Horseback riding, like other sports, demands coordination, timing and direction. The Feldenkrais Method® lends itself beautifully to improving equestrian skills for many reasons..Bill Hutchinson, a Feldenkrais® practitioner in Massachusetts, has been working with riders, helping them to learn how to ride better.
He says, “Many riders get caught in the trap of struggling with their horse, showing him ‘who is boss’—which is counter productive.” Feldenkrais lessons show the rider how to be with the horse, as a single, intelligent unit.
Horses respond to messages or directives from the feet, legs, back, arms and hands. These signals must be precise. Often riders give mixed messages which confuse the horse. For instance, the rider must learn to deliver a message with only one leg with no participation by the other leg or hip. In Feldenkrais lessons, the rider learns how to be more focused and precise.