Dancing Horse Farm
Virginia Ahlers
PO Box 234
Danboro, PA 18916
215.778.4162

  AIKIDO

In 1999, I began studying the martial art of Aikido to help my riding by improving focus, balance, timing and relaxation. I then soon discovered that Aikido can develop much more. The basic principle in Aikido is to be so "in tune" with your partner that you can sense that person's intentions and take advantage of their momentum.
Wouldn't you love to be able to know before your horse spooks and be able to control the reactions?
In Aikido, a smaller weaker person can control a larger stronger partner. Horses are even larger and stronger and we cannot "force" them to do anything. We must control the mind to control the body. Be "in tune" with the horse. Focus on the horse, maintain balance, relax and capture its mind.

In Aikido as well as horsemanship, one must understand your partner and share their feelings. The goal is not to inflict pain, but to create harmony.

Sensei Shioda says, "Aikido is not concerned merely with relationships between people; it is a form of training in which the Aikdoka [student] learns to harmonize with nature through the practice of natural techniques. A movement that is awkward or forced cannot be Aikido." (Shioda, p.16) This is true of horsemanship as well. Working with your horse should be a fluid and graceful partnership. You need to work with your horse, not against its nature.

Another aspect of Aikido is "ki" or your energy. You can focus your energy on a certain point and your body unconsciously sends your body in that direction.

"When you perform [ki exercises], you shouldn't feel as though you are "muscling" your way through them. Developing one's ki in large part involves finding that place between minimal muscular effort and maximum effectiveness. It involves a great deal of visualization, focus and faith." (Suenaka and Watson, p.211)

Jumping instructors always tell their students to look for the next jump as you round the corner. As you approach it, you change your focus through the jump to a point further ahead. "Always look where you want your horse to go" is a common comment from instructors. As you send your energy, your "ki", to the left, your body shifts in the saddle, your weight in your seatbones shifts a little to the left, your right leg slides back adding slight pressure to the horse's side, your hands shift, shortening the left rein. Your horse goes left smoothly and easily, without you having to concentrate on the physical cues. As your horse learns to respond to your subtle focal cue, your rein and leg aids become lighter.


Reference:
Shioda, G. (1968). "Dynamic Aikido." Translated by Geoffrey Hamilton. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd.

Suenaka, R. and Watson C. (1997). Complete Aikido. Boston: Tuttle Publishing.