Dyspraxic horse rider here?

[lightdys]

Hello !

There are dyspraxic horse rider in this forum?

I'm myself a horse rider with dyspraxia and I would like contact others horse rider with this problem to exchanges tips to progress.

And, really sorry for my probable grammar mistakes: I'm french and I have difficulties to speak English. Don't hesitate to corrige me !

See you soon !

[Jim]

With exception of a wooden rocking horse (when a wee nipper) I don't think I've even ridden a horse before.

Secretly I'd quite like to give it a go though as I have a rather odd fantasy of being a chivalric knight. Although knowing my general lack of co-ordination I doubt my horsemanship would be very good

[LGC2108]

I used to ride horses when I was young, which was very challenging but enjoyable.

[Minilin24]

I have been riding since the age of 11 when I was also diagnosed with Dyspraxia.

My co-ordination came on leaps and bounds after starting I would HIGHLY recommend it to any Dyspraxic out there!!

[Clumsynat]

I'm new here and new to the idea of dyspraxia, I've always been labelled as clumsy, 'ham fisted', careless and other likes. I'm super aware of my clumsiness which I will elaborate on in a proper topic, but on the subject of riding horses I found that it helped a great deal with my 'clumsiness' (I haven't had a diagnosis but the more I research the more it fits me to a T!) I started riding at about 7 and went solo on a pony about 9 and up until that point left and right totally baffled me, doing everything from the left on a horse really helped to instill it in my brain, I have what would probably seem to others as a terribly complicated way of working it out when away from a horse but it works. I also think it helped with my balance and co-ordination and muscle strength as I rode as I was growing and developing and because I was so aware of my clumsy nature I was extra extra careful around horses when I first started so as not to scare them. I don't ride so much now but I do have my own horse and he's probably the most understanding of me and my ways - he's a big horse and I sometimes still manage to misjudge walking around him and walk right into him - I swear he rolls his eyes and tuts at me lol

[janetp]

Hi, I have been involved with horses for over 30 years and about 15 years ago trained as an Alexander Technique Teacher, which was a three year fill time training. since then I have been teaching the technique to riders and others( usually with physical pain and difficulties). I found from doing the technique my life has completely changed. My coordination is better but the most beneficial thing from it all is that my nervousness and anxiety of life has eased immensely.

But as for horse riding the Alexander is a wonderful thing because its about learning to not try harder to do less and let the natural reflexes and posture do its thing (if at first you don't succeed don't try harder) cause all that's going to do is cause tension anxiety and holding and the horse is going to respond in kind. Its about having self carriage yourself so the horse then is free to move underneath you carrying you with its own self carriage. Your back gets much stronger and life gets easier physically.

Anyway I don't want to push but I am available to converse if you want to know more. Top Dressage riders use the Alexander Technique so that they can have better communication with the horse and flow better with the movements doing less but still staying strong.( I am very casual about the subject just a little enthusiastic is all and aware that I don't want to go all hyper on the great way it works in riding, don't want to go all dyspraxic and scare people)

[screengreen]

Hi there, just stumbled across this thread, just thought I would let you all know that there is a neurological basis for horse riding improving co-ordination and reducing anxiety. In simple terms horse riding gives you a lot of feedback as to where your body and head is in space and it is thought that when you don`t know where your body is then you can`t move it properly. It will reduce anxiety as heavy work helps you to get your awareness right. If anyone wants to know more take a look at the Ssensory integration network website!

[lightdys]

Hi !

Thanks you for your sentences ! All your testimonies are very interresting !

I have posted this subject because I practice horse riding for a long time. And, I have a dyspraxia visuo spatial and a Little Syndrom.

So, I have some difficulties and I would like to progress. That why, I wanted talk with others dyspraxic horse riders to exchange any tips.


[quote="until that point left and right totally baffled me, doing everything from the left on a horse really helped to instill it in my brain,"

I have what would probably seem to others as a terribly complicated way of working it out when away from a horse but it works."

Yes, me too, I have problems with right and left, Clumsynat ! I try to use gloves of different coulour (a red, a blue) to make difference !