Profound Effects of Leading Exercises
(Page 47) Leading exercises can have a profound effect on both yours and your equine’s body that will make training go much easier. Good posture is not something that living creatures are born with; it must be taught. Balanced core strength around the skeletal frame and internal organs can only be attained by moving consistently in good posture during leading training in our hourglass pattern (you will change leading sides with every new arc in the pattern). It is not the same as developing bulk muscle. Leading with the rope in your right hand does not promote good posture as it will drop your right shoulder. As you lead with your right hand, it will subtlely move the animal’s head from left to right as you walk, putting him out of balance with every step you take and will strengthen muscles asymmetrically. To develop core muscle strength correctly, stand in good posture, hold the lead in your LEFT hand so you do not interfere with his head and neck, keep his head at your shoulder, look where you are going, point in the direction of travel with your right hand (use it to keep him in line when needed) and match the steps of his front legs (Photo #1). Always walk straight lines and gradual arcs to keep his body erect as he bends through his rib cage instead of leaning into turns like a motorcycle (Photo #2). To center his balance and command his attention at every halt, always square him up so he places equal weight over all four feet (Photo #3), and always make sure he backs slowly and straight…one step at a time (Photo #4). These are the subtle exercises that will develop strength and balance in his core muscles, improve his attentiveness and will allow internal organs to function properly. This is similar to what Pilates does for humans. These leading exercises can be done with our “Elbow Pull” to rehabilitate older equines that are more permanently stuck in bad posture as shown here. Always lead your equine this way from the time you fetch him from the pen until the time you put him away. Over time, good posture will become his normal way of moving. Learn much more detail in the “Training Tips” and “MULE CROSSING” articles under TRAINING on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com, or still more in my Equus Revisited manual/DVD combo that can be purchased from our STORE.
