If the title of this post makes no sense, read on, it will be made clear. Lynsey Rowan had a lesson on my horse Biasini . Belinda quite often said to her: “Leg…not right left.” I knew the “right left” as it is one of my favorite things to do to supple the horse and lighten the contact. But I also know that in my lessons Belinda was always telling me not to use that method. The ‘right left’ involves using the fingers of both hands to flex the horse to the left and to the right. So in a break I asked Belinda what she meant by “leg”. She told me that the lower leg should be used to bend the horse and this will produce the correct flexion and lighten the contact with the horse’s mouth. The lesson began with canter work.
Belinda had Lynsey work on canter half pass and then the canter half pass zig zag. In the video you will hear Belinda give Lynsey reminders about getting Biasini light and over his back and bending in the corners. You know, all those dressage details!
Then they went on to trot work and half pass and half pass zig zag in trot. Here is a video of the trot half pass and the zig zag.
Even though I was not riding I found this a valuable lesson. Leg first not ‘right left’. That is a lesson I must remember when I get back to riding. And I had good news on that front this week. The orthopedic surgeon told me that I can start to ride whenever I feel ready. First I have to walk without the walker, then walk with a cane, then nothing. And then if I feel confident enough I can start back riding!!
HorseAddict 
This brought a memory of my granddad pulling on the reins of a plow horse while yelling “Gee or Haw.”
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Well for a plow horse that would be just what you should do.. But dressage is a different ballgame. Thanks for sharing this great memory 😊
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I know well that process of walking under your own steam again (walker, stick etc) its great to have the motivation of riding again to look forward to although it will all take time to build those muscle again – its shocking how quickly they fade if you have been immobilise for a long period.
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I am sorry you fractured your hip – I must have missed that whilst I was sick with covid – how did that happen?
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I took two large recycling bins down to the road ,picked both of them up and swung them over to my right side and pt them on the ground. I felt a nasty pain in my right hip. It got worse during the day and by 5 am the next morning I got taxi to the ER. It was a Greater Trochanter hip fracture. Turns out my butt muscles are stronger than my hip bone and when I twisted with the bins the damage was done..it is a small fracture and will not need surgery. But I am still alternating between a walker and a cane 6 weeks later.
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It’s incredible that seemingly minor everyday actions that can result in significant damage to ourselves. I hope that your recovery continues without incidence!
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Our neighbour said he was NEVER going to take the recycling bins out again!😂
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Luckily I’ve been able to walk with a walker from day 1 and I’ve been doing physio aa well so it’s not too bad. I now do physio with 2lb weights on the leg. Not much weight but it makes a difference.
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That’s good that you have been on your feet so that you haven’t lost too much muscle mass.
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That is awesome news Anne! 😃💖 xxx
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Thank YOU 😊
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Wonderful! 🙂
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Finally some good news for you and concrete steps to take in moving forward. Yeah!
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Awesome news!
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Yeah! That is wonderful news, Anne. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.
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YES!!
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Thank you Sandy. I certainly hope so!
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