Cold-backed Colt

The climb produces perseverance, and the reward is the view you get (from being able to stay in the saddle) from the top !

How to:

1. From puddle pony, lift hips up

2. Press ground away from shoulders

3. Activate core to support back

4. Stabilize with the feet as you lower

Don't do:

1. Lock shoulders and scrunch neck

2. Bend knees and forget toes

3. Creep up and down with the feet

4. Solely press from the shoulders

This is an active pose we will lift and lower into, from Puddle Pony. Using our forearms to push the ground away from our shoulders, we gain strength. Using our hips to lift away from our feet, that push into the ground simultaneously. We do not want to collapse the upper body and lock the arms. The legs and arms work together in allowing the back to stretch straight and long, and then straight and lifted at an incline. Being able to have an awareness of where our body is while being upside down, is key in becoming more coordinated. Learning how to breath while still holding the appropriate quality (for your level) of the position builds an incredible amount of focus and endurance from a mental stand point.

Ride and Apply:

Riding does require strength in the shoulders, even though good technique says we shouldn't only operate from the upper body when we ride. When we work on developing the mobility and strength in our upper body, it gives us a better chance to maintain a stable posture when we are in the saddle. Mobilizing exercises like this help build our skill to handle different level and different styles of horses. Not every horse will ride the same, so when we are able to have steadfast leadership, unimpeded by our body, we can teach him well. Practicing this exercise also allows us to keep out of our horse's way in quick turns, so we don't have to use his mouth or the saddle horn to complete rely on for our balance.

Try it:

A cold-backed colt is a phrase we use when maybe the colt isn't necessarily 'warmed-up' all the way, and he gets to bucking around. We want to make sure our body is good and warmed up so we are prepared to handle and guide anything that our horse will need to be ridden through. If you have a phone to video this movement on, you can evaluate your attempts at Cold-backed Colt to see where you need adjustment. Keep in mind the same principles as all the other positions apply to this pose as well. And micro adjustments when you are learning to be consistent are helpful, versus forcing your self to remain in a frame.