The “Elbow Pull”
(Page 29) THE “ELBOW PULL” The “Elbow Pull” is a self-correcting restraint for your equine that I developed to help the equine to maintain good posture in a balanced frame throughout his various lessons. Ordinarily, it is first used in our program after the young equine (2 years and under) graduates from the leading exercises (on the flat ground for postural balance and over obstacles to add coordination to the good posture while moving). If the equine is over two years old, I recommend doing all the leading exercises in the “Elbow Pull.” He will need to alter his unbalanced way of moving right from the beginning. Good posture is not inherent; it must be taught. Doing these leading exercises with this purpose in mind will prepare him to balance his body properly on a circle in the Round Ren. The “Elbow Pull” does not tie his head down and is completely self-corrected by the equine himself. It encourages him to stay erect in his body while bending through his rib cage, but prevents him from being able to hollow his neck and back when in more active motion. It gives him more responsibility for his self-carriage in good equine posture while you stand in the middle of the Round Pen when his head is no longer at your shoulder. It will help to keep him from leaning like a motorcycle on the circle and through turns so that the elements at the core that support the skeleton are developed symmetrically with no compromises. Its purpose is similar to the bar on the wall that a ballet dancer uses until they can sustain their own balance unassisted.
The leading lessons, both on flat ground and through obstacles, will strengthen his core in good equine posture, but the benefit of those exercises could be lost if he does not continue in good posture on the circle in the Round Pen where you are no longer right next to him to correct his posture. The “Elbow Pull” puts pressure on the poll, corners of the lips, behind the forearm and over the back when he begins to fall out of good posture. When the tension on the “Elbow Pull” is correctly adjusted, it will remain loose when he is taking complete responsibility for his own balance. When he raises his head and begins to go out of good posture, it will prevent him from hollowing his neck and back, gives him free range of motion in all other directions and still gives him something to lean against to sustain a reasonably good posture while briefly resting his muscles. Until your equine is strong enough in his core muscles to sustain his own balance consistently, he will move in and out of keeping the “Elbow Pull” loose.
When it is loose, there is no pressure at all. You will know his core is adequately strengthened when it remains loose throughout his entire Round Pen lunging lessons. Then he can graduate to ground driving lessons and his first riding lessons in the Round Pen and later in the open arena. Ride with the “Elbow Pull” when you introduce your added weight. When the “Elbow Pull” remains loose throughout the exercises, it is no longer needed. Your animal will then have a strong core and maintain his good equine posture without it. His habitual way of moving will have been changed and all he will need is turnout to practice his new-found ideal posture on his own. The “Elbow Pull” can be used with leading training exercises during the rehabilitation of older animals that have not had the benefit of this early experience.
Developing balance and strength in good equine posture results in numerous benefits for you and your equine from standing still when mounting to simultaneous flying lead changes and balanced sliding stops. This approach builds confidence in the equine and subdues the flight reflex making for a much safer ride. To enhance your skills, learn more about our comprehensive management and training program under TRAINING on our website at www.luckythreeranch.com.
