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BORN TO RUN
The first and most important thing we need to appreciate about horses is that unlike humans, horses do not have collar bones connecting their front legs to the rest of their skeleton.
This adaptation increases the range of motion of their front legs, which helps horses to cover the ground quickly and it gives them the ability to clear objects in their path with the greatest of ease.
It is this very running and jumping ability and capacity for shock absorption that underpins horses’ long association with mankind.
In place of a collarbone, horses’ front legs are connected to the spine and ribcage at the shoulder by a group muscles, tendons and ligaments called the Thoracic Sling. The chest is suspended between the front legs and the horse relies on a healthy functioning Thoracic Sling for its core stability.
Horses bear 60% of their weight on their front legs. To have a long and healthy life as a riding horse, and to protect the joints from excessive wear and tear some of this 60% must be taken up by the hind end.
By engaging the Thoracic Sling a healthy horse can raise their chest up, free their shoulders, allow the hind leg to come forward toward the midline where the rider sits, lift the rider and itself up and forwards as their centre of gravity shifts backwards.
If the horse is weak for some reason, if their Thoracic Sling becomes compromised, they resort to holding and steadying their ribcage with their elbows. This is a commonly occurring dis-functional movement that leads to a chain of events and braces as the horse attempts to stabilise itself in the absence of core strength.
In the video below, Belinda describes the functioning of the Thoracic Sling and illustrates exercises to strengthen and rehabilitate a compromised suspensory system, release nerve compression and allow the horse to rediscover or recover its vertical and horizonal balance – its core stability.
If this looks like advanced work, or is unfamiliar to you, be assured that Belinda’s coaching always takes the individual student into account. She will guide you through the straightforward, achievable and satisfying steps of your coaching programme on your path towards Mastery.
KEY BENEFITS OF BELINDA'S COACHING
CLARITY & PURPOSE
Train with clarity and purpose. Chart your progress and succeed, meet your personal goals and objectives with Belinda’s guidance.
Experience accelerated learning and refinement of your abilities during the end-of-session assessment and homework.
TAILORED COACHING
As a rider, your coaching sessions will target your needs and the needs of your horse.
Belinda will show you specifically where your horse needs to let go of physical and emotional braces which will allow them to develop strength, flexibility and a can-do attitude.
STAY CONNECTED
The Academy Community Room is a private meeting place where students collaborate and exchange ideas.
The Webinar Forum is an exclusive collaborative space created for you and your fellow students as part of each online Masterclass package.
MULTIPLE PLATFORMS
Belinda offers a comprehensive and interactive experience using multiple platforms presenting a seamless, continuous interactive experience.
Masterclasses
Topic Webinars
Live stream Facebook events
Private Lessons
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Rebecca Donaldson
It has been a very very long time since I have been well enough to start to get regular work in with my horses. Over the last 3 weeks I have been doing our Master Class Clinic Online with Belinda Bolsenbroek. These classes were brilliant so many AhHa moments and Penny Drops. Then Saturday I took all these Pennies and AhHa’s to Kassie Southwell and with her awesomeness we made great progress on our Half Pass and Pirouette. So excited for Coffs in August can’t wait to show you our best Belinda, I owe you so much. Thank you Xx.
Karen Groneng
The trainer that's changed the life of both my horses and myself. instructs in classical dressage, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. Her understanding of equine and human biomechanics, her ability to break it down to step by step instructions to allow the horse and the rider find their perfect balance within their physical limitations, her ability to assist in removing those physical limitations, her passion, her communication skills, her willingness to be open and inclusive all makes her an instructor that more people should have the opportunity to engage with.
