Keeping horses at your own place can be a daunting task. Going out in freezing/hot and humid/pouring rain/ snow storm weather is not for everyone. Early mornings and late nights, staying home when others go out/on vacation/sleep in (occasionally) can be enough to keep most people far away from barn management. The work is physical and thankless and it MUST be done regardless of your mood or health condition, because the horses depend on it.
So, in contrast to all the negatives, here are a few positives that keep us going when everyone else is enjoying their leisure time.
8. Feeling the "bright and early" (in the dark of winter) crispy air freshness drag you out of your first-thing-in-the-morning-sluggishness before even the birds start chirping!
7. Hearing the soft, encouraging "Welcome! Now get our breakfast going" nickers as you walk in the barn.
6. Hanging on to the lead rope, speed-walking beside the bright-eyed, perky-eared, energetic horse on a mission to the paddock - every day is a new discovery!
5. Listening to contented munching sounds mixed with occasional heartfelt snorts as the horses start on their hay breakfasts.
4. Getting a chance to "read" the stalls to know how your horse spent the night and is feeling in the morning.
3. Knowing what is fed and when it is fed - no arguments/negotiations to deal with about the feed you want your horse to have!
2. Being at the barn at least twice a day makes for an easy "check" to make sure all is well with the horses, and a good excuse to ride since you're already there.
1. No gym membership needed - especially after moving the hay bales and mucking stalls (strength training), walking back and forth to and from the paddocks (cardio training), interspersed with wheelbarrow dumps (interval training). It's all covered each and every day!
What are other perks that you enjoy as a "keeper" of horses?
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions.
This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.
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Horse Listening – Book 2: Forward and Round to Training Success
Imagine experiencing the dread that comes along with having to do something particularly undesirable. Except in this case, in some miraculous way, the "powers that be" come to your rescue - and actually rescind the request. Can you imagine the relief you would feel when you realize that you would NOT have to do the task?
Some horses get into the same emotional (and physical) bind when it comes to transitions. At times, it can happen even to the best of horses - a new learning phase with higher expectations might spark either mental, emotional or even physical stress. There may be ear pinning, tail swishing, hopping, kicking out, teeth grinding -so many signsthat your horse might be finding the task too difficult.
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. You kick, use your voice, use the crop, rock your body over the forehand of the horse - anything to get that canter!
The horse's response can range from a mild hesitation to an outright buck or rear. Eventually, you win - the horse launches himself into a lurched, scrambling canter, running off at warp speed just to keep the three-beat gait. Ears are pinned, tail is swishing, and the strides feel awkward and unbalanced.
Many riders feel that the discomfort must be a sort of right of passage, and the horse must be driven through this awkward and unbalanced phase. Surely, the horse MUST give in one day and eventually settle into a nice calm, rhythmical canter - it only takes time and enough repetition. Right?
Well, probably not.
It is true that some horses do "give in" and eventually canter more promptly - but there will always be an element of tension and lack of balance. What needs to be changed is the pattern of asking - the horse needs to be shown how to be calm and confident in the canter departure.
There are many methods to teaching a good transition but the "not canter" works easily and well if performed with gentleness and empathy. It is actually very simple - the difficult part is the waiting and patience that is required.
How to "Not Canter"
Establish a good calm, slow, rhythmical trot.
Apply the aids for the canter.
Then do not canter.
That's it!
Of course, your horse will react the same way he has the past hundred times. He'll pin his ears, shake his head, grind his teeth. He'll tighten his back and brace himself for a launch into the canter universe.
And you will NOT.
You will keep trotting - keep the rhythm, staying steady, slow, calm. Wait until he releases the tension, finishes the hops and tail swishes. Wait for the sigh of relief when he realizes that he doesn't have to perform on the spot.
Re-establish the trot.
Then, ask for the "not canter" again.
Keep doing this and wait for the horse to respond more calmly to your aids. He may be confused at first - why ask for something when you don't want it? But eventually, he'll see that the canter aids don't have to cause all that tension.
Celebrate!
If he happens to reach further underneath himself with his hind legs, you will celebrate. If he snorts and swings better in the trot, you will celebrate. If you discover that he takes larger trot strides, you will celebrate. Because even though these are not the canter, they are all the prerequisites to a good canter. They are all mini-steps in the right direction.
Then ask for another "not canter". And another. And another.
One time (probably sooner than you expect), the horse will canter. But it will be hesitant, slow stepping, breaking back to the trot. And you will celebrate that too!
Stick to the program - calm, slow, rhythmical trot. Put on the aids again: "not canter".
Wait for the next canter attempts, and once or twice, accept the canter. Do your best to follow the movement - but don't force it. Accept tentative attempts. Encourage by petting and ONE time, ask for a real canter. If there is a hint of tension, back off and "not canter" again.
Feel free toquit at any time that you feel your horse has somewhat calmed. You can always pick it up again tomorrow.
And be sure in the knowledge that this "not" path to the canter is much faster and truer than any method that requires force. Your aim is to prove to the horse that you will always give him the benefit of the doubt, and that you are willing to wait for the "results".
Happy riding!
Note: The "not" technique can be used for any movement: the "not trot" (from a walk), the "not walk" (from a trot or canter), the "not shoulder-in", etc. It is essentially a frame of mind - can be used anywhere and any time!
**Caution: The "not canter" might not be helpful in all circumstances. If a young horse is cantering for the very first time, this would be counterproductive. Also, there may be instances where a horse might become too excited if the energy is contained too long. Always use your best judgment in using any techniques, and seek the help of a more advanced rider/trainer if necessary. And always let the horse be your guide - you should be able to identify fairly quickly if the horse appreciates the technique.
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions.
This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.
I don't believe in putting my work behind a paywall. But there are expenses in every venture. If you really liked this article, consider tipping us! Your tip will help me keep producing more riding TIPS (pun!) with free access to everyone. With thanks for reading!
Click to learn more.
Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening Book 2 – Forward And Round To Training Success
Stop printing off the articles! Your favorite training articles are compiled in this beautifully bound paperback book. Have everything at your fingertips - this book can be taken to the barn as a quick refresher or leisurely read at home.
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:
10. Use your outside rein (do your best to keep the horse "straight").
9. Follow the horse's back with your back (ride "in" the movement).
8. Refine your aids - hands, legs, seat, weight.
7. Video your rides and analyze.
6. Set realistic goals (small and achievable).
5. Ride regularly.
4. Lesson regularly.
3. Ride in and/or audit clinics.
2. Read, read and read some more.
1. LISTEN TO YOUR HORSE!
* Do you have any other New Year's riding resolutions? Comment below! *
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Among all of our riding challenges, this problem is the one that should be on the top of the list.
The outside rein is the most underused and poorly understood of all the aids, and here's why. Human beings, as bi-peds, are hand-fixated.
That is, we do EVERYTHING with our hands. Being vertically inclined, we lean forward and almost in all interactions, reach toward something with our hands. It stands to reason that we should use this same mechanism when it comes to riding. For example, steering a horse is as simple as steering a bike - just grab the rein on the turn side and pull! The horse's head turns in that direction, and the legs must follow.
Right?
WRONG!!
One of the most incomprehensible things that we humans have to deal with when we decide to ride horses, is to reprogram our natural tendency to lean forward and pull on the rein. It is a most unfortunate undertaking, as this natural inclination is so hardwired in us that it feels wrong to stay balanced on top of a moving horse and use our leg and seat aids before our hands. And so we start on a long journey of "re-wiring"...
... and one of the most difficult concepts in riding happens to be the use of the outside rein. We become experts at riding with a tight inside rein and a loopy outside rein. We teach the horse to stiffen on the inside jaw and "pop" the outside shoulder. We ride up the rail with the shoulder "out" and the haunches "in" - almost moving diagonally without knowing it. If we only knew how simple it would be to allow the horse to move straight - using a straightening outside rein!
What to do?
The solution to the outside rein lies in the inside leg and seat bone. You've heard it time and again: "inside leg to outside rein". Well, it's not really about your leg - it's about the horse's balance. The horse needs to "step away" from your leg in order to take his weight more to the outside. This will help him stretch the outside of his body, bend toward the inside and "fill" your outside rein.
Your inside seat bone encourages the weight shift. It accepts the thrust of the inside hind leg and then shifts the weight even more to the outside. In this way, you help your horse balance as you go around the ring. And somehow miraculously, you discover you have an outside rein!
Now, it is your responsibility to maintain this new connection. That is, use the "contact" - don't abuse it by throwing it away! Give when needed, take when needed, resist when necessary (or preferably, do all three in a split second!). But by all means, keep it connected! If you can keep the rein straight, you will also keep your horse straight - through the shoulders and neck (your legs are responsible for the horse's hips).
So on your next ride, remember the outside rein. But remember even more, that it's not just about grabbing the rein - it's about setting the horse up through its body so that he "fills" the outside rein. Then, when you have one, do something with it!
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. This is just the "irritating" thought - the one that sparks you on to delving deeper into the subject. We all know that finding that outside rein (correctly) is no easy feat. The best path to this solution is to find a competent instructor who can give you consistent, accurate feedback.
Good luck and happy riding.
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions.
This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.
I don't believe in putting my work behind a paywall. But there are expenses in every venture. If you really liked this article, consider tipping us! Your tip will help me keep producing more riding TIPS (pun!) with free access to everyone. With thanks for reading!
Click to learn more.
Buy the bookfor 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 on 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!
How can you have fun with your favourite equine in the middle of winter? Just head off into the bush, with careful step and controlled feels-like-she's-gonna-explode-any-second excitement. Take it easy at first - gently walk until you can get a good handle for the footing. Then take the first tentative steps into the trot - ahh.. the ground is good. Enjoy the bouncy pleasure and the exuberant snorts, but don't let the young mare get past the point of no return (=start a bucking spree!). Let the energy out judiciously....
Now that she's settled, and we have a slow and steady (but animated and still threatening to explode) trot, let's start playing a game: shoulder-in left, haunches in left, renvers left, (very careful and short as there isn't much room) half-pass left. Good girl! Now try the right - shoulder-in (keep the outside shoulder straight darling!), haunches in, renvers, and now three half-pass steps right. That's it!
Do it again! And again! And AGAIN! What fun!
What? She wants to canter!
Well, only if she steps verrrry carefully over this hard ground. She'll have to stay in a tight little ball, no real speed. But you can try...
No! She can't buck! Didn't she say she wanted to canter? You love her enthusiasm, though!
That's it - careful, super-controlled three-beat. Right lead first? OK - just a few strides. Oh the snorts! That feels soooo good!
How about the left lead? That one's a bit harder and stiffer... set up gently first - straighten the body, steady the trot, wait for it! Wait for it! OK now take a stride. And another - and another! What fun!
And finally, a long-stepping, muscle-releasing, casual walk up the hill and turn for home. Breathe in that super fresh air and take a look at the beauty of the foliage, that even in its shriveled, brown, winter form, has a charm that delights the mind and thrills the soul.
Get home before the cold really settles into the body.
And that is what winter fun is all about!
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions.
This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.
I don't believe in putting my work behind a paywall. But there are expenses in every venture. If you really liked this article, consider tipping us! Your tip will help me keep producing more riding TIPS (pun!) with free access to everyone. With thanks for reading!
Click to learn more.
If you’d like a structured, but personal tool to set goals, take a look at the new Goal Setting for the Equestrian: A Personal Workbook. The pages are designed for you to set and keep track of your progress over the course of a year.
Included in the book:
design your overarching goals
long- and short-term planning,
debrief your special events such as clinics or shows
reflect on, plan and evaluate your goals
sample goals and pages
The Workbook is available for instant digital download so you can print the pages right off your computer. There is also the option of a paperback version if you’d rather have a professionally bound book to hold in your hands.
What is so great about the Internet? The many web sites that are available for Horse Listeners to peruse and ruminate over! We accumulate monthly links to sites deemed especially Horse Listening friendly, in order to provide you with a few "tried and true" links. These sites have distinguished themselves by contributing something special in their own way to the accumulated knowledge on the Internet. Please visit the sites and enjoy them for their unique perspectives on horses and riding.
For more "Best of the Web", go to the BoW page here.
I've worked with horses all my life. I'm a groom and a writer of equestrian articles. I've written for Pony, Horse and Rider, Ireland's Horse and Pony and Equestrian Life. Now I'm writing a book - School Your Horse - there's more than one way.
Look to School Your Horse for accurate and in-depth information about all things riding from a dressage perspective. Lorraine tackles common issues that you might run across, and her insight would be beneficial to all disciplines of riding. In the featured post above, "Get Your Horse Connected," Lorraine goes through several essential building blocks that are required to keep your horse working correctly in order to be able to carry the rider in a comfortable manner.
But don't stop there! The web site is loaded with so many useful posts that you can probably find many posts that will be directly beneficial to you and your horse! Additionally, Lorraine puts it all into no-nonsense, easy to follow language that takes the mystery out of the more complicated concepts of riding. Enjoy!
Why do we have this website? To educate anyone who wants to learn about what it takes to become a Professional Equine Groom. To further the educations of Professional Equine Grooms. To share ideas, dilemmas, and concerns. To come together as a community, to unify the job across all disciplines, and create a foundation of respect within the horse world.
You may think you don't need grooming advice (really - how much is there to grooming anyway? (- JUST KIDDING!!) but Liv, the owner of the website, has accumulated so much useful information here that once you start browsing, you won't be able to stop! Find information about pulling off a loose shoe, feeding grain and cleaning saddle pads. Best of all, you can find a guest post by yours truly about Zen and the Art of Grooming from a Horse Listening perspective! 🙂
Kay is an internationally known Bio-Nutritional Consultant and Photopuncture Educator specializing in alternative health and nutrition approaches for horses and pets. As the Owner and Director of Grand Adventures Ranch – Holistic Equine Wellness Center, she has developed therapeutic programs for horses afflicted with a wide variety of metabolic problems and protocols for assisting people to bring their equine partners back into Optimal Wellness.
Stacey Kollman is a Tucson, Arizona, horse and rider biomechanics coach and horse rehabilitation expert whose work centers on helping horses live healthy and happy lives. She accomplishes this through innovative education programs, challenging horse owners to discover new levels of awareness, connection and responsibility.
Go to The Intentional Horse to find information about alternative therapies and holistic nutrition. With contributions from professionals in the field, you will find everything from nutritional supplementation to how to develop a partnership with your horse in unmounted activities. The featured article above explains the importance of developing the range of motion of the horse's back.
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Have that LOOK AT ME! air about you. It is essential that you go into the class thinking that this is a "performance". Be ready to show off! Believe that you and your horse are truly amazing. Try to attract everyone's attention (including the judge's eye) by having that extra sense of expression. Turn their heads!
Accept constructive (or any) criticism with humility and evaluate later on. The show is not the place to challenge someone's opinion or try to argue your position. Just say "yes", do what needs to be done, and then consider all the other factors later when you get home.
Go in with a positive attitude. Have fun - enjoy the ride, because that's what it is really all about. Use any nervous energy to make you (and your horse) better, sharper and more "with it". Think of it as a party - you are out there to celebrate your horse as well as your own accomplishments with the judge and the other competitors.
Skills
Know your skill requirements/movements inside and out. Although you will always invariably learn something (good or bad) at the show, your goal should not be to learn anything new. The show is the place where you want to demonstrate your already acquired skills. Think of it as a "culminating task" - the test, the project, the demonstration. Study the requirements of the show and practice it all at home before even thinking about pulling the trailer out.
Have the horse technically above the level of the show. If there are components of the show that you or your horse are not fluent in, then stay home and practice. Or head over to a friend's barn and do a "not show" in an environment that will test your horse but where you can feel comfortable and focused without the added stress of the competitive atmosphere of a show.
Get to the point that you don't have to think about the movements. Muscle memory is where it's at! Both you and your horse should be so well practiced in the required movements that there is no thinking in the moment. Just do. If you can be working at that level of performance, you will suddenly discover oodles of extra time for you to consider things other than just skill - things like strategy and fun!
Goals
Set three (or so) goals that you want to achieve. Before you head to the show, consider three realistic goals that you want to definitely achieve. The catch is that these goals should have already been practiced at home. There is no room at the show for you to try something new - what have you mastered already that you can "test" at the show?
Strive each time for a personal best. Again, reality is the key here. Although the point of the show is to compete against other people, your goal should never be to try to beat someone else. Instead, focus on beating yourself. What has been your best achievement to date? What would be just one small step higher? Have you been achieving this at home already? Can you work toward it at a show? It stands to reason that if you progress even just a little each show, there will be a lot of improvement by the end of the season.
Re-evaluate your performance at home. Save the debriefing of the show for later. If you are disappointed in the results, take the information home with you and consult your coach, or support crew. What went right? What went wrong? What did you learn about your horse? What did you learn about yourself? What is your new homework to work toward the next show?
Homework
Be fit - make sure you are both conditioned beyond the required level of performance. Both you and your horse have to be adequately conditioned to be able to physically and mentally handle the pressures of the show environment and schedule. As you build up toward the show, consider how much physical exertion will be required and slowly develop your stamina to that level.
Show at a lower level than at home. Always practice the more difficult skills at home. Do not take them to the show until they become the easy skills! Having adequate muscle memory dictates that the show requirements are easy for you and your horse - not vica versa!
Don't train at the show. Have you seen people trying to teach their horse something new under the stressful environment of a show? They insist that the horse has to "get it", right then and there. Avoid being one of those people. Neither you nor your horse will be able to learn a new skill in one warm-up session; you will only be setting both of you up for failure. If you find yourself training, you know you should not have gone to the show.
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Well, to be honest, finding your "X Factor" at the show is not an easy feat. So many things must fall together all at the same time. But you are not entirely powerless! Just focus on the above tips, and see if they help you achieve that little bit extra to catapult you to higher heights!
There must be other tips that help you get through your show day. Share some below in the comment section!
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the new Horse Listening Practice Sessions.
This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.
Don’t miss a single issue of Horse Listening! If you like what you are reading, become a subscriber and receive updates when new Horse Listening articles are published! Your email address will not be used on any other distribution list.Subscribe to Horse Listening by Email
New! Horse Listening – Book 2: Forward and Round to Training Success
Top 6 Ways to Ramp It Up For Show Season: Preparing for the show season may not be as easy as it looks. There are many aspects that go into getting to the show ring, and even more that need to be done before you even set your first trailer tires onto the road.
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