Part 2 – Relaxation with Elasticity & Suppleness

In part 1, I described rhythm as the first step in the Training Pyramid of Dressage. I explained the hoof fall in the different gaits and how important rhythm is as the basis of the training of your horse.

The next building block is Suppleness & Relaxation. The same rule applies here; Practice Makes Perfect and a good coach on the ground will help you hind your shortcomings and work through them.

It is important to continually and gradually put a horse through a series of gymnastic exercises in his flatwork. This will not only quietly and gently supple the horse, but will increasingly engage the hind quarters as they build muscle, strength, and energy. This will result in bringing the horse more and more on the bit and ultimately result in collection.

This is not done overnight. A horse is an athlete. Just like you, when you start a sport or an exercise regime, you start slow. You jog 1 mile at first and work it up till you can run the marathon.  You stretch, a little at first, and become more limber when you keep it up. That is the same for the horse.

There are two types or suppleness for the horse: longitudinal and lateral.

Longitudinal suppleness is the looseness of the horse’s haunches, back, neck, poll, and jaw. The suppler a horse is longitudinal, the more adjustable he becomes in his length of stride while maintaining rhythm. We accomplish this through repeated changes in length of stride, forward and back while maintaining forward motion and rhythm.
Lateral suppleness is the degree to which a horse can ‘bend’ his body and neck around the circle. It really has more to do with balance than actual bend. A balanced horse learns to stay on a 20m circle without leaning his shoulder to the inside of the circle or swinging his haunches out. It is accomplished by lateral exercises including leg yields and shoulder-in. These types of exercises increase the flexibility and movement of the hocks, stifle, shoulder, back and neck.

There are many other exercises you can do to accomplish basic suppleness and balance. When done right, a rider can through repeated, appropriate work–accompanied by reward, never harshness and force–turn a stiff and uncooperative horse into a supple and obedient horse.

These exercises are simple, based on circles, turns, up- and down transitions, and lateral work. The more up- and down transitions you do, the more responsive your horse becomes, making him softer, more balanced on the hind quarters, obedient and energetic.

Ultimately we are looking for the horse to start using the big muscles that go over his back and through his neck so he can start engaging his hind legs more and carry the energy from his hind legs over his back and into your hands.

Most of the work and training in this stage is still done in the trot. The better the trot work – (1.) rhythm, (2.) suppleness & relaxation with balance-the better the canter will be. The trot can help you lay the foundation for the next levels in the Training Pyramid of Dressage.

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Choosing the best running gear depends on how comfortable the wearer will be when he starts to run. Except for the running shoes and clothes, there are no additional compulsory gadgets to use when you run. For beginners, the running clothes can be a simple T-shirt or tank top paired with shorts or jogging pants. This outfit will do as long as the runner stays comfortable.There will be no need to buy a new pair of expensive running clothes at this level. For women, a sports bra of good quality may be needed for support while training or running.

As the person decides to be serious with running, it is now the time to buy clothing that is really designed for hard core runners or running enthusiasts. Although the purchase can be a little costly, it really is worth the price if you look at the whole picture. Specially designed running clothes have a very good quality – they protect the runner while keeping him comfortable as he runs. The materials are usually made with synthetic fabrics like CoolMax and Dri-Fit, which possess a very good wicking property that keeps the moisture and wetness away from the body. Below are the basic list of comfortable running apparel needed for men and women:

• Sports Bra (Women)
– Very important for women. Provides good support and reduces bounce.

• Running Shirts (Men and Women)
– Made usually with lightweight material that keeps the body cool.
– Fits really well to the body and very comfortable for movement.

• Running Jackets (Men and Women)
– Great to use during cold weather. Gives protection from winds and rains.

• Running Shorts
– Running shorts have different designs made for men and women that give them enough freedom for movements.

• Running Pants
– Stylish outfit that is suitable to use especially during cold days. Still possess the same materials that wicks moisture.

Wearing layers of running clothes when training or running will be needed sometimes. Just make sure to remove some of it as the body becomes warmer. As you run, keep your body cool and cover yourself again when you have finished working out.

For more information about this article, please check out Running Shirts, and Run to Finish.

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Competitive or not, a good running form is essential to have. Proper running mechanics can save from injuries and is a big factor in running faster and in a more efficient manner. Practicing these running positions will make a big difference in your running progress. In this article, we will discuss briefly the proper form when running.

Head
The head is an important part of the body to focus on when running. The alignment of the neck and back depends on the position of the head as you run. So when you run, never look down on your feet. The ideal position would be to look straight ahead of you and keep your chin in (don’t let it jut out). Scan the horizon and enjoy the scenery ahead of you. This running form must be maintained at all times.

Shoulders and Torso
Shoulders must be level – don’t let them dip side to side as you run. Maintain a position where they don’t reach your ears and let them loose. Most likely when you start to get tired, you will try to pull your shoulders up out of exhaustion. Never do this. Instead, shake your shoulders to take off the tension. The position of the torso is dependent on the head and the shoulder’s position. The torso must also be in a straight position [stretch yourself up to your full height] in order to breathe more effectively and have an optimum stride length. This running form is commonly referred to as “running tall’ position.

Arms and Hands
The arms must be kept in a relaxed position between the waist and lower chest with the elbows bent at a 90 degree angle. Every swing of the arms helps in propelling the body forward, but never swing across the body. Hands must not be clenched in a tight fist, but should be relaxed and in a position where the fingers are touching lightly the palm of your hands. If you start to feel the tension in your hands, try dropping your arms to your sides and then start to shake them. Do this for a few seconds only.

Legs and Feet
If you are a sprinter, you need to lift your knees high in order to maximize your leg power. But if you are a distance runner, a slight lifting of your knees plus a quick turnover and shorter strides are the appropriate running form. You can’t sustain the high knee lift when you are running for longer distances. As you run, landing in between your heels and midfoot is required with every step, along with hitting the ground lightly. Keep the ankles in a flexed position to promote a better push as you roll yourself forward.

For more information about this article, please check out Discover Proper Running Form, and Run to Finish.

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