Horse Listening

Five Components of the Ultimate Warm Up in Horse Riding

Elbows — Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

Every ride starts with a warm-up. But there is a huge difference between a warm-up and a Warm-Up.

Many people think that because the horse starts the ride "cold", that the warm-up has to be slow and under-power. They think that it takes a long time to let the horse's body warm up and therefore, they need to take things easy.

The warm-up proceeds at a fairly leisurely pace. The legs move, the horses truck along and riders feel that in ten or fifteen minutes, the "real" work can start. They do very little during that time - just stay on and get the horse moving. There may or may not be a canter in that first fifteen minutes or so, but even if there is, the canter is stiff and laborious.

After all, the horse shouldn't put too much effort into the movement that early in the ride. Right?

The Most Important Goal in Horse Riding

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. These steps and stages are essential to our overall development.

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.

Why You Don't Want to "Take It Easy" in the Warm Up

Despite your best intentions, the horse that moves incorrectly is the horse that is hurting himself. Without effective use of the hind end, the horse has more difficulty carrying the rider's weight.

The disengaged horse moves with short strides and a hollow back. The body is stiff and difficult to bend and the horse appears to be sluggish. Transitions come slowly. The horse leans into or out of turns. The body shows little suppleness.

The top line - the area over the back that carries the rider - sags.

Combined together, it is simple to see why slow and soft is not the way to go during a warm-up. It just isn't healthy for the horse.

Not that your riding should be harsh or aggressive. Somehow, you have to find the perfect middle.

So what is the alternative?

The Five Components of the Ultimate Warm-Up

The goal of the warm-up is not only to increase circulation and warm up the muscles. It is also to set the horse up to successfully carry the rider's weight with the best balance possible on that day. Only after the horse is moving well, can the "lesson", or more challenging part of the ride, begin.

1. Energy

The key to all things riding is energy. However, be sure that the energy doesn't translate into legs just moving quicker. Instead, use several half-halts to increase the energy without increasing leg speed. Transfer that energy into longer strides, a swinging back and bouncier movement (indicating better use of the muscles).

2. Topline Use

The horse that uses his top line develops good longitudinal flexion. In clearer terms, being supple over the top of the back means that the horse can carry the rider's weight in a healthier fashion. The muscles contract and release in tandem to allow the horse's back to act as a muscle "bridge" - thereby relieving some of the pressure off the horse's joints while it moves.

3. Bend

Every horse has a stiff and hollow side, but letting him go about the ring in tension is not the answer to the problem. In contrast, work on developing a deeper bend left and right early in the ride. The horse that has lateral suppleness has better balance.

4. Straightness

The horse that can bend well is also the horse that can move straight. In order to be straight, the horse's hind footprints should land into the same track as the front footprints. Beware! True straightness is difficult to develop and takes years of consistent riding to achieve.

5. Rhythm

There is little else in riding that is as essential as rhythm. Every other movement, skill or technique builds upon regular, cadenced footfalls regardless of gait. The warm up should be devoted to developing rhythm - sometimes quicker, sometimes slower and most often, the rhythm that is most ideal for your horse (horses may have different perfect rhythms).

Your warm-up may take only 15 minutes, or it may take up the majority of your ride on a given day. The length of time devoted to improving your horse's movement is always well spent, regardless of whether it seems to take longer than you initially intended.

Although it seems counter-intuitive to ask for energy and suppleness early in the ride, it makes the most sense when considered from the horse's perspective. Simply put, weight-bearing requires energy, strength and suppleness. Instead of letting your horse move along in an unhealthy fashion, amp up the warm-up, ride effectively, get you and your horse breathing and work toward correct movement right from the get-go.

Then listen to your horse and see what he says.

What do you think about doing an active warm-up? Let us know about your warm-up routine. .

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

From Horse Listening, The Book:

"There are many reasons why we enjoy riding horses. Maybe one of the most appealing facets of riding is the sense of freedom: freedom from our own limitations, freedom from gravity, freedom to (literally) roam the Earth. Time stands still while we have the privilege of feeling movement from the back of our four-legged friend.

Riding gives us the place to just be.

Of course, there are other purposes too. Some of us revel in the challenge of learning the skills required to becoming a good team member of this unlikely duo. Riding is like no other sport or recreational pursuit simply because of the equine partner that must not only carry us, but also do so effortlessly and gracefully. As we develop our specific skill sets, we also grow as human beings in character, emotional maturity and mental acuity.

But there is one other motivation that drives some of us to persevere in the never-ending learning process that is horseback riding: improving the horse. As your own skills develop, you begin to realize that not only can you meet your own needs through riding, but also that you can even become an instrument of benefit for the horse."

And so begins the book that reflects the most important learning I have had in all of my riding years: that I want to be the best rider I can be for the sake of my horses.

This book is geared toward the rider:

- the rider's motivations

- the essential skills for the rider

- some specific strategies

- solutions to common problems

- and the results: the great horsey moments we get to experience

Along the way, you will find chapters that discuss everything from the seat to the leg aids to the reins, discussions on half-halts, imbalance, halts, straightness and more!

Special in this book are the "In The Ring" sections that give specific suggestions based on the preceding chapters. Take these to the barn to try with your own horse!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Bend: How to Drift Out on Purpose

It is true that we regularly deliberate about the evils of overusing the inside rein.

It is also true that we constantly discuss the importance of the horse responding to your outside aids and how they regulate the impulsion, speed and bend of the horse.

But there is a time that it is perfectly fine, or almost advisable, for you to allow the horse to drift to the outside.

When It's OK To Let Your Horse Drift Out

Have you ever found yourself heading into an ever-decreasing spiral after a sudden sideways step to the inside? Maybe your horse spooked momentarily and did an exit-stage-left - at which point, you fell into the turn with him and almost encouraged the turn to become a tighter-tighter circle that left you unseated and both of you confused.

Or maybe you were indicating a mild turn or heading into a corner, but your horse misinterpreted your aids into thinking that he should drop the inside shoulder and "fall in", thereby reducing the arc of the circle you were intending to follow.

Or your efforts to create an inside bend were met with a braced jaw and heavy weight on the rein.

In any case, you felt a stiffness on the inside aids. You knew that just going with the flow was not conducive to maintaining balance, but you went along because there was seemingly not much else that could be done.

The "Drift-Out"

Letting the horse escape ever so slightly to the outside might be just what you need in those moments.

Although we do go on and on about keeping strong outside rein and leg aids, a brief softening of the outside aids might be just the ticket to allow your horse to shift his weight from the inside to the outside. Use a corresponding inside leg to support the horse's rib cage, and you might find him stepping away from the inside leg, softening on the inside rein and balancing more to the outside (which would then begin to even out his balance).

If you dressage readers think that this sounds suspiciously like a leg yield, you'd be right!

The difference here is that you'd be doing a leg yield on a turn or circle, not just on a straight line.

Similar to the straight leg yield, the legs should cross and the body moves to the outside. However, in the drift-out, you might actually encourage the horse to take a deeper bend through the body. After all, you are on a turn or a circle, and a bend is necessary to allow the horse's inside hind leg to come deeper underneath the body. During a turn, the leg can support the horse's balance better and successfully counteract the force of gravity.

The Aids

It is always better to begin the aids before the horse has fully committed his weight to the inside.

1. Start with your inside leg and seat. In the rhythm of the gait, apply pressure with your leg (can be the thigh and calf) at the girth. Use your seat to push forward toward the front of the saddle.

2. Maintain or if possible, soften the pressure on the inside rein. Be sure you are not pulling back.

3. Soften (but do not completely release) the outside rein and leg aids.

4. Encourage or allow the horse to step to the outside, crossing the legs within the rhythm of the gait.

5. Do this for two to four strides. You might need to repeat this exercise several times to benefit from it. However, it is not necessary to drift out for too many steps in a row, as it is a correction and not a way of going.

Good signs

You know you're on the right track if your horse increases the depth of his bend with less effort.

He might lighten up on the inside rein. His rib cage might actually shift back in alignment with the body and certainly, the leaning pressure on your inside leg will be alleviated.

You might notice that the outside rein "fills up" with the bend of the neck and that there is a place for your outside leg to lie comfortably against.

You will probably feel the shift of the weight to the outside. Maybe your own seat will feel more evenly balanced over the center of the horse.

*****

Once you get good at drifting out, you will find a bend quicker and with less effort. You might want to explore the same idea in all the gaits, including the canter.

As with any correction, too much of a good thing might not make it great. Too much drifting out will result in the horse not responding to the outside aids, becoming crooked to the outside.

(In that case, you could try a counter-bend and drift in! The exact same principles would apply in the opposite way. But this can be a topic for another day.)

Have you ever intentionally allowed your horse to drift out? Let us know how it worked out.

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

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

Personally signed books available! Just send me a message.

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.

Five Reasons Why It Takes Two People to Ride One Horse

They say two is better than one.

In horseback riding, nothing can be truer.

It's not that two people should ride the horse - well, unless you want to do that too. It's more about how the efforts of two people combine to make to make the riding experience better for the horse - as well as the rider.

There is no replacement for an educated eye on the ground. Add willingness, compassion and resourcefulness to your ground person, and almost every riding situation can be improved thanks to both your efforts. The ground person might be your instructor or not. The prerequisite is that you both work toward the same goal, one from the back of the horse, and the other from the ground.

Here are five reasons why two people are better than one.

1. Calm the horse and/or the rider.

Has this ever happened to you? Your ride has been going just fine. Then, after passing the same corner of the arena multiple times, your horse decides that his life will end the next time he heads over there. At that moment, your trusty ground person walks over to the corner and protects your horse just by standing there and using a calm tone of voice as you ride by.

The ground person can also be your calming factor. If you feel anxious, unsure or tentative, the ground person can be an excellent source of information and inspiration - the type that reassures and challenges at each turn. If you feel confident, your person can push you to reach higher goals, encouraging you to step just that little bit out of your comfort zone.

2. Increase impulsion.

Your ground person can also be a motivator to help your horse put in that missing bit of "oomph" needed to complete a movement. Although the rider can do much from the horse's back to achieve impulsion and engagement, many horses respond nicely to a ground person. The right body language and verbal cues given in the right moment might be all that is needed to gently coax the horse into working more from the hind end.

3. Set up and take down equipment.

This is when the ground person is irreplaceable! If a person is willing to move equipment during your ride, you can be free to train your horse rather than worry about getting off to readjust things. The ground person can re-set anything that was knocked down or pushed over while you negotiated the obstacle. She can change the level of difficulty as your horse develops the confidence after several repetitions. She can change patterns according to how the ride is going.

4. Give visual feedback.

One of the difficulties of riding (especially without mirrors) is that while you ride, you receive very little visual feedback. While you can see the head and neck of the horse, everything behind you is limited to your ability to feel results. The ground person can be the visual feedback you are missing. She can let you know if you and your horse are straight, if the movement you tried was successful, and what your horse looks like. She can let you in on details such as if your horse is crossing the legs in the leg yield or if the halt was square. Of course you should be able to feel such things eventually, but getting that immediate feedback can help develop your accurate feel and prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

5. Motivate each other.

Sparks fly when two motivated people have a chance to "bounce off" one another! When one person has an idea, the other can take it to another level by adding their piece to it. The same thing can happen when riding horses. Problem-solving becomes easier, brainstorming is quicker, the energy is enthusiastic and positive. One idea leads to another and soon enough, goals are reached and obstacles are overcome.

When two people "ride" one horse, the whole environment changes. Teamwork is useful in all aspects of life, but when done effectively during a ride, the horse is the one that benefits. And the horse's well-being should always be our primary intention.

Do you have a ground person? Let us know how it works out.

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

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.

Who “Owns” Horse Sense?

What

Where did you learn your horse sense?

I learned mine through the many teachers, mentors, professionals, students and friends who share the passion for horses that I have. They were (are) the ones who were willing to teach, explain, demonstrate and guide me through my many equine related adventures.

I learned mine through trial and error, through countless mistakes and many times, through listening to the horses themselves. As a lifelong learner, I recognized long ago that much of learning happens through listening. That was why the title "Horse Listening" resonated so strongly for my blog title.

Someone recently posted a comment on the Horse Listening Facebook page in response to my article, What Responsible Horse Ownership Really Means. I was beginning to formulate an answer in response, but then I thought I should elaborate here with more thought.

The topic in question: horses are prey animals.

She implies that since I have stated in that article that horses are prey animals, then surely I should have credited the horsemanship professional that she claims first "coined the phrase."

Let me assure you that every post I write is completely original in the sense that I wrote the words and formulated the topics and points of view.

However, I never indicate that the ideas I write are of my invention. In fact, I can imagine that every topic I've discussed here has been contemplated, debated and developed by generations of people who have been closely associated with horses, including this one.

One of the most appealing aspects of horses and horseback riding (for me) is that in this environment of technology and electronics, horse sense has continued to live through good ol' fashioned word of mouth and person-to-person teaching. The oral tradition is as important as the written word of the past generations and continues to live through the people of today.

Even the highest profile professional trainers that I have watched, listened to and learned from openly indicate that the ideas being presented are not "theirs". Regardless of discipline or riding style, the best-of-the-best regularly credit the influencers of their lives. All disciplines and all generations have their exceptional people.

In the end, it comes down to this: good riding is good riding is good riding. Good teaching is good teaching, and good horsemanship is good horsemanship. You can switch the saddle (or take it off altogether!) and change the words, but when it comes down to it, "all horses have a head, tail, four legs, and gravity sucks the same for all of them" (credit for those words go to my own instructor and mentor).

Thanks to the presence of the horse, equestrians have more in common than differences, and we all recognize truths when we hear/experience/live them. As with many other horse-related concepts, the idea that horses are classified as prey animals has little to do with any marketing or branding efforts.

They just are.

Interested to hear your view on this topic. Please comment below.

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Finding Your Comfortable Un-Comfort in Riding: Being uncomfortable is often a good place to be in riding.

23 Ways to Solve the Riding Problem: Of course, we rarely speak of the one “true” way…

Can You Accordion Your Horse?

At our barn, we've turned the noun into a verb. We call it "accordioning" because the horse stretches out over the topline and then, a few strides later, he shortens once again. Much like an accordion, the horse expands and then compresses - over the back. In riding terms, we call it longitudinal flexion.

Starting from an uphill working trot outline, the horse responds to forward-urging aids and a longer rein by lengthening the back muscles. He reaches forward and down into roundness, loosening over the topline and striding deep underneath the body with the hind legs.

Then, a few steps later, the horse transitions back to the uphill outline. The reins shorten while the body shortens and rebalances up and back. The horse resumes the regular working trot.

stretchy walk — Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

The Benefits

While the horse is stretching, the muscles loosen to allow for tension to dissipate. Then, when the horse comes back up, the body is more supple, the gait springier. The trick now is to keep the suppleness that was developed through the stretch.

The change of body position and balance encourages the horse to step under with the hind legs, aiding in the development of collection and hind end engagement.

The joints in the hind end "articulate" better - that is, they show more bend and flexion within each stride. This increase in energy translates into increased impulsion, which you might feel through more bounce, more air time, a rounder back, and a lighter front end. You might even encourage the horse to expel a heart-felt snort!

Done repeatedly, the horse learns to loosen at will. Later, the deep stretch may not be necessary. Once the horse has learned to accordion effectively, the results become apparent even with a small stretch and rebalance.

How to Accordion

The first step to an effective accordion is the stretch.

Tightness - in the neck, the base of the neck, in front of the withers, and behind the withers - blocks the horse's energy. Tension develops and the tightness over the horse's topline becomes visible through short strides, rushing, dullness or lack of response, and more.

Whether in walk. trot or canter, a well-established stretch over the back is the action that releases the topline. Take contact with the bit, use seat and legs to encourage impulsion, and slowly let the reins out as the horse takes up the slack. The key is that the horse should lower the neck and "chew" the reins from your hands, filling the space given by the reins.

Avoid losing complete contact, but continue to allow the rein length as long as the horse keeps reaching for the bit. Take a few strides in this manner.

Ask for a little more impulsion and now begin to shorten the reins. At this point, you might need several half-halts to help bring the horse up again, through roundness. Be careful to not just pull on the horse's mouth - this will cause discomfort and tension all over again.

Once the horse has rebalanced to a regular uphill outline, start all over again!

In the end, the horse that can accordion easily and effectively learns to travel with a more supple topline. The process can teach the horse how to release tension in the muscles and become more forward and engaged in movement.

Have you used this exercise in the past? Let us know how it has worked out for you.

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Esmarelda Meets the Horses of Horse Listening

Hi everyone,

My name is Esmarelda. In case you don't already know me, I am the esteemed mascot of the Equestrian Social Media Awards. Ever since the beginning of 2013, when the ESMA awards were announced, I've been very busy meeting and visiting with award winners and finalists all around the world. I've had an action-packed yearlong adventure, stopping in at some of the most renowned venues in equestrian sports.

You can imagine my excitement when Kathy from Horse Listening invited me to meet the horses behind the blog pictures! The timing was perfect as I was looking toward slowing down the hectic pace for a few days to have a short vacation.

lounging — Lounging amidst the shrubbery

Before long, I found myself driving through the beautiful rolling hills of the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario.

When I arrived, the horses greeted me like I was an old member of the family! Cyrus was so pleased to see me that he even did the horse "breath exchange" (see picture) with me - and so I felt completely at home.

Kathy says that it is very important for her to use original pictures for her blog posts, so her horses have agreed to pose and model for the many topics that she writes about. Although I knew them from their photos, it was really nice to meet them in "person" to learn more about their past accomplishments, and hopes and dreams for the future.

Here are brief notes from our visit:

Roya

Roya is an eight-year-old Canadian Warmblood. 132

Working on: She is proudly the most advanced horse in the herd, working on second and third level movements in dressage.

Quirks: Roya likes to manage the horses in her field. Her job is to be the "mover" of the herd. She tells everyone where to go, what to do and who to speak to (whether they like it or not)!

Favourite Food: The new "candy hay" (second cut) at the barn.

Favorite Thing To Do: Flying changes. She says that she especially likes the flying part of the changes!

Most Proud of: Coming second behind one of Canada's Olympic riders (in a Training Level class), achieving an all-time personal best score during that national level show.

Future Aspirations: Heading to the shows at third level and above.

What does your horse's expression tell you?

Cyrus

Cyrus is a seven-year old Canadian Warmblood.

Working on: First and Second level movements in dressage.

Quirks: Loves putting things in his mouth (speaking from personal experience)!

Favourite Food: His daily "midnight snack" (evening grain).

Most Proud of: Trailer loading. He LOVES going places!

Future Aspirations: Going to a show with Roya one day.

Annahi

Annahi is the dam of both Roya and Cyrus. She is a twenty-five year-old appendix Quarter Horse.

Annahi

Working on: Living the life of retirement luxury.

Quirks: None!

Favorite Food: Apples.

Most Proud of: Her "kids". Secondly, she is most proud of showing Kathy why dressage is so good for horses.

Future Aspirations: She says she is quite happy to "hand the reins" over to her kids and let them shine in the show ring the way she knows they can.

Kayla

Kayla at 30 Kayla is a 31-year-old Standardbred mare. She is the adopted "aunty" of the kids, as she has helped Annahi to raise, babysit and otherwise keep Roya and Cyrus occupied (especially when they were foals).

Working On: Eating.

Quirks: She is a natural free-legged pacer. She used to be able to rip out a 12-mile-an-hour pace at will (yes- under saddle!), secretly smirking at the horses who would be cantering just to keep up.

Favorite Food: Anything, really!

Most Proud Of: Her accomplishments in endurance riding and competitive trail in her younger days. The highlight was successfully completing a 55-mile ride at 5 hours and 5 minutes.

Future Aspirations: Eating.

****

Well, folks, as you can see, I had a barrel of neighs with my new friends. It was really nice to stand around and ruminate over their many experiences and the meaning of life.

Alas, I had to say goodbye too soon. But we exchanged social media pages so we can keep in touch for years to come!

I hope you keep track of my adventures, and be sure to check out the Equestrian Social Media Awards coming up for 2014!

Kind regards,

Esmarelda

Want to advertise your business on Horse Listening? Click here for more info.

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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.

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9 Things You Need to Know if You Want to Ride Horses

You might have liked horses all your life.

Or you might have had an awakening not too long ago that is urging you to explore horseback riding for the first time.

You can't tear your eyes away from the sight of glowing coats and rippling muscles.

You get excited every time you drive by horses in a field.

Contrary to your friends, you even like the smell of a barn!

And now, you know you are ready to take the first steps on the long road of becoming an equestrian. You've booked riding lessons at a local barn and you are convinced that you are ready to tackle the learning curve that lays ahead. Before you begin, here are nine tips to smooth the way into your new adventures!

1. Be prepared to be a beginner - for a long time!

Once you step into that stirrup for the first time, forget all about instant gratification. Instead, get all pumped up for the accomplishment of doing something for the long term.

Don't worry if your fingers fumble when putting on the bridle. Have no worry when the horse gives you a knowing look out of the corner of his eye: "This one is a beginner!" Just take the plunge into new feels, new learning curves and new coordination. It's all about the joys (and challenges) of being on the path.

2. Every horse has something to teach you.

If you ride at a riding school, and have had the chance to ride many horses over the course of a few years, you will truly understand that there is something to be learned from every horse you ride.

If you part-board or lease a horse, you can have the opportunity to work with one horse over the long term. You might develop a deeper relationship and maybe even know each other so well that you can read each other's minds. But always be appreciative of the chance to ride new horses because they will add to your depth of experience and repertoire of "language" you need to ride effectively.

3. Find an excellent mentor.

Your mentor might or might not be your instructor. However, this person will be critical to the success of your first years as a horse rider. She will be the one who can listen to your questions and concerns and give you the answers you need for your situation. She will guide you in your decisions and help you find the solutions that are necessary for your development - even if you are not aware of them at the time. Find someone you can trust.

4. Surround yourself with great professionals and horse friends.

It is true that you are the sum of the influences around you. So search for people you admire and look up to. Find the ones who you would like to emulate. Then, be around them and learn from them at every opportunity.

Get to know the professionals in your area - from nutrition, to health care, to training - it is essential for you to be surrounded by kind, compassionate people who always put the horse first when they make decisions.

5. Although the initial learning seems quick and easy, don't despair once your learning curve seems to slow down.

At some point, your riding skills will plateau and try as you might, new learning becomes frustrating and difficult. Be ready for that time period and be willing to keep trudging through - until you reach your next series of leaps and bounds. However, the plateaus will always reappear just before the next real learning curve; they are just a fact of life.

6. Be ready to be physical in a way you've never experienced before.

Riding is like no other sport because of the presence of the horse.

Rubbing your belly and chewing gum is an easy task compared to riding! In order to truly move with the horse, you have to learn to coordinate body parts you never knew you had, and then also stay on top of a moving 1,000 pound animal! But have no fear - it will all come together in the long run.

7. Watch, read, study, do.

It goes without saying that there is much learning to be done off the horse's back. Read books to study what the movements should be like. Watch videos of professionals and even amateurs (especially now that videos are so easily accessible on the Internet). Go to clinics and watch how other riders develop under the eye of an experienced clinician. Then take your own lessons, ride at clinics and shows or video yourself. Use every available means to solicit feedback.

Then study some more!

8. Be wary of the "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" stage.

This happens to everyone at least once in their riding career. There eventually comes a time, once you have made your mistakes and learned from them, that you begin to feel pretty confident about your equine-related skills. The tack no longer defies you. You develop the balance and coordination needed to walk, trot and canter without feeling like you might fall off any second. You can even ride and talk at the same time!

When it all starts to come together like this, you might become a little more confident than were at the beginning. You start to take more riding risks. You might think about changing routines to suit yourself better - change the barn, or ditch your instructor!

Before you head off into the land of grass is greener everywhere else, heed these words! You will want to spread your wings and fly - that is a fact. However, although there are certainly many ways to Rome, especially in the equine world, don't "instructor hop". Nothing is more confusing than trying to comprehend different people's systems over and over again.

9. Listen to your horse.

Although it sounds a little far-fetched, it is indeed possible to "hear" your horse if you understand their routines, structures and communications. If life is good, your horse will show you his pleasure by becoming more rideable. He will be calm but at the same time responsive to you. He will improve his ground manners, develop consistency under saddle, and work with you toward a better partnership.

If, on the other hand, he becomes less receptive, more difficult to handle, and lose overall condition, you will know this is not the path you want to be on. Just listen and then make decisions according to the feedback.

Well, there you have it! Hopefully, these tips will help you as you progress from newbie to old-timer!

Do you have any other suggestions for new riders? Write them in the comments below.

Buy the books for many more riding tips! Horse Listening The Book: Stepping Forward To Riding Success

From the first book:

Riding gives us the place to just be.

And so begins the book that reflects the most important learning I have had in all of my riding years: that I want to be the best rider I can be for the sake of my horses.

This book is geared toward the rider:

- the rider's motivations

- the essential skills for the rider

- some specific strategies

- solutions to common problems

- and the results: the great horsey moments we get to experience

Along the way, you will find chapters that discuss everything from the seat to the leg aids to the reins, discussions on half-halts, imbalance, halts, straightness and more!

Special in this book are the "In The Ring" sections that give specific suggestions based on the preceding chapters. Take these to the barn to try with your own horse!

Available in paperback or digital versions.

How You Know You’re At the Best Barn Ever

The quest for a barn that suits not only your needs but your horse's as well might seem to last a lifetime and propel you through many travels far and wide. Although it is sometimes difficult to find the first-rate location to plop down your tack trunk, don't despair! There are barns out there that do in fact meet all the following traits described below.

You'll know it when you find the right place. Like a pleasant afternoon sunshine-y day, the best-barn-ever leaves you feeling warm, content and satisfied - with your day, your ride, your horse and even with the wonderful interactions you had with like-minded people. This article is dedicated to the barns that have mastered the difficult balancing act of meeting everyone's needs, horses and humans alike!

Here is how you will recognize the place.

1. The horses are rolly-poly and content.

More importantly, they are healthy and vibrant. Their exercise program is conducive to maintaining good body condition and combined with a healthy and adequate feed program, the horses are able to work at their potential.

Their overall condition tells you the truth right away: the horses are receiving good care. Their coats glow in the sunshine and they have a bright, how's-it-going expression that welcomes visitors and barn staff alike.

2. The barn is gleaming.

A clean barn does more than just maintain good health for the horses. The spotless corners, clear aisleways and web-free ceilings tell a tale of care and attention to detail. When everything has its place and everyone works at maintaining a clean and safe environment, there is a sense of calm that pervades over all the activities that transpire through the day.

3. Fellow boarders are friendly and helpful.

People are genuinely pleased to see you. They are happy to be at the barn and with their horses. They treat their horses like the pets they are while also committing the time and energy required to ride to their own high standards - not only for their own benefit, but especially for their horse's well-being. You can count on them to give you a hand in times of need and to cheer you on when you run into challenges.

Your success is their success and you are all on the same team. Somehow everyone knows that personal bests are the winning rides, regardless of the ribbon color. There is only one thing to beat and that is your past accomplishment.

4. You know you can count on a reliable routine and schedule in the barn.

The timetable of the barn is so well established that you can predict the routine to within a reasonable time frame. You know when supper is fed so that you can plan for a post-dinner ride. Lesson times are clearly written down for all to see and there is special attention given to ensuring free arena time each week for the boarders.

5. Special needs are discussed and accommodated as best as possible.

Just like people, horses can be quite different from each other. What works for one horse might not be beneficial at all for another, and the best-barn-ever manager has somehow managed to find a routine that accommodates every horse's requirements.

Individual feed programs are standard and supplements are fed regularly. The horse that needs extra feed will get what he needs. The horse that can live off "air" does not get overfed.

6. Quality lessons are available and everyone is interested in improving their skills.

It goes without saying that everyone benefits from the availability of riding lessons. Having a knowledgeable eye on the ground benefits the horse owner, the horse and the facility.

7. People are available to help the owner problem-solve through difficult situations.

One of the most difficult situations a horse owner undergoes is making complicated decisions for the health and well-being of her equine friend. There is nothing more uplifting and supportive than barn owners, managers, boarders and friends who listen, trouble-shoot, offer solutions and make recommendations.

Done in the right way, friendly support can go a long way toward softening the bumps and hurdles of the challenges that come along with learning to ride, owning horses and keeping horses healthy and sound over the long term.

8. Conflicts are addressed in a non-confrontational manner.

Conflicts happen everywhere and the barn is no exception. It is never the conflict that is the real problem - conflicts are a part of life and impossible to avoid.

Instead, the key is how conflicts are handled.

There is a wonderful synergy of intentions at the best-barn-ever. Instead of people looking to blame or criticize their fellow barn mates, they work hard to communicate, collaborate and concur with each other, solving problems together and contributing their particular talents for the greater good.

9. There are high behavior expectations.

One of the key factors in maintaining a comfortable and friendly environment is in the people themselves. The best-barn-ever has an environment that encourages respectful behavior not only for the animals but also for everyone else in the barn. Courtesy and politeness reign supreme and it goes without saying. People put regular effort into maintaining peaceful and polite interactions.

10. You think of the barn as your "happy place".

You are happy when you go there. Your horse thrives on his routines. The barn is a place where you can develop - physically, mentally, emotionally - to become the best person you can be.

The barn "just fits".

***

Before you laugh me off with ridicule, accusing me of fabricating far-fetched dreams that never materialize in the real world, let me assure you that I can think of several places that have mastered this art. Surely there are many barns that fit in a similar manner for each of us, wherever we may be in our horse listening path!

If you are at a best ever barn, tell us about it in the comments below.

Horse Listening Book Collection - beautiful paperbacks with all the excellence of the blog - in your hands! Click on the image to learn more.

Buy the book for many more riding tips!

Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine

Stop wandering round and round aimlessly!

Horse Listening Book 4 is a compilation of the best patterns that have been shared on the Horse Listening Blog. The book is divided into five sections: Warm-Ups, Left and Right, Straightness, Suppleness and Collection. Each section has specific exercises and theory based on its topic.

But there's more!

There is a Special Center Section dedicated to only Transitions - something that we can all work on throughout our riding careers. And finally, scattered throughout the book are chapters that clearly explain theory, technique and skills that can help improve the featured exercises of teach Section.

Use these 20-minute exercises!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Horses. Riding. Life.

Author: Horse Listening

Five Components of the Ultimate Warm Up in Horse Riding

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Bend: How to Drift Out on Purpose

Five Reasons Why It Takes Two People to Ride One Horse

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Who “Owns” Horse Sense?

Can You Accordion Your Horse?

Want to advertise your business on Horse Listening? Click here for more info.

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine

Esmarelda Meets the Horses of Horse Listening

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

9 Things You Need to Know if You Want to Ride Horses

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the books for many more riding tips! Horse Listening The Book: Stepping Forward To Riding Success

Available in paperback or digital versions.

How You Know You’re At the Best Barn Ever

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Horse Listening Book Collection - beautiful paperbacks with all the excellence of the blog - in your hands! Click on the image to learn more.