Horse Listening

To The 50+ Year-Old Horse Rider

I know you're out there.

In fact, I know there are more of you (us) than ever before.

It seems like more and more middle-aged people are able to maintain their health, finances and activity level enough to own, ride and care for horses well into their 50s, 60s and beyond.

Some people are coming to horses for the first time. Maybe it was a lifelong dream, or wishful thinking that is finally coming to fruition.

Others have been "in horses" since they were young children, and were among the lucky ones who have a long history of enjoying every avenue that horse riding has to offer: riding lessons, ownership, showing, trail riding, special tricks and performances (musical riding, anyone?) and so much more. Many of their lifelong friends are likely of the horse-loving variety.

Both types want to keep riding. They want to keep showing up at the barn, savoring the ambiance and environment that it has to offer. Most of all, they want to spend time with the horses themselves.

People often ask me what they need to do if they are older riders. Is anything particularly different for the over 50 crowd?

Well, sure. And, not really.

Because after all, a horse is a horse of course, of course!

If you look at the guidelines for people as they age, you'll see that horses and horse riding meet all of our "grown-up" needs. I'm no doctor, but I can tell you that being involved in horses maintains and maybe even improves many areas of our lives, such as:

general muscle strength (lifting, pushing, pulling)
balance
core strength
general mobility (both fine and gross motor skills)
emotional health
mental health
socialization
lifelong learning

Walk through any riding facility and you'll likely find children, teenagers, adults, "grown-ups" and every age in between. Age has little meaning to a horse. They respond similarly to all of us.

However, there are some things you might want to consider if you're in the "grown-up" category (although honestly, I'd give these same recommendations for children and new horse riders of any age).

Pick the right horse

I can't stress this point enough. The horse you ride/buy can make or break your experience - never mind your body! Know your strengths and limitations, and find the horse that will enjoy what you want to get out of riding. This might mean that you'd pick a more experienced, possibly older, but likely much more forgiving horse that will be happy to do whatever you want to do - whether it be a good grooming, a riding lesson, a trail ride on a nice day, or just hang out under a tree enjoying a nibble on some grass.

Stay away from horses that need more attention or require more athletic ability that you are able to provide. Younger horses may need to be ridden every day. They may need training by a professional. They may go through learning stages of their own, which might include bucks/rears/spins and whatever else a horse could do under difference circumstances.

Pick well!

Ride at your level

You might think riding at your level is common sense, but many people try to push themselves far outside of their comfort zone, for various reasons. As an older rider, you should constantly challenge yourself to keep developing new skills and "feels," but make sure that you are riding at a level that you can be safe and confident.

Take lessons to keep developing your skills

This is not to say that you should be content with maintaining the status quo. Learning to ride is a life-long quest and you can absolutely continue working on your aids, balance, coordination and timing. Keep setting goals and working toward personal bests. Realize that goals might take longer to achieve, but keep at it!

Finding a good instructor is even more important for someone who has no prior riding experience. There is no replacement for honest guidance and a safe learning environment and horse.

Take more walk breaks

This is a recommendation I'd give to "grown-up' riders as well as young children and anyone new to riding. Walk breaks give both you and your horse some time to catch breath, regroup, let the muscles relax for a moment, and allow some rest between more demanding work.

Use these moments to work on stretchy walks, lateral work at the walk, halts and then transition out of the halt, any sidepass/turn on the haunches/backup practice. Walk over poles, back around a pylon, work on inside leg to outside rein (bend)... the possibilities are endless! When you're ready, move back into the trot and canter.

Listen to your body

Well, here, I'm referring to the aches and occasional creaks the ol' body might complain about. Seriously, though, if you feel a recurring ache, or a new strain, be sure to listen. There is absolutely no reason to push the body to a point of disrepair and discomfort.

Take it easier, change what you're doing, or get off altogether and look forward to riding the next time. Getting hurt, even from something like a repetitive strain injury, is not worth the extra few minutes you can keep riding. Give the body time to recover.

Enjoy the social aspect

For many of us, interacting with fellow horse lovers is an essential part of the whole horse "experience." The barn is where friendships are made. Enjoy spending that extra time with your friends even while you're grooming or tacking up your horse. You might not notice - but your horse likely enjoys your chat time with your friends as much as you do!

All this to say, if you want to ride horses, your age doesn't really matter! Get out there, get active, and enjoy the companionship of this very special animal.

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The Best Of The Best From Horse Listening!

Five Years Of Horse Listening

2016 was our fifth anniversary, and we commemorated the event by compiling the top 20 most popular articles from the blog, covering topics such as:
- rider position (hands, seat, legs, elbows, upper body)
- improvement of the rider's aids (kicking, inside rein, outside rein)
- and more!

Learn More.

Read more here:

Riding Should Be fun, Right? The only thing you have to keep in mind is how you define fun at different points in your riding career.

Your Horse Is How Old?? 7 Tips To Ride For Longevity: Here are some "accommodations" I put into place for the horses as they aged. Some of these ideas might work for your horse as well.

Ode To The Stretchy Trot: Counting the ways I love the stretchy trot!

42 Ways to Learn, Play and Grow With Your Horse: Horses give to us in countless ways. We play, learn and grow with them, making horseback riding not merely a sport (which it truly is, like no other), but so much more.

Good Day For A Little Horseplay: Snort, snort, snort, SNORT! My gelding couldn’t tell me in any clearer terms how much he was enjoying the moment.

Jelly Elbows & Clutched Elbows & The In-Between

Maybe I should call this article something like, "How To Maintain Quiet Hands."

That's because we are more likely to notice the hands of the horse rider more than anything else. We likely never notice the elbows at all but there is quite a lot to be said about the elbows (see my previous post here).

This time, we're going to take a look at the two extremes of what can happen in the elbows, and then see what the in-between can do to help us keep quieter hands, more subtle rein aids, and generally become more stable in our riding position.

The Jelly Elbows

These elbows are often so willing to open that the rider often goes around the ring with straight arms. Jelly Elbows open whenever there is any pressure on the reins. Sometimes they close when the rider feels that there is little control of the horse, but then then they open again. Sometimes, they open wide even when the horse isn't pulling or falling to the forehand (and thereby putting pressure downward). You can get a feel for the confusion that these elbows can create just by reading through the above description!

When the elbows are inconsistent, the horse ends up feeling the result in his mouth. On-again, off-again contact often ends up being reflected in the horse's head. If you notice your horse bobbing his head up and down repeatedly, it might be due to on-and-off contact. Which might be due to jelly elbows.

The Clutched Elbows

These elbows are exactly the opposite of the the Jelly Elbows. These elbows stay tight and strong constantly. They usually have a strong "L" shape to them, and sometimes, they might be so tight that the rider can actually hold the horse's head and neck in place regardless of the amount of pressure on the bridle.

You won't see the horse doing much head bobbing with these elbows, because the pressure is consistent. But what you might see is the horse going around with a tighter, shorter neck outline. You might see the horse bracing through the jaw and neck because invariably, the horse is stronger than the rider and can capably hold that kind of pressure with the front end.

Some horses and riders go along seemingly fine for years and years in this manner, and many horses (but not all) comply without too much fuss. The thing is, if the rider tries to work on more demanding or advanced movements (like lateral movements or collection), there will be major stumbling blocks to overcome.

The In-Between

Well, this third alternative is absolutely the most difficult to achieve. This is why it might take years to develop really, truly "supple" elbows that can navigate through the gives and takes - and not change the pressure the horse feels in the mouth. Tiny, not-more-than-needed movement in the elbows is the key to achieving quiet, responsive (but not throw-away) contact.

How To Work On The In-Between

The best thing I know about finding those in-between elbows is to stabilize your hands and let the elbows do what it takes to keep the hands stable.

Try this:

If you ride in an English saddle, place your hands on the pommel of the saddle right above the saddle pad. If you have a bucking strap on your saddle, actually hold on to the bucking strap with both hands.

If you ride in a Western saddle, you have the pommel as well that you can just rest your hands on. Make sure they don't move.

Make your reins long enough that your horse is comfortable, but short enough that you have enough control to be safe (safety first always). Then start riding. (If you ever need to take your hands off the saddle to take up the reins to maintain control of the horse, do so. You can always stabilize the hands again after the horse is moving quietly)

Don't move the hands!

In trot, you'll be amazed at how much your elbows will need to move in order to keep your hands still. In canter, they move slower and more deliberately but your hands can still be steady and sure if the elbows open and close enough.

Don't worry if your horse isn't going perfectly for the moment, and just focus on your hands. They must stay still while the elbows do their job. You'll notice there will be times when the elbows MUST open and then there will be times when the elbows MUST close - all so that the hands can be quiet and calm.

When you get nice and comfortable with the elbow movement, take your hands off the pommel or bucking strap and try to maintain those In-Between elbows. Keep the hands close to each other, near the front of the saddle.

Every time you feel that you're heading back into the Jelly or Clutched elbows, go back to the pommel to remind your elbows of the feel you need. Then let go of the pommel and try again.

The thing is, if you can achieve suppleness through your elbows, you will also free up through the shoulders, the neck and even through your lower back. It's all connected. And guess what? Better contact will also be a part of the aids that free up the horse's poll, shoulders and back too.

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

From the first book in the Horse Listening Collection: 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.

How to Fix Your Horse’s Crookedness

Crookedness horse riding — Photo Credit: J. Boesveld

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it's true. Your horse's crookedness is all about you.

It's just that the more I know, the more I watch riders, and the more I ride horses, I can see that what "they" say is really true.

"They" say it's always about the rider. "They" say that the horse is the mirror of the rider, and it can only do as much as the rider can.

Of course, this means that everything the rider can or cannot do is reflected by the horse. Everything from tension, attitude, and yes... crookedness. Even for the long term.

And for those that say - "Yeah, but my horse CAME that way! He's the one that's crooked!" - I say: the rider has the power to fix all of the horse's misalignments through careful and correct riding.

In a way though, this is good news.

Because then you have the power to change yourself, right?

The tough part, of course, is to make the change happen. But with perseverance and effort, it can be done.

What does it take to actually change your "way of going?"

First of all, we need to identify what it is that allows us to keep doing what we're doing. How is it possible that we're so strong on one side, and so soft on the other, and how can we change it?

Obstacles That Keep Us "Blind"

There's a few reasons why changing the body's muscle memory can be so difficult.

Muscle memory is difficult to change - you just don't feel or notice your crookedness. The body is so very good at duplicating old movements that once we've established the "neural pathways," we no longer feel what we're doing. This can be the case for the large, complex movements that we have to do as riders, such as inside-leg-at-the-girth-outside-leg-behind-the-girth-inside-rein open-outside-rein-neck rein... sounds pretty complicated when it's all written out!
Unconscious movements: It can also be the case for those deep-in-the-pelvis core movements that you can't even feel - until they're sore later! In fact, these movements are the most difficult to change exactly because we don't have the same kind of intentional access to them. I mean, balance is balance. A baby learning to walk doesn't sit around and contemplate the many tiny muscle contractions and releases it will take to make that first walk step. The same goes for us in the saddle.
Your horse's kind compliance can also be a factor. Horses often do what you want, as crooked as necessary, despite the discomfort or difficulties that may cause them. In my experience, horses work through the crookedness or lack of balance as much as they possibly can. So while you may notice signs of discomfort, it takes quite a lot of sensitivity and "listening" to know what the horse is saying.

The Good News

...is that once you know you're part of the crookedness problem, you can fix it.

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It might take a lot more effort than you think you should put into something you already "know", but at least, if you do make these changes consistently, you're sure to see results in the long run.

How? You can go through this mental checklist the next time you ride. Start with understanding the ideas and see if you can make the physical changes you need in order to become a straighter rider.

Feel For Straightness

Can you tell if you're sitting on both seat bones evenly?
Are your shoulders (and belly button area) pointing straight ahead?
Are you looking through your horse's ears?
Do you have even contact on the reins?
Are your hands close to each other and parallel (one is not ahead of the other)?
Do you have even (fairly light) weight in your stirrups?
Are you pointing your whole body straight ahead?

Feel For The Turn

Are you on your inside seat bone?
Is your belly button (and therefore entire upper body) turned into the circle (or turn)?
Are your shoulders pointing to the arc of the circle?
Are your hands moved slightly in the direction of the turn, creating a slight open rein on the inside, and a neck rein on the outside? Are they STILL even and parallel to each other?
Do you have your inside leg on the horse at the girth?
Is your outside leg slightly behind the girth?

***

Of course, there's so much more to developing straightness.

Many people (rightly) are concerned as much with the horse's own innate crookedness as the rider's. And it's true. The rider comes to the horse with some crookedness issues, and the horse comes to the rider with the same. BUT.

If you learn to straighten yourself, you will also invariably straighten the horse. There's no two ways about it.

If you know what "crooked" feels like, and you know what to do about it, your body will straighten, and lo and behold, so will your horse's body. Because in the end, the horse is the mirror of the rider.

You might need to learn a few exercises in the meantime. You will need to become friends with the more complicated lateral movements beginning with leg yields and moving on to shoulder-in, travers (haunches-in) and renvers (haunches-out). You'll need to know how to align the horse's shoulders and rib cage with your aids. If you're not straight for those movements, you will surely realize it because your horse will have difficulty doing them.

A knowledgeable eye on the ground will help a lot because she can let you know if you're on the right track as you ride. You can make adjustments based on the person's input and learn what the new "feel" feels like.

Videos help a LOT! See if you can get a friend to video you from good angles (ones that can show your body position clearly) and then watch it over and over again.

Mirrors are even better! I know most of us don't have mirrors but there really is no better way to get instant feedback than riding in an arena with mirrors. What you see can easily be changed and you can learn to rely more on your visual feedback and literally see what straightness feels like.

Horse Listening – Book 2: Forward and Round to Training Success

If you enjoyed the above article, you'll find many related chapters about training horses and and the rider in Horse Listening - Book 2. Your favorite Horse Listening training articles are compiled in this beautifully bound paperback (or digital) book.

From Horse Listening Book 2: Forward And Round To Training Success

"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

Instantly order online. Click here to learn more.

Why We Dressage: The Rider

Dressage (in French) = To Train

It stands to reason, then, that all horse riders should learn dressage, even while specializing in their chosen discipline. I'm not talking about the type of dressage that it takes to get into a show ring well enough to put down a great score (which isn't a bad thing to do for sure), but the kind that teaches riders fundamental skills that are the basis of all good movement.

This is not to say that different riding disciplines don't teach effective skills. Far from it. But because dressage training is rooted in the absolute basics that all horses will go through (whether or not the riders are aware), time spent on developing the dressage in the rider is never wasted! Dressage can be a powerful addition to your regular riding program.

ALL disciplines use circles, straight lines, suppleness, transitions, energy from the hind end, and more. ALL riders can benefit from learning how to use their aids effectively, even if they ride in different tack with a different body position. Because in the end, "all horses have a head, a tail and four legs - and gravity sucks the same way for all of them!" (*credit for that quote goes to my long time awesome dressage instructor)

Here is what dressage can do for you, the rider.

1. Education

Let's start with the main reason. Riders from all disciplines will benefit from the fundamental instruction that is rooted in dressage. There is a reason that terms and phrases such as "inside leg to outside rein," "forward" and "hind end engagement" are pervasive in all riding arenas. While they are technically taught in dressage, they are applicable to all sorts of riding activities.

Riders who have spent some time learning the dressage basics will always have those skills to inform their future endeavors. Many riders from various disciplines use dressage techniques in their daily riding activities - not to take to the dressage ring, but to take to their preferred ring. Knowing what to do, why and when to use a technique or skill can make a huge difference in both the short and long term success of the rider.

2. Seat Use

When you hear "dressage," you probably instantly think "seat." The whole concept of using the seat as the beginning and end of balance, communication and "aiding" is a core teaching of dressage. When riders lack an educated seat, they likely spend their rides being reactive, out of balance, and ultimately, on the ground after an unplanned dismount.

Learning to use the seat effectively takes years of practice and is one of those things that you never stop developing, but every horse will benefit from your dressage-acquired seat.

3. Independent Aids

Another main component of dressage is to get the riders to use their aids independently of each other. So when the seat is balancing or asking for more engagement, the hands are not pulling but still adequately containing the energy that is delivered to them. The elbows might be soft but toned while the hands are closed and not letting the reins out. The seat does its job while the legs stay inactive and on the horse's sides until more energy is required.

It takes a considerable amount of coordination to be able to work each body part independently from the other, but it can be done.

4. Connection/Contact

Dressage riders spend a large amount of time on both contact and connection, and for good reason. Communication with the horse is critical in all endeavors and the way we communicate can make or break a horse's life. Many riding problems and even lamenesses can be corrected by achieving "connection" - that amazing feeling of the looseness of a horse that is moving confidently forward into your rein contact and responding to your subtle aids despite the great energy he is offering.

This is another life-long quest that can be beneficial to all disciplines.

5. Quality Movement

Movement is another essential part of dressage - but in reality, it is necessary for any kind of horse related activity. Movement is what we're all after, and good gaits are desired in all riding styles, whether it be under saddle, in harness or at liberty. You'd be amazed at how much an educated rider can influence the quality of their horse's movement.

Dressage concepts are extremely relevant for all horses and disciplines. Adding a little dressage into your regular riding routine can make a huge difference in the level of success in your chosen field. Don't take my word for it. Just listen to your horse!

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

Personally signed books available! Give the best gift for the horse lover in your life (or for yourself! ). Send me a message for more information.

From the first book in the Horse Listening Collection: Horse Listening, The 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

Available as an eBook or paperback.

23 Ways Your Horse is Your Life Coach

Horse Life Coach — "Let me tell you about you."

At first, I wanted to say that your horse is your therapist. Let's face it - there are equine assisted therapy programs sprouting up rapidly these days, and for good reason. Interacting with horses really do teach people many things about themselves.

But then I realized horses do even more than that.

If you're lucky enough to have horses in your life on a regular basis, you will know that horses create opportunities that develop a person in every way possible. It's not just about the mental/emotional aspects, although those are certainly key areas that develop thanks to the horses. It's about everything.

So I considered the possibility that horses are more like life coaches. Life coaches help a person with every aspect of their lives - professional, physical, and personal goals. The list can be endless.

Yes, horses will help you understand and improve more aspects about yourself than you could ever imagine.

If you're lucky enough to have a horse in your life, you will likely have examples of many of the following ways a horse can help you on your path toward self-improvement and growth:

Gives a great hug (makes a great companion)
Helps you focus on something NOW (takes your mind off everything else for a couple of hours)
Gets you walking - in mud, dirt, gravel, sand (who gets to walk in sand on a regular basis?)
Calms you down (as you pet/brush him)
Kissable any time (!!)
Improves core stability and balance
Gives opportunity for weight lifting (carrying buckets and saddles)
Helps you find like-minded friends
Improves fine motor skills (buckles and more)
Builds self-awareness (physical and emotional)
Encourages life-long learning (and humility)
Develops leadership skills
Is the reason for life-changing opportunities (horse events, shows, rides, performances)
Creates confidence (doing things you never thought you could)
Encourages responsibility (take care of your horse first)
Listens (for as long as you need to talk)
Pushes you past your fears (keep working on personal bests)
Teaches you to take feedback/advice from others
Develops your perseverance and the satisfaction of a job well done
Shares the natural world with you (on the trails, in the pasture)
Invites quietness and reflection
Teaches body language
Is the reason behind setting lifelong dreams and goals - and helps you fulfill them

How has your horse enriched your life and taught you something about yourself? Comment below.

From Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life.

"Something about riding horses prompts us to work on our own mental aptitude and attitude. From the coordination of the aids to developing the elusive FEEL that comes along with riding, there are concepts in this book that will help you explore the hidden factors of riding - the ones you may not have the time to really explore while you are on the horse's back....

As the years pass by, and you become a HORSE person, you will realize that horses (and riding) don't just impact your abilities - they impact your life."

40 chapters (196 pages) take the reader through an introspective journey designed to ultimately benefit not only the rider, but the horse. Learn about:

horse ownership and horse care

the theory behind the riding strategies

goal setting for the rider

specific rider skills

Available as an eBook or paperback.

How A Simple “1,2,1,2” Can Improve Your Ride

It's such a simple thing that you might not think about it in the first place.

However, if you're a hunter/jumper, you might be absolutely familiar with it because you simply can't navigate through the jumps without doing it.

What is it?

Counting strides.

The difference between dressage counting and the jumping kind is that there is no jump to count up to. So it's easy to forget about it and just go along however things work out. But there's so much to be gained from the count!

All you have to do is count. 1,2,1,2,1,2... and so on, with each step of the front feet. You can count in all the gaits, in their own rhythm. But the 1,2... must stay consistent in each gait.

Of course, the tricky part is to get your horse to keep that same 1,2... in the gait. If you take some time to watch riders from the ringside, you might notice the tempo speed up and then slow down and then speed up again. The horse scrambles in speed, then quits through the turns or circles, then speeds up again when a leg aid is applied. Usually, the horse just goes along and the rider changes tempo to meet the horse's changes.

But the idea is to let the counting help you maintain tempo. Consistency is key for so many reasons!

How can counting the strides help? Here are five things that might improve for yourself and your horse.

Rhythm

First off, keeping a steady tempo will quite certainly help you maintain your horse's rhythm in each gait. Change of leg speed almost always throws the horse's weight to the forehand, and can cause variations in the footfalls. If you focus on tempo, your horse will have a better chance of maintaining "pure" gaits - that is, keeping a walk to an even 4-beat, keeping the trot to a consistent diagonal pair 2-beat, and the canter to a 3-beat with the moment of suspension.

So, the first focus of your count should be to ensure that the horse has an even and consistent rhythm at each gait. Feel for the strides and listen to the footfalls to gauge the quality of the rhythm.

Balance

Lack of tempo often causes balance changes in the movement. Have you ever felt like you were going just great at the trot and then suddenly there's a small whiplash dive to the forehand, then a sudden blocking of the energy? Your upper body falls first forward and then backward. The tossing around you feel is connected to balance changes as the horse also falls to the forehand or loses engagement.

Balance is the second almost natural result of the 1,2... count. When you stabilize the leg movement, the horse will have plenty of time for each leg to come through. This allows for a stronger and more consistent weight bearing from the hind end, which will allow the horse to keep better balance. You won't be flung around as much, and soon enough, you will both float along as if "one."

Looseness

As the horse relaxes in the gait, he will likely find more opportunity for "free movement." You might notice more bounce in his stride, more reach through the shoulders, and more swing through the back. To me, it feels like a trampoline. Beware! If you cannot become loose yourself and ride that motion, you will likely block your horse from continuing in this manner. So you have to feel for the looseness, recognize it and ride it!

Posture

Once you have a steady rhythm, consistent balance, and looseness, the horse's posture will just fall into place seemingly on its own. The back will rise and fall, the body will round and the horse will begin to tilt a little more in the hind end. Your horse's neck will assume a height that is natural to his conformation. No more high heads, no more diving down necks.

Connection

The next step is an improved sense of connectedness between the horse and rider. The horse may reach more for the bit. The rider might be able to keep her own balance better and therefore stay better with the horse's movement. There will now be an opportunity for the aids to become more subtle.

The communication will be much more pronounced and clear than it ever can be when the horse is inconsistent. This means less rein aids are needed even while the contact is improved.

Athleticism

Finally, you might notice an amazing increase in athletic ability, both from the horse and the rider. All it takes is a small change of aid for anything - downward transition, sharp turn, change of bend, lengthen. Any movement becomes easier because the basic balance is already in place. The horse is stronger, looser, maybe slower than before - these will all contribute to better comfort in movement for both the horse and rider.

One last note: use the half-halt! Initially, keeping that absolutely consistent gait will likely be difficult. If you aren't used to counting strides, you will have to work hard to identify when the tempo speeds up and slows down. Then you will have to figure out how influence the horse to not let him rush but also not slow into disengagement. The half-halt is definitely an integral part of the puzzle.

Wow!

All this with a simple 1,2,1,2... count?

Try it and see what happens for you and your horse.

Horse Listening Book Collection - beautiful paperbacks with all the excellence of the blog - in your hands!

Buy the book for many more riding tips!

Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding

From the first book in the Horse Listening Collection: Horse Listening, The 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 digital or paperback.

What To Do When Your Horse Loses Balance

balance horse listening — Photo Credit: J. Boesveld

There are many reasons why a horse might lose balance while under saddle:

change of footing (dips and bumps)
something interfering with his front feet (hits a rail during a jump)
rushing (not paying attention where the front feet are going)
gait problem (front feet brushing each other for some reason)
balance issue (too heavy on the forehand)
tension or braces against your aid and loses footing in the process

* This article is not about a health issue that may cause stumbling; rather, it is about a riding-related loss of balance. If any health problem is suspected, please consult with a veterinarian.

In any case, loss of balance can be a problem for many riders. If you can identify why your horse is stumbling, you can begin to address the cause with one or more of the five tips below. They will give you a good idea of how you can influence the horse's balance.

1 a). Don't fall with him

It's not fun getting bounced around in the saddle. You have two choices when the horse loses balance: stay balanced yourself (and help him get his feet back underneath him) or fall with him, thereby putting him even more off balance and risking a trip or real fall.

You can let your reins out if needed to let him regain his own balance. However, you should not add to the problem. Stay tall and strong.

1 b). Stabilize through your core and try to change as little as possible.

Again, if your horse tilts forward to the forehand, the last thing you should do is let your upper body flop forward over his neck (unless you can't help it). Instead, tighten through your core muscles and keep your upper body as quiet as possible. The horse will need time to regain his balance, and it is best if you can maintain your own balance as much as possible until he can regain balance. Do #2 if needed.

2. Lean back!

It might help to lean back, even further back than normal, especially if your horse is tilting forward. In this manner, you can counter the pull of gravity by maintaining your balance as the horse leans to the front. This will free up the horse's front end and prevent excess weight on the forehand.

3. Slow down.

Stumbles often happen when the horse is moving too quickly, too heavily on the forehand, or bracing against an aid. In all those cases, it is helpful to ask the horse to slow down his leg speed (tempo).

Half-halts are essential to help maintain and re-establish balance. Use a well-timed half-halt to slow down leg speed, if the horse is moving too quickly, and to re-balance toward the hind end. This will allow his legs that extra split second needed to "come back under the body" - meaning that he will be able to have the four legs (but especially the hind legs) supporting the body weight.

4. Be ready to move with him immediately after.

It won't be helpful to keep slowing him down, as it may cause the horse to disengage in the hind end. So as soon as you can, allow him, or even encourage him, to take a few larger steps. This will enable him to step deeper underneath the body with the hind legs, which will help take his weight off the forehand.

You might feel a surge of energy and that is just fine. Just be sure to ride right along with the movement and let the horse freely do what he needs to do to regain tempo.

***

You might be thinking that riding through a stumble is all about letting the horse handle it himself. In fact, it really is. The horse knows how to regain and maintain his balance. It's best if you become as invisible as you can and let him fix the problem.

Once he has his balance, just go on with your ride as if nothing happened. Don't make a big deal about a stumble, or try to correct the horse with stronger aids or "chasing" the horse along. Instead, keep riding and pay close attention to see what is causing the balance loss. Trouble-shoot the situation and see what you need to do to prevent future stumbles.

Product Review: StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™

My claim to fame is that I tend to have looser-than-normal girths when I ride. It's not because I want the saddle to slide off; rather, it's so that I can keep my horse as comfortable as possible.

My (now 29 years old) show mare, Annahi, taught me early on how sensitive she was to tightness around her girth area. She is chestnut and thin skinned. She would also sweat quickly when in work. Long before I knew much about saddles and saddle fitting, I would take extra care to not tighten the girth too much so as not to put too much pressure or cause girth galls.

And so my most recent purchase for my gelding, Cyrus, was bought with the same purpose in mind. It is a new style girth, wide and long enough to distribute pressure, and made of soft leather.

I thought it was perfect.

Until I talked to Justin of Total Saddle Fit about their newest girth, the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™. I have heard of the company before. Their original girth, the Shoulder Relief Girth™, is already being used by some of the top level riders that I most admire in my area. I had seen them at the shows and was always intrigued about their design.

Before I knew it, the newest model of the SRG arrived at my door. This girth comes with three types of liners: neoprene, leather and sheepskin. I ordered the leather and the sheepskin liners.

It is called StretchTec because it has a feature that I haven't seen in any other girth model: the elastic in the middle of the girth.

If you haven't held one before, it might seem a little overly flexible at first. The girth is divided into three sections and so it feels different when you carry it. Think of a three-piece snaffle bit with the French link in the middle and you'll have an idea of how the movable middle of the StretchTec feels.

My friend and I played with it by each holding an end to watch the stretch action. The elastic is wide to the back of the girth, but is held snug at the front by the leather of the girth. We could imagine how this elastic would allow for the horse's girth area to expand and contract as we pulled and released it. The action was the same with both the custom designed leather and the sheepskin liners.

I tried the girth with the sheepskin liner first on Cyrus.

You can clearly see how the girth is cut back at the elbow to allow greater freedom of movement. The middle of the girth falls forward and naturally into the horse's girth groove while the cut back section allows the saddle billets to be directed straight down. This prevents the saddle from being pulled forward to the horse's shoulder blades, hence, the "shoulder relief" action of the girth.

Next, my friend tried the leather liner on her horse, Boss.

The leather liner is also wide and made of a pliable, quality leather. In my opinion, it's perfect for a tidier "show" look (but honestly, the fleece liner would be great at a show too). It comes off in seconds and can be cleaned as you would any leather tack.

But the key feature was most evident when I looked underneath the horse's belly at the elastic.

The "stretch" part of the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™ has got to be the most innovative feature I have ever seen on a girth. It literally expands and contracts with the horse's movement. While it stays flush to the body and keeps the saddle balanced and snug on the horse, it allows the horse's girth area the flexibility it needs for any and all movement and breathing.

While I thought that the leather liner would be my preferred choice, I realize now that the sheepskin liner is soft, cozy to the skin, and easily washable. You could use the sheepskin for everyday riding (and wash at will) and use the leather liner for special events.

I have to say that I have never had a better girth on any of my horses. Even my newish "fancy" girth is not nearly as beautiful and functional. I can now say goodbye to loosely fitted girths, and hello to snug-without-restriction. If only there had been such a thing when I was riding my sensitive chestnut mare, Annahi!

There are many more details available for you if you'd like to learn more about this girth. The Total Saddle Fit website has diagrams, videos and more information about the design and rationale behind the StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™.

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

Read more here:

Ode to the Stretchy Trot: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Horseback Riders Do Nothing Anyway! Well, at least, that’s what “they” say. But we know differently, don’t we?

14 Reasons to Love Horseback Riding: There must be hundreds of reasons why people enjoy horses and horseback riding. Here are fourteen.

8 Ways To Help Your Horse Achieve His Highest Potential: Regardless of what we want to do with our horses, our first responsibility is always to the horse.

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

Product Review: StretchTec Shoulder Relief Girth™

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