Susanne Winslade
classes, clinics and workshops for all levels of horse and rider
Seatworks
Alexia Rosoff on Zuri during a longeline session at a Seatworks clinic with Susanne Winslade.
photo by Laura Strassman
Seatworks is a very unique clinic of Susanne Winslade's own design. It focuses solely on the rider and the issues of balance, symmetry and alignment. Equitation is not about "looking pretty". It is about establishing a solid, secure seat and consistent independence of the seat, leg and hand. Without the correct position we, as riders, develop inhibiting and sometimes physically damaging misalignments and asymmetries. Not only do these problems inhibit our success as riders, they greatly reduce the athletic abilities of our horses.
A Seatworks clinic begins with an analysis of the rider. The participants are instructed to ride as they normally would at all three gaits in a typical routine they would follow at home. The session is videotaped (bring your own camera) as Susanne keeps a running commentary of her observations. These video notes document the riders habitual body position in interaction with the horse.
The following day begins to break down the positional problems of each rider to the root cause. From there, a program is developed to help strengthen the weaker muscles that will enable us to "hold" our new found position of power. This program includes specific work on the ground, cross training suggestions and mounted exercises.
Work on the longe line is included in all Seatworks clinics as this technique is a very safe and reliable method used by the Spanish riding school and other classical trainers for centuries. The horse's only job is to keep moving forward providing a method for complete focus on the rider.
"Equestrian posture means more than looking pretty. Having a solid, comfortable core balance gives the rider the ability to execute the correct aids. A strong central and symmetrical position enables the rider to feel the resistances and nuances of the horse's balance and behavior. A strong position allows the rider to follow the motion of the gaits fully, enabling the horse and rider couple to move together with grace and harmony, (with) each partner following and then leading, as in a dance together; with true independence of the hand, seat and leg.
"A rider should always be part of the horse's solution and never part of the horse's dilemmas. Having a deep understanding of where the origin of your balance comes from, how your legs hang below you, how to carry your upper torso using abdominal strength and fitness is central to being and remaining a solution." ~Susanne Winslade
To read an article written by Laura Strassman on a Seatworks clinic for the "Horse of Kings" magazine, click here.
