United States Eventing Association

Riding in a Lighter Frame

By Janet D. S. Spangler with Dr. Craig Wehrenberg, DC

“Outliers are those who have been given opportunities and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them”. Malcolm Gladwell

Does better health equate to riding lighter?

Sixteen months ago, I began a journey that is having a profound impact on my life. It is a journey toward better health, and subsequently toward riding better. Revelations don’t come along as things progress, rather after they’ve gotten to a certain point. That’s when the light bulb comes on! My “light bulb” turned on sixteen months ago.

As my age galloped on, I began to feel like I was struggling to keep up, never mind catch up! Every afternoon around 2 p.m., on the way home from the barn, I would have to really work to keep my eyes open. By 5 p.m. I was wide awake, until around 9:00 p.m., when I’d go to bed because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. Then, the magic hour of 2 a.m. would show up on the alarm clock, and I would be wide awake again So, I was sleep deprived, exhausted every afternoon, mentally not alert, unfocused much of the time, and increasingly having problems remembering things just a general “foggy” feeling I couldn’t seem to shake.

Fortunately, a dear friend of mine told me about a nutritional program she’d found that got her energy up, cleared up her foggy feeling, and helped her lose a significant amount of weight and inches off her body. I looked at the website she gave me and did my due diligence looking for only 100% beneficial ingredients. I thought, what the heck, I’ll give this a shot for 30 days. If it gives me back my energy so I can keep up with my 11 year-old daughter, it’s totally worth the time experiment.

Well, much to my incredulous surprise, on day four my energy was back to where it had been years ago! I started sleeping through the night like a rock. That “foggy” feeling was gone, mentally I was sharper than ever, and then I received a big bonus of losing eleven pounds left over from my pregnancy. The sitting trot just became more enjoyable and the centerline didn’t look so intimidating any more.

I already felt like a million bucks! Little did I know that the best part was yet to come. About two weeks after I began this nutritional program, I was riding the second of my two horses, the ¾ thoroughbred, ¼ holsteiner gelding. This guy required all my attention at every stride. If I wasn’t paying attention, he would leave the arena without my company. He was very sensitive, and I had to really focus on staying equally balanced in my body. If not, suddenly we’d be leg-yielding right when I meant to volte left. That day, I’d already ridden my big, spooky mare (the one that looks for monsters everywhere); she was the harder ride as she was not nearly as sensitive and light. The gelding, despite my need to totally focus, was light and always fun to ride.

Part way through our school for the day, I suddenly realized I was not thinking much about my balance or where I was sitting in the saddle. It just felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be…that it all came together naturally. Everything I asked the gelding to do, he delivered. He was confident because I was confident. As a reward after his hard work, we went out for a gallop up the hill. I got up in two-point to get out of his way and his long, lean thoroughbred legs just flew beneath me. It was the most awesome feeling…probably akin to what the jockeys experience on the track! It was an amazing moment and still brings tears to my eyes. What I realized then was that I was balanced, focused, mentally clear and internally confident. I hadn’t experienced those feelings ever before in my riding. It was fantastic!

Back to the question of “does better health equate to riding lighter”? For starters, as an equestrian and as an athlete, I cannot expect my horse to show up and do a super job in the schooling or show ring unless she/he is fit, happy and prepared. Likewise, how can I do a good job if I am under-fueled, unfit, and mentally unfocused? We don’t go to competitions unless we’re prepared and that starts months before a show. I have learned that success follows a predictable course.

Okay, so how do you cleanse your body? Most importantly, drink purified water daily; you should drink ½ your body weight in ounces every day, yes every day! Add 1/16 tsp. organic sea salt (with every 8 oz. glass of water) to transport water “into” the cells of your body so that you’re properly hydrated. Without proper hydration, your body thinks you’ve just stepped onto the Sahara Desert and it holds onto all the extra water in the body, instead of releasing it. You’ll want to eliminate common toxins such as caffeine (a dehydrator) and artificial sweeteners. Eat organically whenever possible (right from the farm stand is best). Eat a more alkaline-based diet; most people are highly acidic and ideally the body wants to be more alkaline. Check your Ph level with Ph litmus strips (get from any drug store); you want a Ph level of 7.2 or higher. Start a regular exercise program, including resistance training, stretching yoga, pilates, or other physical and mental strengthening programs. Finally, deep breathing and meditation are powerful tools for the body and soul.

In looking for a nutritional system, find one that is nutrient-dense, 100% natural (organic) and incorporates trace minerals, gentle cleansing herbs, antioxidants, essential vitamins and a rich undenatured-whey protein that is free of hormones, steroids or antibiotics, as well as the necessary branched-chain amino acids. A balanced system allows for safe, effective weight management as well as supports the body’s ability to produce lean, dense muscle. This will support the equestrian’s body and performance. A system with these components will act as a catalyst to support the body’s ability to cleanse impurities and replenish at the same time, nourishing without starving the body. The body wants to be its own natural detoxifier, but needs the right system to support it in that job. The one I found unlocked my body’s true potential, so that through “de-junking” the body, I experienced increased energy, enhanced physical and mental performance, safe weight release and a boosted immune system; in other words, optimum health. At the same time, I was able to build lean muscle, while reducing unhealthy cravings (goodbye jelly beans!).

I have the privilege to study dressage with Deborah Dean-Smith (Huntington Farm, Strafford, VT). Deb is part of our “year-round training” course. My mare and I have learned so much from her. I have learned to always show up prepared to really ride, to be the best student I can and to be very kind to my mare. Because of our continual preparation through Deb’s thoughtful tutelage, I always feel we’re “ready to compete” when it’s our turn to go down centerline. In kind, months ago I shared with Deb my nutritional program which intrigued her and she too decided to embark on this cleansing journey, and achieved similar results. At the end of her day, after riding a mere 8 horses, teaching multiple lessons and managing a busy barn, she now has excess energy to burn and no longer has lower back pain. I can only imagine that riding the multiple level tests she does at competitions is now easier to focus on as her body is now in partnership to help her reach her goals.

Better health does equate to riding in a lighter frame which equates to a happier horse!

Dr. Craig Wehrenberg is a Doctor of Chiropracty and has a clinical degree in nutrition. He may be contacted at: [email protected]. 518.383.9000

Janet Spangler is an adult amateur dressage/event rider and a Nutritional Cleanse Coach. She may be contacted at: [email protected]. 802.457.7117