you back on the rail
Follow the rail helps give the horse responsibility
Know the tracks - the closest to the rail is the first track, the horse must be on the first track to really understand how to follow the rail
To signal a turn pick up your reins (don't pull) then use eyes, belly button, legs, then rein or stick - remember when you use your body to move your shoulders too!
Freestyle is about following a feeling/intention (driving game)
Horse should maintain gait, maintain direction, look where he's going, and act like a partner (not a prey animal)
Freestyle is about getting in harmony with the horse and developing an independent seat
Freestyle gives us the ability to feel what the horse is thinking/feeling more
Bowtie - use indirect rein to the inside to go from canter to walk, release and then go out the other direction using a direct rein and a 'tickle' with the outside hand
Redirect too much energy into a circle rather than shutting the horse down as you move into/through L3
Get high into the corners, practice stopping from corner to corner to keep horse on the rail and making full corners rather than falling to the inside
Cloverleaf pattern - a series of one direction turn at the half way point down each rail, helps with impulsion
Good for long horses as it has lots of bends and turns
Good for short horses as it has lots of straight lines
It's always a game of balance and counter balance - mix and match your games and patterns (corners, cloverleaf) to keep your horse focused and interested
The reason we use the Carrot Stick is to become a long bodied animal like the horse, it's more natural to push the horse around than to pull him around
Begin Carrot Stick riding by asking for:
Lateral Flexion
Disengagement
Move The Front End
If things get out of control with the Carrot Stick DROP IT and use your REINS, don't bat him around in the face or let things get unsafe - take it easy, take it slow, start with the basics
Practice following the rail then push his nose over to slow or stop him just as you would when you bend the horse toward the rail with the rein to slow him down
Seek relaxation in this level, stick with it until you get mental, emotional, and physical changes
Be patient
Be persistent
Only stop when the horse really feels under control (rhythm, relaxation, connection)
Ride the outside of the horse with the stick and the inside of the horse with the reins
Get handy with the stick (skill drills), toss it, swing it, helicopter it at the halt, walk, trot
Try standing at the trot, sitting at the trot, posting, and a combination thereof
Think about posting as rising off your horse not coming down into/against the saddle
Posting - rise and fall with the shoulder on the wall
It's important to post on the correct diagonal so you're weight is correct for canter departs
Horses are motivated by safety, comfort, and play
Freestyle Patterns/Games: Corners, Bow-tie, Cloverleaf, Follow the Rail, Circle the Barrel (let it simulate human)