EquiPosture

The Ready List could have been designed specifically just for equestrians. In fact some aspects of it were developed over many years as a part of Sue Merry's work with riders. 

Benefits 

• Teaches the rider how to find a calm and centred state.
• This state allows the horse to clearly receive any communication without the confusion caused by the 'white noise' of muscle tension and an over reactive nervous system.
• Gives the rider the possibility of consciously creating a state of oneness with the horse.
• In competition, gives the rider the possibility of consciously entering the field of awareness commonly called 'the zone'.
• It works really well with transitions and this is, in fact, a great way to practice it.
• Horses love it! Your state of being directly affects your horse. The horse really struggles to be focused, centred and calm in activity if you are feeling scattered and stressed or simply struggling to 'get it right'.

If you have not already done so, take a look at the TRL general info and quick-start guide on this site. ALL ABOUT THE READY LIST

Try This

• When you are ready to try TRL for yourself we suggest that you simply start with      halt and walk, transitioning up and down.
• To begin with let your focus be mainly on applying TRL rather than strongly focusing on how the horse is responding to your aids.
• Maybe even get someone to lead your horse for your first few tries and until you feel you understand what you are doing.
• Instead of trying to make something happen, either with yourself or with your horse, just relax into the experience and notice how you are feeling and what is happening in your body.
• You can't 'get it wrong'. Your experience is uniquely yours, slow down and relax into it.
• If you give the correct attention to using TRL the results will take care of themselves.
• Ideally work with an Alexander teacher. 
• If it is not possible to do this in a mounted session, try to get a few Alexander lessons anyway. The hands on work in a lesson is the quickest way to learn how to activate TRL.
• You might be happily surprised by your horse's reactions!

Watch our video introduction to TRL for Equestrians