The Roundup: Top 10 Horse Listening Articles of 2012
The end of the year is a good time to take stock of the old, and analyze where we've been so we can know where to go in the near future.
Taking a look back, I'm glad to notice that Horse Listening has grown this year into a more "all-rounder" type of blog since last January.
- New Archives pages reflect the topics of the articles, making it easier for readers to find specific articles.
- A new Listening Corner page collates the Listening Corner articles that are posted.
- Better quality, higher resolution pictures were made available by Natalie, a rider herself and a fantastic photographer with a great eye for capturing horses at their best. This is enabling me to use personally owned pictures (even if the subjects are not "pros"!), keeping the blog well within copyright regulations.
- A new email subscription service sends readers letters "With love, from your horse"! Be sure to join if you haven't done so already!
- Most recently, the new Horse Listening merchandise store features awesome Horse Listening items that you can use or wear at home!
With over 5,000 hits per month, and new readers subscribing daily to the blog, to our Facebook page, and to our Twitter channel, Horse Listening is trotting into the new year with something for everyone in the New Year!
Finally, here is a pictorial year end article roundup, based on most views since Jan. 1, 2012. Click on the picture to go to the article.
#10 . How Do You Develop 'Feel' in Horseback riding?
Developing ‘feel’ in horseback riding doesn’t have to be an impossible dream! If you can ride with feel, you will be able to respond immediately to your horse’s needs.
- Finding feel
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.#9. Horseback Riders Do Nothing Anyway!
Well, at least, that’s what “they” say. But we know differently, don’t we?
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.#8. 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.
- Everything Starts With the Seat
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.#7. Top 10 Ways to Reward Your Horse
This is our most popular post by far. What do great riders have in common that makes them appealing to watch, steadily develop their riding skills and become role models for others to aspire to emulate? A happy horse is a willing partner, and many horses will give everything they have if they feel your acknowledgement and generosity of spirit.
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.#6. Top 10 Annoying Riding Habits
Enjoy this tongue-in-cheek list coming from the opposite perspective – things NOT to do while riding!
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.#5. 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…
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.#4. 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.
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.#3. Demystifying "Contact" in Horseback Riding
Does “contact” have other-wordly connotations? Here is why effective contact is within reach of the average rider.
- Handshake by Aidan Jones
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.#2. The #1 Rider Problem of the Year (2011): The Outside Rein!
The outside rein is the most underused and poorly understood of all the aids, and here’s why.
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.#1. Ten Habits of Competent Riders
This is our most popular post by far. What do great riders have in common that makes them appealing to watch, steadily develop their riding skills and become role models for others to aspire to emulate?
The #1 Rider Problem of the Year: The Leg Aid
"Kick harrdddeeerrr!"
How often have you heard that before?
It might come from a well-meaning friend. It might be what you feel is necessary at the moment. It might even be the determined coach who sees the need for impulsion and translates it to being a lack of leg aids.
But you probably know from experience - kicking the horse along often does not get the response you really want. Your horse might:
- continue along in his meandering way, oblivious that you were "talking" to him
- pin his ears, swish his tail... and continue along in his meandering way
- hollow his back, become heavier in the bridle, and go faster, faster, faster
- pin his ears, look at you from the corner of his eye and STOP!
Of course, there are many other variations of responses clearly explaining to you - if only you listened - that kicking him in the sides simply will not achieve the purpose you had in mind.
And you wonder: what else can I do?
Let's go to the experts for some advice:
"What is essential is not to tighten the legs during the dressage training, but rather to use them without effort while allowing them to hang softly near the horse's sides." - Nuno Oliviera, Reflections on Equestrian Art, p. 117
"The greatest hindrance to driving the horse properly comes from riders stiffening their legs.... The horse cannot monitor tight legs as aids and will sour to the pressure, which he will interpret as a meaningless second girth." - Charles de Kunffy, Training Strategies for Dressage Riders, p.163
"Do not put your leg in one fixed point - let them loose to free the upper body. If you want a lazy horse and to exhaust yourself, squeeze with your legs. If you want a brilliant horse, active and relaxed, let go with your legs, forget your leg muscles while staying reactive, attentive and relaxed." Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg, Kottas On Dressage, p. 22
We can gather from these three brief quotes that strong, harsh leg aids are about as helpful as screaming louder to a person who doesn't understand your language. So what are leg aids for?
1) Impulsion
The legs in fact are the primary "natural" aids we have to encourage the horse to move forward with more energy. Ideally, using pressure in the rhythm of the horse's movement should be the way we communicate that the horse should reach further underneath the body and engage the hind legs.
2) Bend
The legs help to initiate a bend in the horse's body - the bend that should follow the arc of the circle or turn that the horse is moving through.
3) Roundness
The legs can even encourage the horse to lift his back by encouraging the hind end to reach under further so the topline can become lighter and rounder.
In horseback riding, the problem with the leg aid is that it's not just about the legs!
Unfortunately, the legs are not able to do all this alone. Life would be so easy if that were the case!
In each above scenario, all the other aids must accompany the leg aids in order to fully support the horse in the desired movement.
The seat must be another main actor - whether for impulsion, bend or roundness. The seat acts as an initiator as well as assistant in the horse's ability to "swing" his back - the final result of impulsion, bend and roundness. If the seat interferes at the wrong moment, or fails to enhance the horse's offering, all the leg in the world will be ineffective.
The hands are also as necessary and responsible as the other aids. What they do may alternately restrict or encourage the hind legs in their action.
So really, in the end, the leg aid is only part of the whole! Of course, this is all just the beginning of developing better coordination and timing in your aids. Without a good instructor, and consistent practice, the muscle memory that is essential will be out of reach and difficult to achieve on your own.
The next time you find yourself with flailing legs and resistant horse, stop and reconsider: are you using all your aids in unison?
If you liked this article, and would like to download a free pdf eBook of all the #1 Rider Problem series, click here for more information.
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
New Year Giveaway!
In celebration of the new year, and to thank you for your readership, we are giving away a single-page poster size (11"x17") of our Horse Listening 2013 Calendars to 10 lucky winners!
All you have to do is write the name of your favorite Horse Listening article. Go here to our Archives Pages to find the (correct!) title of your favorite post, and copy and paste the title in the comment section below.
The giveaway is open to current readers as well as new readers (so tell your friends!). The randomly chosen winners will be announced on the morning of January 2nd.
The calendars will be mailed shortly after the draw.
Good luck, and Happy Holidays!
The Night Before Christmas
I found this beautifully written version long ago on the Internet. It has stayed with me over the years, a symbol of 'horse listening' before there ever was a HorseListening.com.
Horse names have been changed to the names of my favourite four-legged equines!
Thank you, on this Christmas eve, for your readership.
It's the night before Christmas and I'm out in the barn
Blanketing my horses to keep them all warm.
They're eating their dinners, tucked cozy in stalls,
Not aware that it's Christmas, or any day special at all.
They dream of spring pastures from their pine-scented beds.
No visions of sugarplums dance in their heads.
But we people are thinking of merry parties and such
Quickly doing our tasks so we don't miss too much.
This season is special, but the horses don't know.
They munch on their hay safe out of the snow.
I finish my chores and head on inside
To get ready for dinner and my family's yuletide.
It's nearly midnight, the carols are sung.
I remember a story told when I was young
How at midnight on each Christmas Eve
The barnyard creatures can speak to us with ease.
I am called to the barn. I slosh through the snow.
I can't really explain; I know I must go.
I slide open the door, and stand there and smile
Then slowly walk down the dimly lit aisle.
A nicker from Cyrus, a soft snort from Roya,
Sweet, gentle Annahi gives me a wink
Big Boss rustles his bedding, Batique comes into sight
Even Darcy gives a greeting as I walk through the night.
I think about parties bright lit and warm,
The ones we don't go to cause we have the barn
And vacations and holidays that we usually don't get
Cause we have the animals and chores to be met.
Walking all the way to the end of the aisle
I stop to stroke Kayla and linger awhile
She snuffles my face, hot breath on my skin
And I look around at the others, my horses, my friends.
I could be at parties with laughter and mirth
But where I am right now is the best place on Earth.
From Our Barn to Yours.......Merry Christmas....
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Why the End of the World Didn’t Happen – According to My Horse
Dearest HL,
While we have the utmost respect for your incredible ability to manipulate your environment (mainly thanks to your opposable thumbs) and your unbeatable intelligence that rationalizes so many natural events in clearly explainable sound bytes, we were shaking our heads in disbelief when we heard that you were considering that the end of the world was neigh... err... nigh.
Although we are a seemingly quiet and complacent herd, we are nevertheless of good wit and sound mind, especially when it comes to the matters of nature.
And so we were amused at your explanations and proofs about the Mayan calendar. We came up with hundreds of reasons why we KNEW the world would go on past December 21, 2012, but we amassed only the top eight for you below:
8. The birds were still fluttering about conducting their usual daily activities. Everybody knows that birds are on the up-and-up when there is danger ahead. The chattering of the birds in the trees around our paddock continued on as usual, with no sign of secret gatherings or distant flight plans.
7. We were looking forward to our next "midnight snack" [ed. note: that means their regular grain in the evening] and knew it is served like clockwork.
6. We still have goals to meet. Personally, I want to become more supple during my renvers and straighter through the flying changes. I love it when I get better at a new skill!
5. We knew the snowfall we were going to get was going to be nowhere near the Armageddon-like flood that was being predicted! When we smelled the air, the crisp freshness told us that we were going to get just enough snow to cover the ground so we could make our snow horse angels.
4. The horses in the neighbor's paddock had already invited us to a pre-Christmas bash for Saturday night.
3. We knew from our ancient texts that the sky caiman that is vomiting water is only being used in a symbolic manner. Your interpreters have made an error in their translations - rather than being a cause of major floods, we believe the ever-abundant water represents "plentitude".
2. When we studied the night sky, we could see that all the planets were in their expected locations and showed no tendencies to any abnormalities. We also received our meteor shower as per schedule last Thursday night, indicating that the astronomical rhythms continue in their customary serene beats.
1. More people are horse listening everywhere! Now THAT is a sure sign of continued existence!
With love, from your horse
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
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Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine
Available as an eBook or paperback.
Read more here:
An Ode to Kayla Queen – As She Turns 30: Happy 30th birthday, dear Kayla, the exhilarating horse with a never-ending zest for living!
Moment of Beauty: Caught in the moment and recognizing it.
20 Ways Horse Riding Becomes Life Itself: You could say that horses are our teachers. Not only do we grow in terms of physical ability, but perhaps even more so, we grow in character.
5 Life Lessons From Horses: How can horses help us grow and develop in our own lives?
Because of Horses: What has changed in your life because of horses?
Horse Treats For Christmas
It's that time of year again! There are only a few days left until Christmas... keep your horse in mind and treat him well with a homemade horsey treat.
Better yet, make a whole bunch and share with everyone at the barn! These are easy to bake and horse approved.
Ingredients:
1 cup molasses
1 cup oats or sweetfeed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
Preheat oven to 350F, grease a cookie sheet.
Mix ingredients in a bowl, form balls and place the balls of dough on the sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Try adding shredded carrots and mashed up apples for a bit of extra juicy flavor!
Horses really enjoy this sticky but delicious treat!
Let us know how they turn out!
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 - perfect gifts!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 bodyhappier in his "work"better balanced all-aroundAvailable as an eBook or paperback.
Do You Want to Own A Horse?
You think you have everything in place to take the plunge.
Horse ownership is replete with dream-come-true moments, physical activity the likes of which is not provided by any other sport, and the sheer beauty of the magnificent animal that you can feel permanently attached to.
People often become lifelong horse owners and learn how to manage and maintain their lives in order to provide adequately for their horses. But in many cases, what begins as a fulfilled fantasy ends in a disastrous situation - perhaps for the owner, but more importantly, for the voiceless horse that is dependent on human care.
Although it may seem easy to leave a horse at a boarding barn that is managed by someone else, there are still other factors that can come into play that might make or break your ownership experience. Sometimes, what seems at first as a small inconvenience can turn into the deal-breaker.
Take a look at the questions below to see how many you can answer "yes" to. All of them are important factors in horse ownership.
Do you have time?
If you think lack of time at the barn might be a factor, then hold back from committing to horse ownership. Horses take time - to groom, to clean tack, to feed and turn in/out if you are going to care for them yourself. They want time for attention, handling, training. They thrive on routine, including regular riding. If you think you might have trouble getting to the barn several times a week, consider other options.
Do you have a fair amount of experience?
At some point, most of us were complete strangers to horses and the horsey lifestyle. Although we probably recognized a strong affinity right from the beginning, learning about the ways of horses takes several years of regular exposure and consistent feedback from someone who is willing to train you.
Someone new to horses might unknowingly live the adage: "a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing." Many people bite off more than they can chew, especially in the early years, simply because of lack of experience.
If you are still developing your skills, take another route. Try part-boarding someone's horse so you can learn as you go.
Do you have patience to spare?
Horse riding and training takes a lot of patience! At times, you must be willing to try again and again, and be satisfied with one step forward, two steps back. You will learn quickly that there is no replacement to consistency and that especially in horseback riding, there is no such thing as instant gratification.
There is an old horsey truth that the horse is the mirror of the rider. You must know before you step into commitment that the horse will only be able to do as much as you can, regardless of his previous training level. However, you can be sure that he will improve as you improve - and there is no shortcut!
Are you responsible?
You can count on one thing: problems will come up. For example, there may be unplanned injuries, when the horse ends up being unrideable for weeks on end. You will still have to pay for board and increase the level of daily care. Whatever happens, you have to always keep your horse in mind and be ready to be the "go to" person.
Is it more than just about how cute they are?
Yes, horses have historically been revered for their magnificence and enduring beauty. Watching a horse perform at his potential is an awe-inspiring moment, even at a basic level show or demonstration. Being witness to the power and grace of a rambunctious horse as he plays with his pasture mates can become a lasting memory. But none of the above should be the entire reason for purchasing a horse.
Are you humble and empathetic?
Some people seem to ride only to demonstrate their strength and superiority over such a huge animal. There is probably going to be a time to assert yourself, especially if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. However, if you want to constantly impose your desires on a horse regardless of the horse's level of ability or if you feel offended when the horse doesn't comply to your requests, then horse ownership is definitely not for you.
Good horse keeping is a life-long pursuit, and you learn something new from every horse you come across. It has been said that there is a horse somewhere that humbles every rider. You need to be able to separate the ego from the event and be willing to give it another try another day. Just like people, horses have good days and bad days. Know when to let it go.
Do you have a mentor?
Even if you have spent several years learning from the other people and their horses, you will do well to find yourself someone who is willing to help you figure out your horse, especially in the first few years. There is nothing worse than having to address problems for the first time without having the background or someone's help. Having a mentor can make all the difference in your success as a new horse owner.
Can you afford it?
It certainly is true that horse keeping is very expensive. Either you have to pay someone to provide care, feed, bedding and shelter for you, or you have to do it all yourself. After the basic requirements, you will most likely need to budget for riding lessons at the least, or horse training by a professional if your horse is young or needs additional training. Add to that vet bills, supplements and show costs, and you will have a good idea of the financial commitment you are making. Plan out all of this ahead of time!
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What can you do if you don't own a horse?
The possibilities are endless:
- take regular riding lessons to see if you can maintain a consistent riding schedule. Learn the basic skills of riding, and wait until such time that you have ridden several different horses of different types and temperaments, so you know what style of riding you like and what the ideal personality of your horse should be.
- ride someone else's horse. You might be lucky enough to find a horse owner who is happy to share their horse with you at no cost, especially if you are fairly experienced and can improve their horse's training in the process.
- part-board a horse and share in the wonderful experience of horse ownership without actually owning the horse. When part-boarding, you will discover what it is like to be part of a barn community and develop the experience necessary to know what to do during specific situations. You can always turn to the horse's owner to learn how to deal with horse health concerns and training problems that you might not otherwise be able to solve on your own.
- take on a full lease. Choose to take on a full lease if you want to be the primary rider of a horse, but you don't want to be responsible for the horse over its entire lifetime. Many owners are happy to lease their horse to someone who will incur the costs of keeping the horse and provide the regular exercise that the horse needs, even if only for a year or two.
Once you make the decision to take on the full care and responsibility of a horse, be ready to make real and significant changes to your lifestyle. Knowing what the possible difficulties might be ahead of time will enable you to make the best, most informed decision, and will likely predict the success of your endeavor!
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
