hunterseat df: Hunter Seat Equitation is a division that is judged on the ability and the style of the rider. The riders can be judged both over fences and on the flat.
Although true, hunters DO eat, at least the skilled ones do, my name derives from the world of horses.
And because the word hunter is in my name, people automatically think I'm a guy. Not even close.
Whenever I meet someone named Hunter I have to bite my tongue to keep from saying "That's my name, too!"
Although true, hunters DO eat, at least the skilled ones do, my name derives from the world of horses.
And because the word hunter is in my name, people automatically think I'm a guy. Not even close.
Whenever I meet someone named Hunter I have to bite my tongue to keep from saying "That's my name, too!"
Muscle Memory Saves the Day!
Posted 06-23-2017 at 06:28 PM by hunterseat
Actually, muscle memory will save your life. Did you even know you have muscle memory?
One of my favorite examples is the seasoned driver, possibly middle age, been driving for decades. I'll assume you join me in that category.
You're driving down a street, cars parked on both sides. Automatically your brain is scanning for pedestrians who will magically appear between the cars. You're distracted by a party going on in the park to the left. You nod approvingly at the convertible sports car that you wish you owned as it drives past. You notice the cross street has a strange name and you smile, thinking about the way your dad always made rhymes out of strange street names. All of this is going on and the light turns red just ahead. Without even thinking, your foot is on the brake and you stop, still taking in your surroundings. Good example of muscle memory and thank goodness it's there when things get hairy and the guy cuts you off on the freeway and you spill your coffee as you react with one hand, at 60 mph, and there's a car merging on at the same time. Oh well. At least the coffee went on the floor and not on you. (It's fiction, something good can come of this!)
Here's another example of how awesome your muscle memory is. You're in a hurry, running late and jump in the shower. You have a routine that works well in fast-forward speed. Shampoo, soap rag, start with arms, etc. You're scrubbing 90mph in there and it takes just about 45 seconds to hit everything. (okay, not everyone went to Marine Corps boot camp like I did but trust me. 45 seconds is plenty of time) But now you wrap that washcloth around your finger and hit the right ear, switch hands and get your left ear. When you think about the shape of your ear, for your finger to know exactly where to swipe and turn and go back the other way. Seems simple, I know. You're not even thinking about it. That's because you've had that ear for your whole life and, once you passed puberty, you washed it every day.
Muscle memory is something that long-time horse people are thankful for. Many of us grew up riding then we had to adult. Between school, career and raising kids, we took a way-too-long hiatus away from something we love. Usually by the time we're in our 40's, we can no longer stifle (no pun intended, horse people) our inner equestrienne.
So I had my horse and he was a bit of a nutcase. I had a bareback pad and, by golly, I wanted to use it. Just a pad to sit on with no handle
or stirrups for my feet. I rode bareback all the time growing up - I hated my saddle. So I took a big gulp and made the decision. Next trail ride was bareback. My horse was very good but got his usual crazy spell when we came across a saber tooth butterfly. I stuck right with him. No problems!! Muscle memory came through for me. My legs remembered what to do, even if my brain wasn't entirely sure it was a good idea.
I have a friend, a Baptist preacher. He decided in his 40's he should be a rodeo bull fighter, aka clown. Plus keep preaching. (maybe it's a good idea to keep God close when you're in the ring with a 2000lb animal that wants to kill you). He had to learn, had to develop muscle memory to keep himself alive. No second chances. No time to hesitate. He calls it saving the bacon when the kitchen's on fire.
Anyway, starting something when you're in your 40's is a whole lot harder than when you're a kid, but it's not impossible. Still, the men who decide to buy a Harley when they never even rode dirt bikes as kids are not the safest bikers on the road. And the women who decide to make a dream come true by owning a horse when they never rode as a child are the ones prone to get badly hurt. Don't get me wrong, I fall off. I don't bounce as easily either but so far, I've been pretty good at getting back up.
Just like falling off a bike. Or just like riding a bike. You don't forget how. Muscle memory.
One of my favorite examples is the seasoned driver, possibly middle age, been driving for decades. I'll assume you join me in that category.
You're driving down a street, cars parked on both sides. Automatically your brain is scanning for pedestrians who will magically appear between the cars. You're distracted by a party going on in the park to the left. You nod approvingly at the convertible sports car that you wish you owned as it drives past. You notice the cross street has a strange name and you smile, thinking about the way your dad always made rhymes out of strange street names. All of this is going on and the light turns red just ahead. Without even thinking, your foot is on the brake and you stop, still taking in your surroundings. Good example of muscle memory and thank goodness it's there when things get hairy and the guy cuts you off on the freeway and you spill your coffee as you react with one hand, at 60 mph, and there's a car merging on at the same time. Oh well. At least the coffee went on the floor and not on you. (It's fiction, something good can come of this!)
Here's another example of how awesome your muscle memory is. You're in a hurry, running late and jump in the shower. You have a routine that works well in fast-forward speed. Shampoo, soap rag, start with arms, etc. You're scrubbing 90mph in there and it takes just about 45 seconds to hit everything. (okay, not everyone went to Marine Corps boot camp like I did but trust me. 45 seconds is plenty of time) But now you wrap that washcloth around your finger and hit the right ear, switch hands and get your left ear. When you think about the shape of your ear, for your finger to know exactly where to swipe and turn and go back the other way. Seems simple, I know. You're not even thinking about it. That's because you've had that ear for your whole life and, once you passed puberty, you washed it every day.
Muscle memory is something that long-time horse people are thankful for. Many of us grew up riding then we had to adult. Between school, career and raising kids, we took a way-too-long hiatus away from something we love. Usually by the time we're in our 40's, we can no longer stifle (no pun intended, horse people) our inner equestrienne.
So I had my horse and he was a bit of a nutcase. I had a bareback pad and, by golly, I wanted to use it. Just a pad to sit on with no handle
or stirrups for my feet. I rode bareback all the time growing up - I hated my saddle. So I took a big gulp and made the decision. Next trail ride was bareback. My horse was very good but got his usual crazy spell when we came across a saber tooth butterfly. I stuck right with him. No problems!! Muscle memory came through for me. My legs remembered what to do, even if my brain wasn't entirely sure it was a good idea. I have a friend, a Baptist preacher. He decided in his 40's he should be a rodeo bull fighter, aka clown. Plus keep preaching. (maybe it's a good idea to keep God close when you're in the ring with a 2000lb animal that wants to kill you). He had to learn, had to develop muscle memory to keep himself alive. No second chances. No time to hesitate. He calls it saving the bacon when the kitchen's on fire.
Anyway, starting something when you're in your 40's is a whole lot harder than when you're a kid, but it's not impossible. Still, the men who decide to buy a Harley when they never even rode dirt bikes as kids are not the safest bikers on the road. And the women who decide to make a dream come true by owning a horse when they never rode as a child are the ones prone to get badly hurt. Don't get me wrong, I fall off. I don't bounce as easily either but so far, I've been pretty good at getting back up.
Just like falling off a bike. Or just like riding a bike. You don't forget how. Muscle memory.
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