Love the lesson videos! Love watching Alicia ride, but her cues are so subtle that sometimes it’s hard to see exactly what she is doing. It’s so nice to see a rider making the same little mistakes that we all do, and then have Alicia explain what to do differently, and why.
I just had a aha moment watching this again. The flap like a duck is your thigh to your knee! I now understand it! And I now know how I can use it. I must say, in all my latest rides at the riding school I have improved so much. I now get the ride the slowest laziest horse just because I’m one of few that can get her going, thanks to dressage-hands, shorter reins and get up and go! It’s really inspiring! I just want to ride more! All the time if I could, really! Thanks again!
Flap like a duck makes me feel so silly and ameutur but I swear it works in keeping my horse forward instead of my leaning forward and gripping with my knees - thank you Alicia your the best!! 🤩😁🎊
Thank you Alicia for”flap like a duck”. I have been gripping with my knees when I canter. This helps me stop! It’s amazing how that phrase works. I love the lesson sessions. I learn a lot by watching you correct issues that other students have. Please keep theses coming🙂
OMG BOOM ! I’ve had so many lessons and so many trainers. Learn so much from the single video! A connection going forward- explain the entire thing to me. Now I get it. My horses thank you ! And flap like a duck is invaluable. - Alicia you are incredible love you’re contagious laugh and energy !
Great job Ash!! I broke my left arm, pelvis and neck in a car accident a few years ago. Have since had both hips replaced. Great seeing you doing so well ! You're an inspiration. It sucks when our bodies dont work like they used to, but we preserver because we love riding so much!
My biggest takeaway was to ‘flap like a duck’, it feels really weird at the start but definitely works! This video has been so helpful and I’m glad to know I’m not the only rider that struggles with these transitions. P.s Wessel is soooo cute and such an amazing horse! 😍😂
I can't leave a comment on FB because of the local peanut gallery having a contrary opinion that I can't be arsed to deal with but "flap like a duck" worked like you've known me and my horse forever. Brilliant.
I love how you teach with metaphors and visualizations. It definitely helps! “Flap like a duck” helps because it definitely loosens up the leg from clenching for sure!!! I always have your sayings in my head while I ride now!!
What an experience of a lifetime for Ash. Loved the problem solving in real time. Flap like a duck is my biggest takeaway. It all boils down to relaxation and flapping makes you aware of the tension. Thank you!
I loved watching this video of Ash the first time, re-watching it again now makes me smile, I have flapped like many a good duck since the first time I saw it as I struggle to compensate for a wonky pelvis with subconsciously gripping in the canter-trot transitions, as I do my best duck and build up strength in my pelvis I am improving so thank you, not just Alicia, but Ash for being super brave and letting us all see this lesson! As always love to you all and smooches Wes's nose! xx
I loved this video & have gone back to it many times because it's so transformative in so many ways. Ģreat for the short reins tip, great for the tuck your bum in, the middle of the saddle position & of course the flap like a duck!!!! My partner has borrowed this for his teaching to stop the gripping!!! What I really love is the gentle coaching, really guiding Ash to draw on her own resources, without pushing, or intimidating at all!!! All the feeling talk is really helpful!! Great teaching Alicia - every viewing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💟🐴🙏
Wonderful, wonderful wonderful! I was just working on this yesterday in my lesson. I noticed that I have been gripping with my thighs and knees, which is something I never used to do. Once I consciously removed the pressure in those areas and put more weight in my feet, the canter immediately came more underneath me and slowed down. It really works!! Thanks so much for sharing your lesson with us, Ash!!
Im leasing my first ever horse in the next few weeks. After 2 years of learning. Im so excited to put your videos into practice. I feel like a kid at Christmas time. Ive never owned a horse but i have such a hunger ride, and finally being able to be independent with learning and practicing what you teach is going to be amazing 🎉
Congratulations on leasing your first horse! It's wonderful to hear that you're so enthusiastic about applying what you've learned to your new partnership with your horse. Enjoy the journey and have fun!
Thank you Alicia! I have my first dressage test in 2022 coming up this month. I can't wait to use the canter trot tip of rising in the canter to engage the trot without it slowing us down and losing the rhythm!
All of these videos are game changers! I’m definitely guilty of squeezing my horse too much which not only affects her movement, but my balance in a negative way too. So the “flap like duck” will be the first thing I will try on my next ride! I also tend to be too rude with my hands and the finger movement like playing a piano analogy made much sense for me! Thank you so much for all the knowledge you share with us!
As if by magic , this is exactly my current struggle & here is the video to solve it! This analogy is so simple and easy to remember , compared to the way others have tried to explain this to me. Thank you!
@@YourRidingSuccess first time trying this last night & really helped me not tense up when cantering . It was my first time cantering in an open field too so I was 💩 myself . But no falls & a lil more confidence gained. Thank you!!
The info about the reins being shorter but not pulling your hands helps to lift their nose and to stop you pulling too hard was so enlightening. 👌 Yes do an interview with Ash it would be good to know how long it took her to understand your vision, your terminology and your sense of humor.😉
I just began to do canter~Trot transitions again. Perfect timing to see this video again as I still have problems with my right arm tensing and overtaking and pulling too low… cannot express enough how helpful seeing Alicias help with Ash. Bravo Ash… you look beautiful on him!
I love this video and found it so helpful. I tried these transitions this morning not gripping with my legs and not using the handbrake. Rise into trot. Will take some practice but so cool! Thanks!
This horse is so damn cute! When she dropped her inside stirrup she gripped with her leg and he changed leads. It made me laugh just seeing how well schooled this horse is! Just doing his job….
Thanks Ash! Well done so great for your first ride back x I neeeed one of these lessons Alicia!!!!! love it. Take away - Using the counter flexion and leg yield as a que to change pace to trot instead of slowing down
Omg canter to trot transitions... YES!!!!!! Thank God! okay like literally biggest takeaway is CIRCLE w/leg yield and push forward and comeup out of saddle but MOST IMPORTANTLY... REPETITION!!! [The hardest thing for me is that Casp is a riding school horse and often has kids on him but I ride him hard and classical dressage so he has to work hard but he does get mixed messages. Grr!] And major thing for ME... if im gripping... flap like a freaking duck and use 2 point to help not grip and return to sitting... I needed this earlier today but on Monday I'm soooooo doing this!!!
@@YourRidingSuccess me either I got my coach to watch this too and Monday we're gonna try it all haha! Go big or go home 😜 I LOVE learning and pushing myself. I wish I could have more lessons, or a part loan would come available at my yard, praying it will in next couple months, then I'll be well on way! But would loooooive to have more lessons over summer, but finances argh! Why did I fall I love with an expensive sport when I live on disability benefits lol 🤦🏼♀️ but honestly these animals, drawing them professionally for some extra crash, expanding but sort back to some freestyle paintings too, and just being anywhere near them helps my mental health so much. It makes all the diagnoses and issues and cancer all bearable! Thank you so much for sharing so much of your knowledge and helping me continue to learn out of lessons when I don't have the finance to ride more ... although no offence I'd rather ride more 😜 or urgh or get a video camera!!! I use my old Samsung phone, prop it on the arena wall and it's a sorta 50mx24m arena -which knows lol!- but my phone video's wide angle but after about 5m away it's fuzzy shapes lol!! One day I'll have a camera even half as good as yours so I can actually SEE what I'm doing when I look back over my lessons, not just strain to hear my coaches voice lol!!!) Pps... I would looooooove to ride in your arena, it's like a dream one, such a light, airy, and tranquil space! With ACE mirrors... my yard has 2... you can see put of one hahaha!!!
I'm a bit off from canter to trot transition in the arena but so very useful watching and listening to this Thank you and bloody well done Ash that didn't look like a first proper ride after months of recoup! Wish I looked like that :)
loved this video in particular. I clamp my legs on and use my inside rein too much. My mantra will now be "flap like a Duck! (quietly of course!!) and keep my horse's head straighter, especially in canter. Thank you.
Last night in my lesson with my trainer practicing Trott to canter I was able to communicate to my trainer what I was doing that felt wrong and it was clamping while giving the aid to canter. So I tried the ‘flap like a duck’ and it made a huge difference and made me relax so much more.
I’ve tried the flap like a duck before when I saw it in one of your previous videos! At first it feels incredibly awkward, I felt unbalanced and like a 5-year-old first time on horseback 😱 but that’s when I realised that I was clenching my legs all the time and me being stiff and cramped made my horse block! So when I tried the exercise my whole body unblocked and relaxed and my horse immediately reacted better to my leg aid 😍😍
What helped me most was "tuck your bum under". I always used to bend a little forward when rising, didn't help that my trainer yelled all the regular "helmet to the sky", "imagine a string pulling you up" etc. My position is so much better when I focus on getting my butt under me instead. I think it's because then I have my attention closer to the gravity point instead of feeling unbalances in my upper body. Next step is to try the flapping, lol.
Really cool and educational video! I have been wondering why you always would tell your students in your real-life sessions-videos to "think and sit tall" when doing canter-trot transitions. A big takeaway for me was to learn that it is to help the horse to tell the difference between being asked for collected canter or a canter-trot transition and it makes so much sense! Also a big takeaway was to really get the entire understanding of what "flap like a duck" helps with. I have been trying hard to flap like a duck for a long time, but I have only used my lower leg to flap with. Now that I understand that it is not only preventing me from digging but also - if I use all my leg from "lady parts"(haha) and down - prevent me from squishing so much that it slows him down. So tomorrow I will try to flap like a duck with both lower legs and my thighs. x
@@YourRidingSuccess It actually isn't a very nice feeling hahah, but that must be because I grip too much with my thighs, and I feel the difference it makes when flapping like a duck - especially in leg yields where I grip wayyy too much making it harder for both the horse and myself - when flapping like a duck I give the horse and myself much more space to be more relaxed and correct :D
I love watching these lesson episodes! Even though most skills I can't use right now, I can come back to them later. I'm going to hopefully start cantering my rescued horse in the next month or two- he's working on obedience and endurance in the saddle. He was super under weight and lacking muscles when I got him. He looks so much better now! I think I'm going to try the counter flexion in the corners next ride. See how that goes
Again fantastic lesson about canter transition. I have been struggling with trot canter transition my whole riding life. First thing I learned from DMA is correct timing while change to canter (no trainer has ever mentioned it to me before, they have always just told me : sit in the saddle and use outside leg....why is this possible it is not basic knowledge for horse riding instructors/trainers ??) Second one is giving the aid as a pop, not as a squeeze. nobody ever explained HOW to use the leg...
Thanks very much for this video- exactly what I needed.Good to see how to correct mistakes. I only started cantering a few weeks ago. I still have a problem with tucking my bum under in trot and for some reason it’s not an issue in canter🤦♀️
Very informative video! The technical skills in the video are beyond my skill set at the moment. However, I will definitely utilize the information in this video when I start to canter. BUT….I’ll definitely try the ‘flap like a duck’ tip when I feel like I’m starting to grip.
Thankyou Ash you are Amazing! I'm guilty of gripping and I'm going to make it my goal to stop! 🤞🤞🤞Flap like a duck and engage my core instead if I can find it 🤣 Thanks Guys 💥💥💥x
Flap like a duck and only squeeze&hold for stop love this!! Just to clarify, do you squeeze and hold for a trot to walk and walk to halt but just rise from a canter to trot? :)
Love the flap like a duck. So far that works the best for helping me stop clenching/clamping with my legs. I still struggle with tucking the butt under but not rounding my back and shoulders....and keeping my reins short enough. All at the same time. And even weight in the stirrups and sitting in the correct spot and.... 🤣
Hi Ash and Alecia!!! Great video!! Ash- why wouldn't we want an interview with you again?! You're this super awesome girl who rode in New Zealand?! My god, I've dreamt of going there my whole life, I hear it's gorgeous there..youve made so much progress from having had all that time off in like zero time at all..you're practically a celebrity to yrs viewers I'd think! ⭐ Super helpful watching this. Sometimes I actually feel I need to let my stirrups go to when I canter especially going to the right for some reason. AND flap like a 🦆. I definitely need to remember to try this more! But also head in the middle of the chest reminders as like a compass sort of. I really liked that. Thank guys!!! 🤩
Can you explain why you counter flex to get roundness a bit more. I have been trying this with my OTTB and it definitely helps, but I don’t really understand why
@@YourRidingSuccess You are welcome I will try this win I ride my with my horse training and I have a horse training and she is helping me how to ride my horse the right way Nannette
Hi Alicia, and team, a great video. It’s nice to see the way things can change when being talked through it. I have used the flap analogy.. mines a bit more like a sparrow than a duck, it gets him a little hyped up atm. I can’t master the non sit position through up and down transitions. The benefits are noticeable on your horses. I have always sat between every transition. Can you please explain it for me. Rising in canter to trot is the hardest one.. I think Ash has come a long way, she is so much more confident. Thanks again guys. Vick from Oz.
If a young horse has 2 riders and only 1 is doing dressage, can I still learn her this way of doing the transition, or should I also teach the other rider to do it like this?
How do you know how short to have your reins? have told a few riders in different videos to shorten them. and is this all the time or just for a time while you work on something?
I know the basis of the transitions but it's just those little mistakes that make the canter transition less smooth and less balanced. This video will really help, especially with a real life example with a rider👍😁😉
I wish my horse was like yours. Mine races off in our downward transition to trot and goes so fast I lose my balance because I can't keep up with her. If I use the rein her head goes right up. Unfortunately, I suppose I have to accept she will never be a dressage horse. ☹️
Hi Marlee!! Thank you so much for sharing! We would hate for you to continue to struggle and think your horse can't do dressage! Would you be able to reach out to us at support@yourridingsuccess.com? x
Alicia could you please tone down your "Hello Superstars" intro - I use earspods & you enthusiasm blows my head off. When I'm busy I listen to your playlist & can't turn down my volume quick enough when your next program starts. Thanks for your help & your love of sharing. I'm a western rider from Wyoming! THANK YOU!
I’m only 7 minutes in, but it seems that they were working to improve this starting at around 4 minutes in. It’s much better at the point I’m at now. (I don’t know yet if it becomes a problem again later in the lesson).
Hi Laurel! Thanks so much for tuning in and your question! As mentioned in the reply from Panther Flow, connection is one of the things we are working on in this lesson with Ash and Gee. If you watch the video fully you will see Alicia gives Ash instructions to help Gee carry himself and avoid going behind the vertical x
I think this is my favorite series! I love watching the lessons! I love hearing all the metaphors and how you guys work through problems!
YAY! So glad you enjoyed this video! Thanks for watching x
Love the lesson videos! Love watching Alicia ride, but her cues are so subtle that sometimes it’s hard to see exactly what she is doing. It’s so nice to see a rider making the same little mistakes that we all do, and then have Alicia explain what to do differently, and why.
Glad you like them!
She looks fantastic!!! Great lesson! 👍🏽 learned so much 😃
Awesome! Thank you!
I just had a aha moment watching this again. The flap like a duck is your thigh to your knee! I now understand it! And I now know how I can use it.
I must say, in all my latest rides at the riding school I have improved so much. I now get the ride the slowest laziest horse just because I’m one of few that can get her going, thanks to dressage-hands, shorter reins and get up and go!
It’s really inspiring! I just want to ride more! All the time if I could, really!
Thanks again!
YAY!! LOVE that this video gave you inspiration to ride more! We can't wait to hear more about your progress! x
Flap like a duck makes me feel so silly and ameutur but I swear it works in keeping my horse forward instead of my leaning forward and gripping with my knees - thank you Alicia your the best!! 🤩😁🎊
You're welcome! :)
Thank you Alicia for”flap like a duck”. I have been gripping with my knees when I canter. This helps me stop! It’s amazing how that phrase works. I love the lesson sessions. I learn a lot by watching you correct issues that other students have. Please keep theses coming🙂
So glad you learned so much from this video and the tips were super helpful for you x
OMG BOOM ! I’ve had so many lessons and so many trainers. Learn so much from the single video! A connection going forward- explain the entire thing to me. Now I get it. My horses thank you ! And flap like a duck is invaluable. - Alicia you are incredible love you’re contagious laugh and energy !
You're so welcome!
Great job Ash!! I broke my left arm, pelvis and neck in a car accident a few years ago. Have since had both hips replaced. Great seeing you doing so well ! You're an inspiration. It sucks when our bodies dont work like they used to, but we preserver because we love riding so much!
Thanks for sharing this with us, Sandra! And so glad you are enjoying this journey with Ash x
Flap like a duck is going to me my new mantra to relax my leg! Brilliant
Woohooo!
amazing video . now i know that i need to flap like a duck will definitely try it thanks
YAY! Tell us how you go trying it out x
My biggest takeaway was to ‘flap like a duck’, it feels really weird at the start but definitely works! This video has been so helpful and I’m glad to know I’m not the only rider that struggles with these transitions.
P.s Wessel is soooo cute and such an amazing horse! 😍😂
Thanks for sharing your biggest takeaways!! And LOVE that this has been super helpful for you!! Can't wait for you to try these tips out x
A great lesson with amazing riding and explanations. Flap like a duck!...will go out and try it today. Thank you both.
Good luck Lis! :)
I can't leave a comment on FB because of the local peanut gallery having a contrary opinion that I can't be arsed to deal with but "flap like a duck" worked like you've known me and my horse forever. Brilliant.
Thanks for sharing!! Love that it worked!
I love how you teach with metaphors and visualizations. It definitely helps! “Flap like a duck” helps because it definitely loosens up the leg from clenching for sure!!! I always have your sayings in my head while I ride now!!
So much learning! Thanks for watching, Shannon! x
What an experience of a lifetime for Ash. Loved the problem solving in real time. Flap like a duck is my biggest takeaway. It all boils down to relaxation and flapping makes you aware of the tension. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your biggest takeaways from this video! x
I loved watching this video of Ash the first time, re-watching it again now makes me smile, I have flapped like many a good duck since the first time I saw it as I struggle to compensate for a wonky pelvis with subconsciously gripping in the canter-trot transitions, as I do my best duck and build up strength in my pelvis I am improving so thank you, not just Alicia, but Ash for being super brave and letting us all see this lesson!
As always love to you all and smooches Wes's nose! xx
Thanks for your kind words! So glad you are enjoying the videos and we are happy that you are improving! :) Well done! :)
I loved this video & have gone back to it many times because it's so transformative in so many ways. Ģreat for the short reins tip, great for the tuck your bum in, the middle of the saddle position & of course the flap like a duck!!!! My partner has borrowed this for his teaching to stop the gripping!!! What I really love is the gentle coaching, really guiding Ash to draw on her own resources, without pushing, or intimidating at all!!! All the feeling talk is really helpful!! Great teaching Alicia - every viewing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💟🐴🙏
YAY!! Thanks, Benita! and Love that your partner has also used this technique for teaching x
Wonderful, wonderful wonderful! I was just working on this yesterday in my lesson. I noticed that I have been gripping with my thighs and knees, which is something I never used to do. Once I consciously removed the pressure in those areas and put more weight in my feet, the canter immediately came more underneath me and slowed down. It really works!! Thanks so much for sharing your lesson with us, Ash!!
Thank you so much Dana! So glad it works for you! Well done!
So good to see when mistakes are made and you get the guidance and information what went wrong, why it went wrong and how to solve it.😆
Yess, it's so helpful!
So glad you both enjoyed watching this video! Thank you so much x
Im leasing my first ever horse in the next few weeks. After 2 years of learning. Im so excited to put your videos into practice. I feel like a kid at Christmas time.
Ive never owned a horse but i have such a hunger ride, and finally being able to be independent with learning and practicing what you teach is going to be amazing 🎉
Congratulations on leasing your first horse! It's wonderful to hear that you're so enthusiastic about applying what you've learned to your new partnership with your horse. Enjoy the journey and have fun!
Awesome lesson! Biggest take always are shorter reins and flap like a duck to loosen up my seat!
Great! Thanks so much for sharing xx
Thank you Alicia! I have my first dressage test in 2022 coming up this month. I can't wait to use the canter trot tip of rising in the canter to engage the trot without it slowing us down and losing the rhythm!
Wow! How exciting!! Best of luck to you x
Yes, "forward" giving connection 👏
Woohoo! x
So fun to watch and learn!
Thank you :)
All of these videos are game changers! I’m definitely guilty of squeezing my horse too much which not only affects her movement, but my balance in a negative way too. So the “flap like duck” will be the first thing I will try on my next ride! I also tend to be too rude with my hands and the finger movement like playing a piano analogy made much sense for me! Thank you so much for all the knowledge you share with us!
YAY! Soo excited! Tell us how you go trying this out x
I trusted the duck and it helped me to quit clinching with the clinician I last struggled with. We had a very productive lesson today 😁
Thanks for sharing! Love this!!
I just love watching these videos. So very helpful.
Glad you like them!
As if by magic , this is exactly my current struggle & here is the video to solve it! This analogy is so simple and easy to remember , compared to the way others have tried to explain this to me. Thank you!
LOVE it! We can't wait to hear how it goes for you trying out this technique x
@@YourRidingSuccess first time trying this last night & really helped me not tense up when cantering . It was my first time cantering in an open field too so I was 💩 myself . But no falls & a lil more confidence gained. Thank you!!
Oh my gosh thanks so so much if you remember I ask for help for how to not squeezing my legs too tight you are the best love this lesson ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you x
The info about the reins being shorter but not pulling your hands helps to lift their nose and to stop you pulling too hard was so enlightening. 👌
Yes do an interview with Ash it would be good to know how long it took her to understand your vision, your terminology and your sense of humor.😉
So glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching x
I just began to do canter~Trot transitions again. Perfect timing to see this video again as I still have problems with my right arm tensing and overtaking and pulling too low… cannot express enough how helpful seeing Alicias help with Ash. Bravo Ash… you look beautiful on him!
Thank you!! And love that you are now trying out the tips you learned here - tell us how you go x
I love this video and found it so helpful. I tried these transitions this morning not gripping with my legs and not using the handbrake. Rise into trot. Will take some practice but so cool! Thanks!
YAY!! That's super amazing!! 👏👏👏
This was awesome!!
YAY! Thank you x
This is so helpful canter - trot is the bane of my life 🤣 can’t wait to give it a go
YESSS!! We're excited to hear about it x
This horse is so damn cute! When she dropped her inside stirrup she gripped with her leg and he changed leads. It made me laugh just seeing how well schooled this horse is! Just doing his job….
Thanks Ash! Well done so great for your first ride back x I neeeed one of these lessons Alicia!!!!! love it. Take away - Using the counter flexion and leg yield as a que to change pace to trot instead of slowing down
Glad you enjoyed this video! And thanks for sharing your takeaways x
Love love love the DMA question about canter to trot transitions. I’m so glad to hear that’s a common problem, not just mine. 😀
Thanks for watching, Sylvia! We can't wait for you to put this into practice x
Omg canter to trot transitions... YES!!!!!! Thank God! okay like literally biggest takeaway is CIRCLE w/leg yield and push forward and comeup out of saddle but MOST IMPORTANTLY... REPETITION!!! [The hardest thing for me is that Casp is a riding school horse and often has kids on him but I ride him hard and classical dressage so he has to work hard but he does get mixed messages. Grr!] And major thing for ME... if im gripping... flap like a freaking duck and use 2 point to help not grip and return to sitting... I needed this earlier today but on Monday I'm soooooo doing this!!!
So much takeaways!! Thanks for sharing! We can't wait for you to try them out x
@@YourRidingSuccess me either I got my coach to watch this too and Monday we're gonna try it all haha! Go big or go home 😜 I LOVE learning and pushing myself. I wish I could have more lessons, or a part loan would come available at my yard, praying it will in next couple months, then I'll be well on way! But would loooooive to have more lessons over summer, but finances argh! Why did I fall I love with an expensive sport when I live on disability benefits lol 🤦🏼♀️ but honestly these animals, drawing them professionally for some extra crash, expanding but sort back to some freestyle paintings too, and just being anywhere near them helps my mental health so much. It makes all the diagnoses and issues and cancer all bearable! Thank you so much for sharing so much of your knowledge and helping me continue to learn out of lessons when I don't have the finance to ride more ... although no offence I'd rather ride more 😜 or urgh or get a video camera!!! I use my old Samsung phone, prop it on the arena wall and it's a sorta 50mx24m arena -which knows lol!- but my phone video's wide angle but after about 5m away it's fuzzy shapes lol!! One day I'll have a camera even half as good as yours so I can actually SEE what I'm doing when I look back over my lessons, not just strain to hear my coaches voice lol!!!) Pps... I would looooooove to ride in your arena, it's like a dream one, such a light, airy, and tranquil space! With ACE mirrors... my yard has 2... you can see put of one hahaha!!!
I'm a bit off from canter to trot transition in the arena but so very useful watching and listening to this Thank you and bloody well done Ash that didn't look like a first proper ride after months of recoup! Wish I looked like that :)
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome, good job Ash😊 just the video I needed 🤩🐴
Woohoo! Love it x
loved this video in particular. I clamp my legs on and use my inside rein too much. My mantra will now be "flap like a Duck! (quietly of course!!) and keep my horse's head straighter, especially in canter. Thank you.
LOVE that mantra! We're excited to hear about it! x
Last night in my lesson with my trainer practicing Trott to canter I was able to communicate to my trainer what I was doing that felt wrong and it was clamping while giving the aid to canter. So I tried the ‘flap like a duck’ and it made a huge difference and made me relax so much more.
Wow! Love this. Thanks for sharing! :)
I’ve tried the flap like a duck before when I saw it in one of your previous videos! At first it feels incredibly awkward, I felt unbalanced and like a 5-year-old first time on horseback 😱 but that’s when I realised that I was clenching my legs all the time and me being stiff and cramped made my horse block! So when I tried the exercise my whole body unblocked and relaxed and my horse immediately reacted better to my leg aid 😍😍
YAY!! Love that it made so much changes in your riding! We can't wait to hear about your progress! x
It was really great to watch ash to ride I know what right.
Love it! x
What helped me most was "tuck your bum under". I always used to bend a little forward when rising, didn't help that my trainer yelled all the regular "helmet to the sky", "imagine a string pulling you up" etc.
My position is so much better when I focus on getting my butt under me instead. I think it's because then I have my attention closer to the gravity point instead of feeling unbalances in my upper body.
Next step is to try the flapping, lol.
Woohoo! So much learning - thanks for sharing!! Tell us more about your progress!
I have a physical issue too. Had rotator cuff surgery a few years back but it has affected my position a bit as well!
So sorry to hear this Dana.
Really cool and educational video! I have been wondering why you always would tell your students in your real-life sessions-videos to "think and sit tall" when doing canter-trot transitions. A big takeaway for me was to learn that it is to help the horse to tell the difference between being asked for collected canter or a canter-trot transition and it makes so much sense!
Also a big takeaway was to really get the entire understanding of what "flap like a duck" helps with. I have been trying hard to flap like a duck for a long time, but I have only used my lower leg to flap with. Now that I understand that it is not only preventing me from digging but also - if I use all my leg from "lady parts"(haha) and down - prevent me from squishing so much that it slows him down. So tomorrow I will try to flap like a duck with both lower legs and my thighs. x
Oh love this! Let me know how you go!
@@YourRidingSuccess It actually isn't a very nice feeling hahah, but that must be because I grip too much with my thighs, and I feel the difference it makes when flapping like a duck - especially in leg yields where I grip wayyy too much making it harder for both the horse and myself - when flapping like a duck I give the horse and myself much more space to be more relaxed and correct :D
Love the flap like a duck again.
YAY!!
Yes please to an interview with Ash. This video was epic.
YAY! She is amazing x
I love watching these lesson episodes! Even though most skills I can't use right now, I can come back to them later. I'm going to hopefully start cantering my rescued horse in the next month or two- he's working on obedience and endurance in the saddle. He was super under weight and lacking muscles when I got him. He looks so much better now! I think I'm going to try the counter flexion in the corners next ride. See how that goes
LOVE it, Amanda! We look forward to hearing how it goes for trying out the techniques you learned in the videos x
Love your videos. Learning so much! Please Please could you explain counter bend and how to get it?!
Hi Emma! Check out this video where Alicia talks more about counter bend - th-cam.com/video/lOuzqFLpero/w-d-xo.html
Exactly me. CHANGE YOUR REACTION TO LIGHTER. I clamp down exactly the same as Ash. Going to use this today. Thank you!!
We would love to hear how you go!! :)
@@YourRidingSuccess i had a lesson and tried to relax. I had good moments. You have inspired me again to do the best in my lifetime.
Again fantastic lesson about canter transition. I have been struggling with trot canter transition my whole riding life. First thing I learned from DMA is correct timing while change to canter (no trainer has ever mentioned it to me before, they have always just told me : sit in the saddle and use outside leg....why is this possible it is not basic knowledge for horse riding instructors/trainers ??) Second one is giving the aid as a pop, not as a squeeze. nobody ever explained HOW to use the leg...
So many takeaways!! Thanks so much for sharing!! x
My dream is to actually meet you guys! Love this video and I realize what I am doing now that I was doing.
LOVE it!! Glad you're learning so much from the videos x
Thanks very much for this video- exactly what I needed.Good to see how to correct mistakes. I only started cantering a few weeks ago. I still have a problem with tucking my bum under in trot and for some reason it’s not an issue in canter🤦♀️
Thanks for watching, Alex! Tell us how you go trying out the tips you learned in this video x
Very informative video! The technical skills in the video are beyond my skill set at the moment. However, I will definitely utilize the information in this video when I start to canter. BUT….I’ll definitely try the ‘flap like a duck’ tip when I feel like I’m starting to grip.
LOVE it! We can't wait to hear how it goes for you trying it out x
Yes to Ash interview
YAY! x
Thankyou Ash you are Amazing! I'm guilty of gripping and I'm going to make it my goal to stop! 🤞🤞🤞Flap like a duck and engage my core instead if I can find it 🤣 Thanks Guys 💥💥💥x
You got this, Laura! Tell us how you go trying this out x
Flap like a duck and only squeeze&hold for stop love this!! Just to clarify, do you squeeze and hold for a trot to walk and walk to halt but just rise from a canter to trot? :)
Hi Emma! Yes you can just start riding to go from canter to trot :]
I rode today and in my canter trot I had you in my head “flap like a duck” 😂
LOVE it!! How did it go? x
Love the flap like a duck. So far that works the best for helping me stop clenching/clamping with my legs. I still struggle with tucking the butt under but not rounding my back and shoulders....and keeping my reins short enough. All at the same time. And even weight in the stirrups and sitting in the correct spot and.... 🤣
I am sure you will get there. Keep doing what you are doing. :)
Fantastic job.
Thank you! Cheers!
How good was the q&a - I am not there yet but how insightful 🤯
YESS! Love it, Nadia! Thanks for watching x
Hi Ash and Alecia!!! Great video!!
Ash- why wouldn't we want an interview with you again?! You're this super awesome girl who rode in New Zealand?! My god, I've dreamt of going there my whole life, I hear it's gorgeous there..youve made so much progress from having had all that time off in like zero time at all..you're practically a celebrity to yrs viewers I'd think! ⭐
Super helpful watching this. Sometimes I actually feel I need to let my stirrups go to when I canter especially going to the right for some reason. AND flap like a 🦆. I definitely need to remember to try this more! But also head in the middle of the chest reminders as like a compass sort of. I really liked that. Thank guys!!! 🤩
You are most welcome, Jesse!! :) Thanks so much for your kind words!
Can't wait to try flap like a duck. I'm a horrible clincher.
Woohoo! Super exciting! Tell us how you go x
Can you explain why you counter flex to get roundness a bit more. I have been trying this with my OTTB and it definitely helps, but I don’t really understand why
Hi Eva! In this case counter flexion was used as a way to help get Gee more straight which helps with connection x
Much bettaaaahhh! 😉
Terima ksih untuk informasi ya sangat membantu untuk 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Glad you find it super helpful! Thanks for watching x
😇😇😇😇
I like this your videos it will help me with horse and I'm doing so do with my horse Nannette
We can't wait for you to try these tips out! x
@@YourRidingSuccess You are welcome I will try this win I ride my with my horse training and I have a horse training and she is helping me how to ride my horse the right way Nannette
Love it x
@@YourRidingSuccess thank you Nannette and you are welcome Nannette
Hi Alicia, and team, a great video. It’s nice to see the way things can change when being talked through it. I have used the flap analogy.. mines a bit more like a sparrow than a duck, it gets him a little hyped up atm. I can’t master the non sit position through up and down transitions. The benefits are noticeable on your horses. I have always sat between every transition. Can you please explain it for me. Rising in canter to trot is the hardest one.. I think Ash has come a long way, she is so much more confident. Thanks again guys. Vick from Oz.
Hi Vicki! Thanks so much for tuning in! What are you finding happening when you try to rise when in canter? x
If a young horse has 2 riders and only 1 is doing dressage, can I still learn her this way of doing the transition, or should I also teach the other rider to do it like this?
Hi Nynke! Thanks so much for reaching out! Ideally you want to teach the horse one aid for what you are asking so they don't get confused xx
Ready and waiting
Woohoo!
Love your metaphors also!! What are jelly hands?
Hi Kay! Just a reminder to be soft and not rigid with the hands xx
@@YourRidingSuccess thanks!!!
How do you know how short to have your reins? have told a few riders in different videos to shorten them. and is this all the time or just for a time while you work on something?
Hi Caroline! You want the reins to be short enought that you have consistent contact and no loops but not that you are pulling back x
Dear Alicia. But how to transition when I want to change into sitting trot not rising trot? I looove your chanel
Hello! We will get back to you on this one x
I admit, I may be a knee gripper! LOL! I am trying to remind myself of the 80% rule in the stirrups then I shouldn't be knee gripping.
You got this! x
I have some of those " engraved habits" 😜
Thanks for sharing, Regina! x
I know the basis of the transitions but it's just those little mistakes that make the canter transition less smooth and less balanced. This video will really help, especially with a real life example with a rider👍😁😉
Thanks for watching - we can't wait for you to try these tips out x
yup.
🥰
My coach doesn’t really get what I’m doing whenever I “flap like a duck” LOL… it has helped though…
So glad to hear! :)
I wish my horse was like yours. Mine races off in our downward transition to trot and goes so fast I lose my balance because I can't keep up with her. If I use the rein her head goes right up. Unfortunately, I suppose I have to accept she will never be a dressage horse. ☹️
Hi Marlee!! Thank you so much for sharing! We would hate for you to continue to struggle and think your horse can't do dressage! Would you be able to reach out to us at support@yourridingsuccess.com? x
Alicia could you please tone down your "Hello Superstars" intro - I use earspods & you enthusiasm blows my head off. When I'm busy I listen to your playlist & can't turn down my volume quick enough when your next program starts. Thanks for your help & your love of sharing. I'm a western rider from Wyoming! THANK YOU!
Noted! Sorry!! :)
Hello, could I get some help on loan with view to buy please?
Hi Contreem! Thank you for reaching out! Can you elaborate more on what you want help with x
Just out of curiosity, why are you over-flexing the horse’s neck past the vertical? That’s bound to cause permanent damage to the horse’s neck
I’m only 7 minutes in, but it seems that they were working to improve this starting at around 4 minutes in. It’s much better at the point I’m at now. (I don’t know yet if it becomes a problem again later in the lesson).
Hi Laurel! Thanks so much for tuning in and your question! As mentioned in the reply from Panther Flow, connection is one of the things we are working on in this lesson with Ash and Gee. If you watch the video fully you will see Alicia gives Ash instructions to help Gee carry himself and avoid going behind the vertical x