Harmony Riding

Some good rides this week!

I was doing some work, but then I got distracted so I made this instead. 👀🤩🐴👍 Shop my books at: www.elaineheneybooks.com

Jumping: when enthusiasm hides limitation

This can be a sensitive topic, because very often I hear:
“My horse loves jumping.”

And I want to be clear from the outset — I am not against jumping.
I don’t believe horses should never jump. Variety in work is important, and yes, some horses can jump in a way that is healthy and sustainable.

However… there are a lot of horses jumping that simply shouldn’t be — at least not in the way they currently are.

And here’s why.

Jumping magnifies what already exists

Many horses, even without a fence in front of them, already struggle with:
• Loading the hind leg correctly
• Lowering the pelvis
• Transferring force from back to front through the spine
• Carrying weight rather than pushing it forward

If a horse cannot engage and organise its body on the flat, it will not magically do so over a fence.

Jumping doesn’t fix weakness.
Jumping exposes it.

Compensation looks like confidence — but isn’t

When a horse lacks the capacity to:
• Lower the hindquarters
• Use the lumbosacral area effectively
• Drive energy through the spine

…it has to find another way to get the job done.

Most commonly, that looks like:
• Speed
• Tension
• A dramatic front-end lift at the base of the fence
• A “chuck and go” effort followed by running away on landing

This is not true bascule.
This is not smooth force transfer.
This is compensation.

And compensation is expensive on the body.

Adrenaline is not enjoyment

Adrenaline is incredibly good at masking:
• Fear
• Tension
• Discomfort
• Pain

A horse that looks keen, fast, or over-enthusiastic is not automatically a horse that feels good in its body.

Often, you can see the truth in:
• The approach to the fence
• The rigidity through the back
• The lack of control in the landing
• The need to run away afterwards

That’s not confidence — that’s a nervous system switched into survival.

A note on “hunter’s bump”

There’s a long-held belief that a prominent pelvis or “hunter’s bump” means a horse is a good jumper.

In reality, that visible structure often indicates dysfunction at the lumbosacral junction — the exact area needed to:
• Transfer force from pelvis to spine
• Lift the front end correctly
• Round through the back

If that connection isn’t working well, the horse cannot transmit power efficiently, no matter how brave or willing it is.

Balance matters — hugely

A horse that carries too much weight on the forehand will:
• Struggle to lift the front end
• Overload the landing structures
• Rely on speed rather than strength

Jumping amplifies imbalance.
It doesn’t correct it.

So what should jumping look like?

Healthy jumping involves:
• Engagement and lowering of the hindquarters
• Energy travelling through the spine
• Lift and rounding of the front end
• Controlled, organised landing

If those pieces are missing, the answer is not more fences — it’s better preparation.

The priority should always be the horse

Jumping should be:
• Done in moderation
• Built on correct function
• Supported by groundwork and flatwork that improve balance, strength, and alignment

Because a horse that can jump well biomechanically doesn’t need adrenaline to get over a fence — it has the physical capacity to do so.

And that’s where soundness, comfort, and longevity live.

Let's Talk About What Riding Lessons Actually Cost (And What You're Really Paying For)

I see it in Facebook groups all the time: "How much should I charge for lessons?" or "Why are riding lessons so expensive?!"

So let's break this down for instructors trying to price fairly AND for students/parents wondering what they're actually paying for.

Riding lessons aren't cheap. Depending on your area, you're looking at:
$40-$60 for group lessons
$60-$100+ for private lessons

More for specialized instruction or top-level trainers. Yeah, riding is expensive. Here's why...

The Horse (The Biggest Cost)
A reliable, well-trained lesson horse costs:
- $5,000-$20,000+ to purchase (sometimes more)
- $500-$800+ monthly to keep (board, feed, farrier, vet)
- Training and maintenance to stay safe and sound
- Insurance
- Tack and equipment ($1,000+ per horse)

Do the math: One lesson horse costs $6,000-$10,000+ annually just to maintain and more depending on your area and if that horse medical needs such as injections, etc. If that horse teaches 15 lessons per week, each lesson needs to contribute roughly $10-$15 just to cover THAT HORSE'S costs.

The Instructor
You're not just paying for 45-60 minutes of instruction. You're paying for:
- Years (sometimes decades) of riding experience
- Training and certifications
- Expertise in keeping students safe
- Ability to match horses to riders
- Lesson planning and program development
- First aid and emergency response skills

Good instructors don't just show up... they've invested thousands of hours and dollars into becoming qualified.

The Facility
- Arena maintenance and footing ($$$)
- Barn upkeep and repairs
- Utilities (water, electric, heat in some cases)
- Insurance (liability insurance is EXPENSIVE)
- Property taxes or rent
- Equipment (jumps, poles, cones, etc.)

Risk
Horses are unpredictable 1,200-lb animals. Instructors carry:
- Liability insurance (often $1,000-$3,000+ annually)
- Risk of lawsuits
- Responsibility for student safety
- Physical risk (instructors get hurt too)

You're paying for someone willing to take on that risk to teach you safely.

WHAT STUDENTS ACTUALLY GET:
Yes, you're paying for riding instruction but you're getting SO much more:
✅ Physical fitness: Core strength, balance, coordination, cardiovascular health
✅ Mental health benefits: Stress relief, outdoor time, connection with animals, mindfulness
✅ Life skills: Responsibility, patience, problem-solving, resilience when things don't go perfectly
✅ Emotional development: Confidence, managing fear, emotional regulation, empathy
✅ Social connections: Barn community, friendships with people who share your passion
✅ Character building: Work ethic, humility, caring for another living being
✅ Unique experiences: How many sports let you partner with a 1,200-lb animal?
✅ Skills that transfer: Focus, body awareness, communication, reading non-verbal cues

You're not just paying to sit on a horse for an hour. You're investing in personal growth, physical health, and experiences you can't get anywhere else.

FOR PARENTS WONDERING IF IT'S WORTH IT...

I've watched riding transform kids:
- The anxious child who finds confidence
- The hyper kid who learns focus and patience
- The quiet kid who opens up while grooming
- The struggling student who finds their "thing"

Can soccer or piano do that? Sure, sometimes but there's something unique about the horse-human partnership that creates growth you can't replicate elsewhere.

FOR INSTRUCTORS STRUGGLING WITH PRICING:
Don't undervalue yourself trying to be "affordable." When you charge too little:
- You can't afford quality horses
- You can't maintain your facility properly
- You burn out working 60-hour weeks
- Your program suffers
- Eventually, you can't sustain the business

Charge what you're worth. The right clients will pay it. Students who only want the cheapest option often aren't the ones who stick around anyway.

Riding lessons are expensive because horses are expensive, facilities are expensive, insurance is expensive, and qualified instruction is valuable. But what you GET - the skills, the growth, the experiences, the joy... is priceless.

If you're a student/parent: Understand what you're truly paying for. It's not just an hour on a horse.

If you're an instructor: Don't apologize for charging what your services are worth. Quality costs money.

And if you're on the fence about whether riding lessons are worth the investment?
Ask anyone who rides. We'll tell you - it's worth every single penny.

Instructors: What do you wish students understood about lesson costs?

💪🏼 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

✨ aka the reason your horse feels heavy, hollow, or just not right ✨

Hot take 🔥
If your horse feels heavy on the forehand, it’s not a training problem.
It’s not a bit problem.
It’s not a “they just lean” problem.

👉🏼 It’s a thoracic sling problem.

The thoracic sling 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞 it’s a muscular support system that suspends the ribcage between the front legs…
because horses do not have a collarbone.

So if this system can’t lift?
The horse literally has nowhere to go but down.

🧠 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫?

When it’s functioning correctly, it allows the horse to:

🔥 Lift the withers
🔥 Free up the shoulder for true reach
🔥 Absorb concussion through muscle instead of joints
🔥 Stay balanced without leaning on the rider’s hands

When it’s weak, restricted, or shut down… 👇🏼

🧬 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠:

• 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬 – the primary “sling” muscle that lifts the ribcage
• 𝐏𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 – stabilize the front end and assist in limb control
• 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐳𝐢𝐮𝐬 – supports wither lift and shoulder movement
• 𝐑𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐬 – help elevate and stabilize the scapula

🧠 Think of this system like a suspension bridge:
If the cables aren’t doing their job, the whole structure collapses forward.

🚩 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐛:

• Heavy or dull in the bridle
• Short, stabby front limbs
• Tripping or toe-dragging “for no reason”
• Tight lower neck + sore, guarded pecs
• A hollow back that won’t stay round no matter what you do

And here’s the spicy truth 🌶️
You cannot fix this by pulling their head down.

No gadget.
No frame chasing.
No stronger hands.

❌ Posture does not create strength.
✔️ Strength creates posture.

🛠️ 𝐒𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠?

✔️ Slow, correct work (yes… boring before brilliant)
✔️ Walk work that actually develops posture and control
✔️ Cavalettis done with organization, not speed
✔️ Transitions that lift the ribcage instead of dumping it forward
✔️ Bodywork to clear fascial restrictions so muscles can fire, not just exist

⚠️ You cannot strengthen a muscle that’s stuck in protection.

🧠 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬:

Strength does not come from tension.
It comes from support, coordination, and capacity.

If the front end can’t lift, the rest of the body will compensate.
Every. Single. Time.

Fix the sling → change the horse.

Want another muscle group next week?
Drop a 💪🏼 in the comments!

Remember - no lessons this week! We are closed for Christmas break.

Have you heard? We are now offering private lessons. We are dedicated to the growth and learning of our students and are excited to be able to provide focused 1 on 1 instruction to everyone in our program.

Some photos from our awesome clinic last week with Alpine Performance Horses.