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On the Abdominals page I wrote that I think the difference between very good i.e. effective riders and those who are struggling with some aspect of their riding is the use (or lack) of the abdominal muscles. As these (combined with the concertina effect of the lumbar muscles) help to hold the pelvis in the vertical, neutral position. I also think this is the original meaning of the German "Kreuz anspannen" which got translated to "Brace the back" when the literal meaning is "Flex the loins"
I can understand
that when looking at words in isolation for translation that we can become somewhat side-tracked. I don't suppose many books will give the translation for "Kreuz Anspannen"<g>. I have also heard the term "Kreuz Anziehen" used which translates literally as "pull the back in".
Did you look up the word "Kreuz" though?
It doesn't mean "Back" - that would be "Rücken". Kreuz specifically refers to the
small of the back i.e.
the lumbar/sacral area. So the term "Flex your loins" takes on a much more significant meaning, don't you think? In medical terms "flex" means "bend" - just to complicate matters further ;-) In the original German meaning of the phrase the intimation is to flex AND release, flex and release in time with the horse's footfalls. It all boils down to timing; get it wrong and you prevent the horse doing what you're asking. You block the movement so it becomes harsh or leaden. Get it right; cloud nine, seventh Heaven, smooth and flowing.
So you see in any
instruction to "flex/brace/contain" there is a tacit understanding (although it probably doesn’t get explained enough) that it should instantly followed by a RELEASE. So the aid becomes - once again in synchronisation of the horse's rhythm:
Ask
Release
Wait (monitor reaction)
Ask
Release
Wait
For as many times as is needed. A young horse or a retrainee may need many more
requests than a more experienced, advanced horse.
This is one of those missing pieces of the puzzle that so few riders even ask about; probably because they are even
unaware that there is something missing. Once the question is asked it usually means there is no going back as there are so many other questions that follow on.
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