lessons – Horse Listening

Dressage As A Healing Tool

At its essence, the French term, dressage, means "training". In effect, all we do when we ride "dressage", is develop a better training regiment for both ourselves and our horses. Regardless of discipline, solid basic training is what every movement is based upon.

Even at its most basic level (or perhaps, especially at the most basic levels), dressage holds a value to horses of all disciplines.

Done well, it presents opportunity for you to analyze your horse's way of going, strengthening weaknesses and evening out imbalances in movement.

Done well, it provides you opportunity to develop your basic riding skills, strengthening weaknesses and evening out imbalances in your aids.

Because both are critical to your horse's success in performance, and your success as a rider.

What do dressage exercises do for the horse?

Stretching/Releasing/Bending/Strengthening

If riding were a language (which in fact, it is), then the alphabet would be based on the above qualities of movement. The foundation for all movements begin with the horse's ability to stretch, release, bend and be strong. All four qualities combine to allow the horse to move in a way that keeps him sound and physically functional for years to come. If any one component is missing, then the horse runs the risk of joint/muscle/tendon injury.

Stretching

There are two ways a horse can stretch - longitudinally (over the topline), and laterally (side to side). The former is usually the first to be accomplished well and the latter improves along with the topline as that develops. As a young horse learns to stretch, the muscles have an easier time releasing and working in tandem.

Releasing (Suppling)

Some people refer to muscle release as "relaxation" - as in, the horse should relax while cantering. However, a horse cannot truly relax in movement - he must "release" his muscles instead.

You will know that your horse released his muscles by how the movement feels: fluid, ground-covering, lightweight and sometimes even bouncy. Your horse's expression might change - from tense ears to soft and floppy, from almost no breathing sounds to snorts and deep grunts. You know you are in true suppleness when the movements feel effortless.

Stiffness and tension are the opposites to a release. Horses ridden with tight muscling develop mystery lamenesses and other ailments over the long term. All riding exercises should be aimed toward improving the horse's ability to release the muscles through their particular exercises and limit stiffness and tension as much as possible.

Bending

Increased ability to stretch and release will invariably lead to better bending. All horses have a preferred side, much like we humans have a dominant hand. Better bending will lead to better evenness in the left and right body. The horse will develop his ability to bear weight more evenly on both hind legs, and therefore stretch through both sides in an easier manner.

Strength

You might be amazed at the horse's development once the muscles work together instead of against each other. First of all, the horse's muscling will change visibly. You might notice a top line musculature where there was none before. You might notice a squaring of the rump when viewed from behind. There might also be a delightful groove developing over the horse's back over the spine, a sure indication of supple muscles working underneath the saddle. But the clincher is that the horse becomes capable of doing the movements (in whatever discipline) easier, slower and with more control.

The Healthy Horse

Regardless of our disciplines, we want horses to live long and thrive in their work until old age. Adding dressage exercises regularly into your routine workouts will always reap benefits in several areas at once.

When combined, the above components of riding will result in the horse's increased capacity for correct weight-bearing. And more than anything, improving the horse's ability to carry the rider's weight in a manner that not only prevents damage, but in fact improves the horse's health and well-being, is what all good riding should endeavor to produce.

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Would you like to be the rider that all horses dream of?

By following simple, useful exercises, you will be able to develop a better understanding about many topics including:

- the rider’s aids

- the use of the seat

- the half-halt

- accurate turns and circles

- transitions

- horse ownership and horse care

- goal setting for the rider

- rein lameness

… and much more!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Interpreting the Half-Halt

We call it the half-halt in the english disciplines, or it is also called the "check" in western riding (I will use "half-halt" in this article to mean both terms). In some ways, the terms are awkward misnomers. We don't really want a half of a halt, although many people characterize it as such. What we really mean by the term is that we want the horse to create or maintain the balance needed to negotiate the next movement.

It is said that the half-halt has different meanings to different people. Certainly, if you ask different instructors to explain how to do a half-halt, you are likely to get several answers that may or may not have much in common.

We all agree on the fact that a half-halt is intended to (re)balance the horse. It helps to maintain a gait, change gaits, change directions and change paces within a gait. We should place half-halts strategically through our movements, and essentially ride "half-halt to half-halt". The more half-halts we include in our ride, the easier the horse can negotiate changes of gait, weight and balance.

What the half-halt is:

- a rebalancing of the horse, promoting a rounder outline and deeper hind leg stride

- a "heads up" moment to let the horse know that a change is coming

- an opportunity to maintain an open communication line with the horse: "Are you still with me?"

What a half-halt is not:

- a pull by the hand that affects the horse's mouth

- a shove forward by the seat and legs that causes the horse to become heavier on the forehand

The aids for the half-halt usually transpire almost invisibly between the horse and the rider. In general, the results of the half-halt are apparent to the onlooker.

Developing your half-halt

Learning to half-halt is one of the skills in horseback riding that will take years to develop. Just when you think you have the hang of it, you will find yet another "level" of understanding that will challenge you to progress to a deeper and more refined aid.

First steps

As they say, some kind of half-halt is better than no half-halt. Very likely, your first half-halts are going to be through your hands and not much through your other aids. You will enjoy the feel of your new skill because your horse will probably slow his feet down and shift some weight backward. He will probably lighten on the bit and regulate his strides.

But beware: what you are feeling at this stage is not a true half-halt, but more of an extinguishing of energy. Any aid that includes a pull backward with the hands will result in a disengagement of the hocks. So even if the horse feels lighter and slower, what you are really feeling is the stoppage of energy. The horse might also hollow his back and raise his head carriage. This change of frame should be your first clue that the aids are not as effective as they could be.

Gaining a better understanding

The next stage is when you will begin to realize that the half-halt is a whole-body endeavour. The hands become less of an aiding influence, and your seat and legs begin to take on a more prominent role. At this point, you will have adequate body control and balance to be able to use your legs to ask the horse to lift his rib cage. The lightening of your seat will encourage the horse to step deeper with the hind legs, and the result will enable you to physically re-balance his entire body.

The outward picture will look like the horse has tilted his hind end and lifted through the back. The body will be rounder and the strides bigger. Often, the horse will snort or breathe audibly, indicating the strength he is putting into carrying your weight more correctly.

If you can negotiate several half-halts within a series of movements, your horse will be better able to "dance" through the requests, remaining light, balanced and round in the outline through all the changes of direction or gait.

If you feel a floating sensation, noticing that the horse's foot falls sound lighter and the gaits are becoming more flowing and easier to ride, you know you are on the right track!

The "forward" half-halt

At some point, you will progress even beyond your finest achievements to realize that the half-halt is actually a forward movement. You will relinquish the need for the hand aids (other than to support your driving aids) in preference for the surge of energy coming from the hind end thanks to your seat, weight and leg aids. You will discover the true meaning of balance through your seat and relish in the bounce, enthusiasm and sheer power the horse will offer to you, movement to movement.

Onlookers will be able to recognize the result of the half-halts because the horse will appear to flow effortlessly from one movement to the next, seemingly reading your mind, the two of you floating as one. Some may accuse you of doing nothing. Your horse will move with enthusiasm, showing off flip-floppy ears and gleaming muscles that roll under the skin like jello.

Most importantly, when your horse approves of your riding skills, and seems to connect with you even more after you get off, you will have all the reward you need!

How do you explain the term, "half-halt"?

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening Book 2 - Forward And Round To Training Success

Stop printing off the articles! Your favorite training articles are compiled in this beautifully bound paperback book. Have everything at your fingertips - this book can be taken to the barn as a quick refresher or leisurely read at home.

Signed Author Copies available - they are perfect gifts for the horse rider in your life!

From the book:

"Regardless of discipline, what would be the most significant effect a rider would want to have on her horse?

We all want our horses to improve in their athletic

development, skill acquisition and connectedness. Much of our rider development and training efforts go into working toward our show or personal goals....

But the best riders aspire to do one essential thing each and every day, regardless of goals and lesson plans: they work hard to improve their horse’s way of going.

Because proper balance and weight carriage is essential to a horse’s longevity. Each and every minute of each and every ride has the potential to contribute to your horse’s health and well-being.

Or not."

Just as with all the Horse Listening Collection Books, this book is focused on helping the rider improve for the sake of the horse. But this book goes deeper into the best training articles from the blog - horse-centered theory, strategies and ideas you can try with your own horse.

The book begins with the horse's hind end (!), considers the horse's back, moves on to rider development, and fills it all in with the fundamentals of horse riding so your horse can be:

happier in his body

happier in his "work"

better balanced all-around

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Do A “Forward” Back-Up

How do you get a horse to back up lightly, energetically and rhythmically?

Do it "forward"!

It sounds like an oxymoron, but it's the truth. You MUST make the back-up into a forward movement. That is the only way the horse can move his legs efficiently and diagonally.

The back-up is a very important part of the correct training of the horse. It is the beginning of teaching the horse to tilt his hind end and carry more weight on his haunches. It is the preparatory step for a good walk-canter departure and for many of the upper-level movements. But first, you must teach the horse to step backward without creating tension and sticky steps.

How NOT to back up

You will often see people pulling on their horse's mouth and kicking. The horse might open his mouth, tighten and raise the neck, and step back stiff-legged like his legs are stuck in quicksand.

The first thing to keep in mind is to NEVER pull backward on the reins (not for any other movements either, but especially not for the back-up).

4 steps to a good back-up

1. Shorten the reins so you have contact. How much contact depends on the level of understanding of your horse. If this is a new movement, you might need more contact. If the horse is far enough along, you could get away with a "whisper" of a contact! This is what we are all aiming for. But in the interest of being clear with our aids, we might need to use more pressure at first so there is no guess work for the horse.

However, please note that contact does not mean a pull-back. Although you make the reins short enough to put some pressure on the horse's mouth, the reins are not actively moving backward toward your body.

2. Start with a gentle squeeze of your legs. Do not kick unless you absolutely have to. You might need to kick only if the horse gives no response. Otherwise, a squeeze should activate the hind legs enough to almost take a step forward.

3. As the horse takes that forward step, he leans into the pressure of the contact and realizes that he cannot step ahead. The legs then begin the backward movement. At the same time, lighten your seat slightly to the front of the saddle. The weight shift should be so small that it is not visible - only the horse and you know that you shifted your seat. This frees up the back under the saddle so that the horse can lift his hind legs and tilt the haunches.

4. Once the backward motion has started, lighten the contact (don't throw it all away!) in order to give the horse a release. Stay light in the seat while the horse takes the steps. You stop the backward motion by sitting back into a normal seat. Your seat, followed by light leg aids, then drive your horse forward into the same light contact. The difference is that this time, you walk forward.

Always walk forward out of a back-up. You want to regularly instill a "forward attitude" into the horse, especially after a back-up.

Possible corrections

Beginning horses often resist taking the backward steps as the shift of weight back is unusual for horses to do on their own. Just be patient through the initial stages and insist that the horse moves his legs backward before you stop your aids.

Wait through the confusion of the horse even if he throws his head sideways or up. The legs might drag backwards or you might get one step, then another, then a stop. It doesn't matter; just keep at it until you think he has understood.

It might take several sessions before the horse lightens and begins to understand what you are understanding for. Keep the energy level up, look for diagonal pairs of legs moving together, and work toward keeping a soft neck and poll through the movement. Find the balance between trying again and knowing when it is time to stop.

He will get better with time.

How do you teach your horse to back up? If you tried any of this, let us know how it went in the comment section.

On the Use of Artificial Aids – The Method Behind the Madness

Should you use artificial aids? The quick answer: yes AND no!

Long two-inch spurs.

Super-extended flexible dressage whip.

Double bridle. Gag bridles. Twisted wire snaffles.

Hackamore or bitless bridle.

Draw reins/martingales/tie-downs/neck stretchers.

Drop or flash or figure-eight nosebands.

The list of artificial aids can be endless. Just when you think you know it all, you discover that there are new and improved "must-buy" pieces of equipment that will change the way you ride. Or will they really?

You are left wondering - which should I be using? And when do I know what I need?

The trick to using any equipment is to know why and how you should use them.

Buyer beware...

... no equipment can change your riding skills. The first two or three rides might be different as your horse adjusts to the new equipment, but in the end, your skills (or lack thereof) will shine through no matter what you do.

Don't be surprised if your horse goes back to the same ol' habits a few rides in - because if your own equitation has not changed, you will produce exactly the same results with or without the help of artificial aids.

Your horse will change for the better only after you change for the better. (Click here to tweet that if you agree.)

On the other hand, do not be afraid of artificial aids.

Many people shun the whole concept of using certain types of equipment. You can find camps of people based on the equipment they feel is acceptable or not.

Know that everything has a purpose. Often, equipment that is perceived as being harsher can in fact act in a much kinder and gentler way than initially understood.

For example, most people agree that a thicker bit is essentially "softer" than a thinner bit. The thin bit has a smaller surface area and therefore puts more pressure on the bars or tongue than a thick bit.

This may be true for many horses, until you meet a horse with a tiny, delicate mouth and small muzzle. Then the thick bit is entirely too large for the small mouth, and in fact causes discomfort by its sheer size. Put in the thinner bit and watch as the horse almost sighs with relief to have the seemingly harsher bit, simply because it fits his conformation better.

Another example: a bitless bridle sounds like it is kinder on the horse than one with a bit until you consider the nose, jaw, cheek and poll pressure action activated by use of the reins. Some horses might respond willingly to that type of squeezing while others would find it intolerable when compared to a bit in the mouth.

There are similar examples for any equipment you can think of. What seems harsh for one horse is what another horse really needs and does well in.

Why should equipment be used?

If your answer is to make the riding process easier on the horse, then you are on the right track.

If the equipment makes the ride safer for you, it can be used. Safety is always number one.

If the horse is young or being retrained by an experienced rider, the use of equipment can be very handy in teaching the horse what is expected quickly and efficiently. In the right hands, equipment can bring clarity to a situation. It can reduce fuss and confusion and point the horse in the right direction.

If you can be lighter and clearer with your aids, then that is the true purpose of equipment.

When not to use equipment

Simply put, equipment should not be intended to hurt/punish/intimidate/force a horse into obedience.

It should not be used to cover up rider inadequacies. Sometimes, it is much more beneficial to struggle through the learning process without specialized equipment in order to achieve better riding skills.

In the end, how the equipment is used is more important that what is used.

As always, the hands and other aids at the end of the equipment are what really differentiate it from being kind and purposeful or harsh and intimidating. Experienced riders can make a delicate instrument out of the seemingly harshest equipment.

Where do you begin?

In general, if you have complete control over your own natural aids (leg aids, seat, hands, weight), you are adequately prepared to introduce new equipment into your program. In contrast, if you still have trouble with your aids, any equipment will multiply the severity of your messages.

The horse's needs will be another factor in determining the use of equipment. Depending on your point of development as a rider, some equipment may help the horse develop muscling quicker and easier than you can with your natural aids. Specialized equipment may make your messages softer and clearer so there is less guess work required by the horse. In all cases, if your horse goes better in the equipment and seems happier, you know you are on the right track.

When you begin using unfamiliar equipment, be sure to have educated, watchful eyes mentoring you through the process so you can learn correctly from the beginning. Your instructor will be able to help you decide if it is time for you to learn how to use new equipment.

Be prepared to have to learn to use the new equipment in the same way that you have learned to use your own natural aids. There may be discomfort and confusion at the beginning while you learn to manipulate the equipment and use it to communicate to the horse. It may take the horse some time to adjust. Through it all, work patiently and with clear regard for the horse. Listen closely to the feedback you receive and make your decisions accordingly.

The bottom line(s)...

... watch and learn from more experienced riders - how and why do they use their equipment and what does it do for the horse?

... how does the horse react?

... get help when trying new equipment.

... listen to your horse!

Have you used "artificial aids" in your riding and what has been your experience with them?

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Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

Available as an eBook or paperback.

For more articles, see below:

When Do You Start Riding Your Horse? This question was being posed to me by a very respected and horse-wise mentor one day long ago, early in my riding development.

How To Be An Active Horseback Rider (a.k.a. Riding With Intention): What do you do when your ride isn’t going as planned? How do you respond when your horse scoots out from under you, spooks at the horse-killing object, or flat out ignores you?

When “Good Enough” Just Isn’t Good Enough In Horseback Riding: We come up with all sorts of excuses to explain why we don’t want to or can’t get past the problem.

Too Good to be True? Finding Your Horse’s “Happy Place”: Did you know that through riding, you can help your horse achieve a happy, content outlook on life? Sounds ridiculously far-fetched? Too good to be true?

Horseback Riding the Yoga Way-Practice

When you are riding, do you "practice" your ride?

Do you give your horse and yourself a break when things go wrong?

Do you approach "mistakes" with a forgiving attitude, thinking that this is just one practice in a million, and there will be chances to improve over time?

I have to admit to myself - not all the time.

Sometimes, I get wrapped up in making it happen "right now". Sometimes, when things don't fall together at the right time, I feel discouraged.

I feel like I've failed my horse. Other times, I feel like the horse has let me down.

Practice Your Ride

As I walked into the yoga studio the other day, I was greeted by my yoga teacher with:

"What a wonderful day to practice."

The word "practice" resonated in my mind for a moment. Naturally, I made a horse-riding connection.

*****

"Practice" refers to repetitiveness, habitual performance and regular training. There is a sense of repeating to seek improvement. But the key underlying sense of the term is that if things don't go right, you can try, try again.

When you practice something, you know it doesn't count.

The concept brings a positive sense to a situation. When you practice, it means you are trying to improve yourself. The world is on your side, you know you have a second and third chance.

Mistakes are forgiven. There is room for improvement. You have more time. You have more tries.

You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you'll be given another chance. You know that if things don't go as well as planned this time, you will eventually get to the point where you want to be, because you have all the time in the world to improve yourself.

Find the balance between achieving and letting go.

Of course we don't want to do badly when we ride. It is obvious that we want to seek harmony, stay in balance and be there for our horses. It is through practicing that we can discover the areas we need to improve upon and how to use our aids clearly.

But things do not always go as planned!

When this happens to you, it is time to sit back and reflect - it's OK for things to not go perfectly. There is always the next try, the next day, the next week.

Give yourself some slack. Be kind and appreciative to your horse even if you DIDN'T get what you wanted right away.

Be prepared to try, try again. Maybe there is something you can change. Is there a different sequence of aids you can use? Were your aids too tight/loose/quick/slow? Is your horse in the right frame of mind? Maybe achieving only 50% of your goal is just fine for today.

Discover the things not to do and as a byproduct, the things to do. Keep trouble-shooting but avoid building tension and getting stressed.

And if all else fails, quit while you're ahead.

Feel the freedom that practice can give you. It is not essential to be perfect, because so long as you keep practicing, the achievement will come on its own. Let it go and enjoy your ride!

There's always tomorrow.

****

I looked into my yoga instructor's eyes, enjoying the deeper understanding (and riding connections) I had just made with just that simple word "practice". I felt a sense of relief in knowing that I wasn't going to be expected to be perfect in my yoga practice that day. I also gave myself the permission to enjoy that same feeling in my future horseback rides!

Do you regularly "practice" during your rides? Is there a time in your riding where the concept of practicing could fit in? Do you or can you let go of the tension that comes along with perfectionism and relax more into the rhythm of trying differently the next time? Comment below.

Dark Room Doors and Dressage

Picture a Dark Room

Lights out - and you are standing in the center. You cannot see a thing. Your outstretched arms indicate that there is space in front of you. Although you can walk around and grope into the space ahead of you, the darkness prevents you from knowing which way you turn.

During my most intense schooling period, learning to ride was just like being in the Dark Room. There I was, in a bubble of "darkness", which represented the new riding skill I was trying to find. All I could do was grope around, trying to discover the elusive "feel" that I somehow knew was there.

Luckily, as horseback riders, we have instructors guiding us, showing us, describing feel, and giving feedback. So in that Dark Room of Learning to Ride, I did have my instructor pointing me (sometimes literally!) in the right direction.

I remember the first time I found my first "feel".

It was like reaching ahead in the darkness, and discovering a door in front of me. The initial incident was like I'd opened the door and taken a peek inside. The lights were on! I could see!

And then I stepped back abruptly into the darkness. Finding that feel the second time was once again an elusive undertaking. Admittedly, this time, it was easier to find the door. Instead of turning around myself in unknowing circles, I had a better idea of which way to step, and soon enough, there was the door and then the room with the lights on.

And so this was my progress through the learning process of riding. As I learned which way to move, I was able to achieve a feel sooner and easier and one day, with efficiency.

There were more doors to discover!

Then came the second door/skill, the third, the fourth. I realized that there were so many doors - unlimited actually - that I could source out. Interestingly, listening to different instructors opened other doors. As the years progressed, opening the old doors became a simple task, while finding new doors was just as challenging as finding that first so long ago.

Then came the day that I discovered doors behind the doors! Yup, that's right. I'd discovered the layers of learning that resided beyond the initial stages of each skill.

Every movement you learn as a horseback rider has infinite levels of understanding and ability.

(Click here to tweet that.)

As you become proficient at one skill, you realize that there is ever more to develop. The skills interweave and intermingle. Becoming better in one area suddenly translates into improvement in other areas. Unbeknownst to you, your sitting trot improved while you were working on hind end engagement!

And so it goes. You learn, you realize what you don't know, and you learn some more. The path is long and wide and ever developing.

And THIS is what makes horseback riding such a strong parallel to living itself!

Do you have a similar story about the learning process in riding?

Archives – Lessons/Training

Lessons and Training

Look through these articles for tips and recommendations on common horse riding problems. Let us know in the comments sections if you tried something and how it worked out!

How to Ride the Stumble Out of Your Horse: Do you have a horse that seems to regularly trip or stumble, either in the front or hind end?

How to 'Flow" From the Trot to Walk: Although we rely on our hands too much and initiate all movements from the horse’s mouth, there are many alternate aids we can go to.

Why You Don't Need to Panic When Your Horse 'Falls Apart': Even if you are not thinking “panic”, your body might be communicating it by either being completely passive or too reactive after the horse is off balance.

When Good Riding Instruction Becomes Great: How much can an instructor really do to help a rider improve?

5 Steps to Effective Short Reins: Just as with any other movement and technique that is taught to horses, short reins can be very beneficial to the horse when applied correctly.

Find the Space Between the Give and Take in Horse Riding: As with so many other things in life, we need to find the happy medium.

16 Ways to Not Become Bored During Your Ride: Here is a list of just a few ideas to keep ring riding fresh and interesting for both you and your horse.

Why Rising Trot Is Not Rising At All: How to rise in the trot so that you move in tandem with the horse.

'Go and No': The Connection Between Forward and Half-Halt in Horse Riding: How to develop the two seemingly opposite aids.

Can You Recognize the Sewing-Machine Trot? It is easy to get fooled into thinking that the sewing-machine trot is a good trot.

Why A Release Is Not A Let Go in Horseback Riding: Many people interpret the term 'Release' literally - but that's not what really means.

Here's How (and Why) You Should Ride With Bent Elbows: How to avoid an on-again, off-again contact with the horse’s mouth.

Use the "Canter-Trot" to Truly Engage the Hind End: Many riders think that kicking the horse along and making the legs move faster is the ticket to engagement – but there is nothing further than the truth!

How to Halt Without Pulling on the Reins: There is a way to get your horse to stop without pulling on the reins.

What to Do When Your Horse is Being Naughty: Though we’d love to have that perfectly compliant horse all the time, the reality is that even the sweetest horse finds something to say once in a while.

Why You Should Ride the Left Side of Your Horse Going Right: In order to help straighten the horse (and elongate the muscles on the right, and help the horse bear more weight on the left hind leg), we need to work on the left side going right.

Stop Kicking the Horse! Kicking your horse only stuns, disturbs, imbalances, and hurts. Once you have better balance in your seat and a more consistent contact with the bit, aim toward using your legs with more purpose.

Why Would You Bother to "Scoop" Your Seat Bones? Learning to use your seat effectively should take a lifetime to develop, so we will begin with just one basic aspect: how to move the seat bones.

How to Ride Your Excited Horse in 5 Easy Steps: Let’s face it – horses aren’t always calm and accommodating. There are times when they can be… shall we say… a little over-exuberant!

The #1 Rider Problem of the Year - The Leg Aid: You probably know from experience – kicking the horse along often does not get the response you really want.

Riding Straight Through the Turn: Although it sounds like an oxymoron, travelling straight through a turn is essential in maintaining the balance of the horse.

Stepping Out of Rein Lameness: Often, problems caused by riding can be fixed with riding. It is just a matter of knowing what to do in order to counteract the problems.

Drawing A Circle (In Sand): Regardless of where you position the circle in the arena, it should be evenly spaced and round.

Rarely Considered, Often Neglected: Lunging to Develop the Riding Seat:

Interpreting the Half-Halt: This topic is a tricky one but here is a shot at it.

Do A "Forward" Back-Up! Tricks to developing an easy and rhythmical back-up.

Top 10 Ways to Reward Your Horse: A happy horse is a willing partner, and many horses will give everything they have if they feel your acknowledgement and generosity of spirit.

Demystifying "Contact" in Horseback Riding: Does “contact” have other-wordly connotations? Here is why effective contact is within reach of the average rider.

From a Whisper to a Scream: How Loud Should Our Aids Really Be? Should we be “loud” in our aids, or should we be working as softly as we can in hopes that our horse can respond to lighter and more refined aids?

Do You Make This Timing Mistake When Riding Your Horse? Have you ever given your horse an aid and got nothing in return? There could be one other variable that you might not have considered...

Secrets to a Great Turn (a.k.a. Shift Out to Turn In): Can you tell if your horse uses his hind end before taking the first step in the new direction, or does he feel stiff and awkward, almost like he’s leaving his legs behind the movement?

Don't Mistake the Halt For a Stop! Don't do it! Don't mistake the halt for a stop. They are two entirely different maneuvers.

How the "Not Canter" Can Drastically Improve Your Transitions: Every time you ask (with the correct aids), the horse resists. The situation becomes ugly – you have a hard enough time just sitting the bounciness, never mind getting the transition. What to do? This article remains one of our most popular posts of all-time.

The #1 Problem of the Year: The Outside Rein! The outside rein is the most underused and poorly understood of all the aids, and here’s why.

6 Ways to Unleash the Power of Your Riding Seat: As you become more subtle in the aiding process, you will begin to discover just how powerful the seat can be in guiding the horse without disturbing and interfering in his movement.

To Lesson or Not To Lesson? That shouldn't even be a question!

The 99% "Lucky Rule": The 99% Lucky rule is very simple – when you’re around horses, and particularly in dangerous situations, you are lucky 99% of the time. That is a good rule – unless it happens to be the 1% of the time that you might be ‘un’-lucky! Then, it’s no fun at all.

Speaking "Horse" (a.k.a. "Pushing the Envelope"): Horses send messages out as much as humans do. Once you know how to listen to your horse, a whole world of communication can open up for you.

The Dynamic Dependency of Horseback Riding

First scenario: You go to the clinic and watch it work perfectly for the horse and rider.

You come home and try it and after a short time of pseudo-success, it all falls apart (again)!

Alternate scenario: Your coach teaches you something new, and the lesson goes well.

Then you ride on your own and simply cannot get the same results.

At first, you might blame the horse. Or you might think that the clinician/coach did not explain it well enough. Maybe it is the weather, the saddle, the bridle... you get my drift!

You wonder - why does it work for others when it doesn't work for you?

The dynamic dependency of riding

There is no getting around it: there is an interconnectedness in riding that you simply cannot escape. Everything has to "jive" before the final picture of ease and comfort presents itself. In fact, horseback riding can essentially represent the highest sense of "holistic" that you can ever imagine.

In riding, nothing can be done in isolation. If you change even your weight from one side to another, or from forward to back, you can instantly feel the difference it makes to the horse. If you learn a new "technique" at the clinic, and you bring that home, beware that a single change will not be effective if the rest of what you are doing stays stagnant.

What I'm trying to say is this: if you think one skill/technique/method/movement will be the answer to your riding dreams, you have to know that you will be disappointed.

Everything depends on everything else.

Your horse will quickly explain to you that there is more than one aspect to ANYTHING in riding. There is no miracle bit, no fantastic rein aid, no leg position, or anything else in isolation that will make the difference you are seeking.

The secret to riding is that everything matters. If you want that new leg position to be effective, you probably need to shift your weight, move your shoulder, flow better through the seat, half-halt more accurately, even think calmly (and so many other aspects) that it might become discouraging to think of all the parts to the whole.

But there is hope! It comes with patience, perseverance, hard work and a sense of humour. You need to know that there is no "all-or-nothing" solution to your riding woes, and you must seek all the answers over time.

You might find that the super-duper rein aid will in fact be beneficial if you combine it with a small change in your position, a better flowing seat, and a myriad of other possibilities. Of course, you need a good eye on the ground to help you along your path, and you need to expand your awareness of the many skills that are required to produce the final product.

****

Back to the rider in the clinic who demonstrated the technique so well: she probably made all the minute changes to her position/aids to make the miracle aid work effectively.

In your riding lesson, chances are that your instructor can catch all the small corrections that need to be done during your ride. Although everything falls together while she is teaching you, you will likely only remember parts and pieces that will not be as effective when used in isolation.

Once you have the experience and feel to make small adjustments, the area you are focusing on will indeed become significant to the overall picture. And your horse will thank you for it!

What are your experiences with a "miracle cure"?

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Do you want to keep reading? You might enjoy:

The 99% Lucky Rule: Why horse people are lucky most of the time!

How To Be An Active Horseback Rider (a.k.a. Riding With Intention): Use self-talk during those sticky situations.

When "Good Enough" Just Isn't Good Enough in Horseback Riding: At some point, you really do HAVE to get out of your own backyard.

The #1 Rider Problem of the Year: The Outside Rein: Correct use of the outside rein is essential to your riding success.

The Healthy Horse

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

What the half-halt is:

What a half-halt is not:

Developing your half-halt

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening Book 2 - Forward And Round To Training Success

How NOT to back up

4 steps to a good back-up

Possible corrections

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

Should you use artificial aids? The quick answer: yes AND no!

Buyer beware...

On the other hand, do not be afraid of artificial aids.

Why should equipment be used?

When not to use equipment

Where do you begin?

The bottom line(s)...

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Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

Practice Your Ride

Find the balance between achieving and letting go.

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

Every movement you learn as a horseback rider has infinite levels of understanding and ability.

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Don’t miss a single issue of Horse Listening!

Buy the books for many more riding tips! Horse Listening Book Collection.

Look through these articles for tips and recommendations on common horse riding problems. Let us know in the comments sections if you tried something and how it worked out!

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Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding