Studying fluidity

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I sure did. :D I got blankets, clothes, a handheld radio, and a picture. Plus my older sister made a great photo album for mom and dad with my senior pics. :D Awesomeness

Okay-the subject for this post is-



Yes. My horrible fluidity. Horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE! *buries face in hands* And I think I've figured out where it comes from-my shoulders and back are stiff as a board when I'm riding. Not just when I'm riding, when I'm walking, sitting, or even just chilling out on my bed here typing this blog. I could get away with it on Chief-he has a short stride, doesn't really use his back, and whatnot. But no-Chase has once again sent me into another level of conscious incompetence. Which is excellent-gives me room to improve. :) He is a horse that above all else-uses his BACK! Its wonderful-thinking of how many people lunge their horses around for hours in a surcingle trying to achieve that. not just that-he uses his back, he uses his shoulders, and he's overall very flexible when I think about it. Which brings me to the conclusion of why our riding just isn't going as planned-I'm not flexible. I never thought I'd say this, but I think I'll have to start a program of stretching in the evening and at night-especially with my shoulders. :) Also-I wonder if part of the reason is that I've gone back to my old habit of walking toes first instead of heels first-I'll experiment with that as well. :) I think a lot of point to point is in order-20 minutes a night, on some horse-not chase all the time, maybe chief more often.

Ok, that's all for now-I'm off to research the rider stretches and whatnot. Ttyl!