Perfecting your position in the saddle takes constant effort – being aware of our weak areas and trying to correct them. But constantly analysing yourself can seriously affect your self-belief and confidence.

Sarah Davenport at EquiMotion and Alysen Starko-Bowes from Franklin Method Equestrian explain the Franklin Method and how it can help riders.

What is the Franklin Method?

The Franklin Method has been around for almost 30 years and was created by Eric Franklin. Initially the method helped dancers to reduce injury and improve performance.

Now it’s used worldwide to help all types of athletes, including horse riders, to improve their movement and competitive performance.

Body and mind

“As a rider you need good coordination and balance in your own body to be able to adapt to the constant movement of your horse beneath you,” explains Alysen. “You also need to be mentally focused to connect and communicate clearly with him.”

“The Franklin Method combines anatomical embodiment and imagery to improve your awareness, train the mind-body connection and produce efficient movement.”

By practicing the Franklin Method you’ll become more aware of not only your own movement in the saddle, but also the movement of your horse. With this increased awareness the connection between you and your horse will become clearer and more harmonious.

“It teaches you how to gain control of your thinking and, in particular, how to use imagery to create a clear focus,” says Alysen. “You can use your mind to change your movement and this is made much easier by using imagery. This is what makes the Franklin Method different.”

Dismounted exercises

  • Stand quietly, close your eyes and take a few minutes to understand how your body is feeling.
  • After doing this for a few minutes, do a few slow squats.
  • As you squat down focus your attention and awareness on the pelvic area and how your seat bones move.

You can repeat the above exercise in the saddle. Start in walk and consider how your body feels. Don’t try to analyse your position, just focus on what you’re feeling as you’re walking.

Your natural position is the base line, what you can compete everything to.

Bring on the balls

Now you’re more aware of your natural position and how your body moves, it’s time to bring on the balls.

There are lots of different types, with different textures and sizes. What you’re concentrating on when you use the balls is proprioception – your awareness of your body’s position and movement. The balls are used in different areas of the body, for example, under the pelvis, inside your thigh and under your arms.

The balls act to heighten your awareness of your body, making you sit deeper and more secure in the saddle.

Also, when you get better awareness in one part of your body it improves your flexibility in other areas too. it’s not just limited to where you place the balls, it’s about getting that coordination and communication going.

Find out more about how the Franklin Method can help your riding, in the July, August, September 2020 issues of Your Horse. 

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