Horse Listening

How To Change Directions In The Riding Ring

Well, I know that you can change directions just by turning around and going the other way! That's not exactly what I'm talking about! 😉

There are four basic ways you can change directions in the dressage ring. The figures are designed to help you and your horse change rein without losing balance or forward energy. There are several goals for these figures:

smooth change of direction (no cutting corners or diving)
allow time for the horse to go straight a few strides between bends
allow time for the inside hind leg to come deeper under the body to help in maintaining balance through the change
allow (encouragement) for energy to be maintained

Across the Diagonal

The key to the change of rein across the diagonal is to ride a good corner. Instead of cutting through the corner on an angle, go straight so that you have the 3 or 4 strides to prepare for the turn. You can do a shoulder-fore as you turn so that you are already bent slightly in the direction of the turn that's coming up.

Then ride out to the corner letter, aim straight into the diagonal line, and head off in a powerful trot through to center line. You will have plenty of time to establish flexion for the new bend, long before you get to the rail at the far end. Then go into the corner again, shoulder-fore position to set up for the new bend.

Through Center Line (E to B or B to E)

E to B line — © 2018 Full Circle Equestrian – All Rights Reserved

You can also change reins across center line. This line is shorter than the diagonal lines and requires a tighter turn going into and out of the line. However, the set up is exactly the same.

According to this diagram, you'll be on the right rein coming toward E. Three or so strides before E, establish flexion and set up the shoulder-fore position. This will help your horse engage the inside hind leg, create a small bend, and position into the turn, before turning.

Then turn before you get to E. If you wait for E, your turn will end up drifting too far off the line, and you won't pass over X.

Straighten as you go over X, then prepare for the turn at B, exactly as you did for E.

This change of direction is more difficult simply because of the smaller space available, but it does help you and your horse learn to bend, balance and bend again.

I use this type of change of direction on the S-change pattern.

The Tear Drop

I personally love the tear drop and use it many times in a riding session. The straight line up the rail allows your horse to develop strength and momentum, and the half-circle after S helps to contain the energy. You can do a 10 or 15-meter half circle at the top of the tear drop, depending on your level of training. Leave the rail after S and keep the circle even. You might notice that the horse has a tendency to drift on the turn, either going too far towards C or to the opposite rail.

That is the fun of the tear drop! You will learn how to use your outside rein to contain the size of the circle, as there are no walls to help you!

After the half-circle, you head back to the corner letter (V in this example) on a straight diagonal line. Then you have the corner again, this time in the opposite direction.

Lots there to keep you and your horse attentive!

You can then go on to doing a new tear drop on the opposite rail in the new direction.

Center Line

Well this one is a given, but it's not necessarily easy to do without enough practice. The line is long! It takes even strength in the hind legs and even aids from the rider to move straight for that many strides.

The tricky part of making your center line land ON the center line is that you have to start the turn long before you get to the letter (A or C). Just like the E to B line, if you wait for the letter, you'll overshoot the line by several strides.

If you are using a regulation size ring, you might be surprised at how quickly you have to turn. It's only 10 meters from the corner to the middle letter, so you basically have to start turning as you complete the corner, and keep turning until you are on the straight line. Many riders drift on these turns and it might take some time for you to get a good feel of the size and shape of those turns.

***

Well, there you have it!

You can use these changes of directions at any gait. If you are in canter, you can do a simple change through trot or walk. Or if you're advanced, you can do a flying change at the middle point of the line. The key is to stay on the line while you change leads.

The next time you want to change directions, think of one of these figures and plan ahead to make them smooth, balanced, strong in gait, and accurate. Work those bends so that you develop your horse's lateral suppleness.

And most importantly - have fun!

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

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

Stop wandering round and round aimlessly!

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

But there's more!

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

Use these 20-minute exercises!

Available as an eBook or paperback. Click here for more info.

Maybe You Want To Be The Horseless Horse Person

I mean, this is for the person who rides horses but doesn't own one.

What do you do when you don't own a horse? Does that mean that you can't ride or be around horses?

Not at all.

In fact, being horseless can often be a blessing in disguise. What if you give it a good go and decide the whole horse riding thing isn't for you?

It takes years of education, mentoring and even apprenticing to know enough to be responsible for a unique "pet" (some call it "livestock") such as the horse. What could be better than learning all these things on borrowed horses, investing money into your own learning, and spending time exploring different disciplines to know what you really want to do for the long term?

Some people never buy a horse but ride for years on end. It can be done.

Opportunities abound if you take a good look into what you can do when you don't actually own a horse.

Volunteer

The first and surest way to get into the scene is to volunteer your services. If you really have no experience with horses, this is a great way to start. People will happily train you in exchange for your work. You might even get some riding opportunities as you get exposure and become familiar with instructors and barn managers.

You might be exposed to the ins and outs of everything horses. Aside from the physical development that you will gain, what can you learn in a volunteer position?

horse handling - leading a horse, teaching ground manners
horse care - grooming, feeding, leg wrapping, blanketing
equipment - saddle and bridle, clean tack
horse training - lunging, ground training (such as leading), in-hand work
facility management - learn how to run a barn
client/customer relations
I'm sure there's lots more!

You can find volunteering opportunities at riding schools, trail riding barns, horse rescue operations, therapeutic and equine-assisted riding schools, summer camps, and even veterinary facilities. Give these places a call and see what fits with your schedule and goals.

Riding Lessons

Well, I've written about riding lessons so often on this blog. But really, that is the best place to start riding. There is nothing better than having a trained instructor lead you on your horse journey. But there's a lot more to horses than just riding. So when it comes time for you to think about committing more time or (physical and financial) resources into the horse "thing," your riding instructor can be an excellent resource to guide you to your next steps.

By then, she will know you and what your goals are, and she can help you decide on future horses, higher level goals, riding disciplines, and general horse management.

The advantage to riding in a school is that you will be exposed to many different horses and possibly riding styles. You will ride alongside fellow students who are at various levels - maybe newer to horses than you are, or maybe more advanced. You an learn something from watching all of them over time.

This is a distinct perk compared to horse ownership, because once you have your own horse, you will be busy affording, riding and developing that horse only. At a riding school, you might be able to ride the same horse for a length of time, then move on to a new horse later so you can continue to learn and build your skill set.

There is an old expression that a rider should ride at least 100 horses in order to be able to call themselves a horse(wo)man. You might not be able to access a hundred horses, but without a doubt, the more you ride, the more you will learn. Horses are just like people in that they bring different personalities, quirks, skills and talents to the table. Not one is the same as the rest.

Part-Boarding

You might want to ride more often than once or twice a week in a riding school environment, and that is when part-boarding becomes an excellent option. When you think you're ready to ride on your own, work with a single horse regularly, and possibly take either group or private lessons with that horse, you might want to investigate a part-boarding opportunity.

Many horse owners want to share their horse with one other rider - some for the financial help, others because they simply don't have enough time to ride their horse often enough. As a part-boarder, you will be responsible for part of the financial upkeep, but you will have access to the horse more often. You will be able to work with that horse and develop a relationship over time. You might move away from the riding school environment and into more of a boarding facility where most of the people are horse owners.

The advantage of part-boarding goes without saying: if you want to switch horses, move away from the area, change riding disciplines, etc., you can end your commitment (usually with a one month notice) without worry of what will happen to the horse. Many people spend years being part-boarders.

Full Lease

When you lease a horse, you are ready to take on more of a horse ownership role than the above options. However, there is usually an end to that lease when the horse should be returned to the owner. Often, horses are leased out year to year, with the possibility of a renewal term towards the end of the lease period.

When you take on a full lease, you are responsible for all of the horse's expenses. You might also be required to pay a certain amount to lease the horse as well. The more trained, talented or advanced the horse is, the more you can expect to pay for the lease.

But then, you can treat the horse as if it were your own - for the lease period. Many horse owners will visit the horse, or require that the horse is boarded at a particular barn or location, but otherwise, you are the contact person for the horse and with that comes the financial responsibility of vetting, shoeing and board fees. Of course, riding privileges are yours and yours only.

Under certain circumstances, there are huge advantages to taking on a full lease versus permanently buying a horse. If your child wants to ride, she may currently be young enough to ride a pony. But a few years in, she'll be taller and want to move onto higher levels - which might require a specific horse type for the discipline she wants to be in at that time - but you won't know until that happens!

For adults, leasing will allow them to learn in-depth from one horse, then have the option to move on to a new horse - which will offer a whole new set of learning experiences.

Leasing horses will allow you to change horses in the future, without worrying about the horse's security or going through a sale process. This is a luxury you wouldn't have if you owned the horse.

***
They say horse riding is only for the very rich. Well, now you can see how many, many participants in the horse industry can do so frugally, still meet their goals, and share in the incredible experience that is horses and riding.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

https://www.horselistening.com2012/01/03/the-top-8-perks-of-horse-keeping/

https://www.horselistening.com2017/07/04/23-ways-your-horse-is-your-life-coach/

https://www.horselistening.com2017/01/04/12-riding-quick-tips-five-ways-to-set-your-horse-riding-goals-in-20112-7/

https://www.horselistening.com2016/11/02/dear-adult-with-many-responsibilities-horse-person/

https://www.horselistening.com2015/02/22/the-one-answer-to-most-horse-riding-problems/

Top Three Ways To Gain Your Horse’s Trust While Riding

You may have seen many articles about how important it is to gain your horse's trust. It's even more important while you're riding. Let's face it - once you're on your horse's back, his four legs are your legs, and if you're lucky, you get to go where his body goes (!!). So the trust factor becomes really important - most especially when your horse sees a terrifying spot in the arena and wants to get out of Dodge.

But it's not only about you trusting your horse.

It's about getting your horse to trust YOU!

The funny thing about trust and horse riding is that trust is displayed through the horse's behavior. So if the horse spooks and runs off, we think the horse lacks trust in the rider.

However, if the horse carries on like nothing happened, then we feel that there is a trust dynamic in the horse-rider relationship. (*This applies to ground work as well as riding.)

So it might help you to take the focus off the emotional aspect of trust and instead, break it down into observable, reproducible physical responses that will be interpreted as trust when it all comes together.

3. Work past the scary area.

One of the best ways to develop trust is to project your confidence to the horse. You have to develop the communication and riding skills necessary to convince your horse that he is safe with you no matter where he goes.

Let's say the horse is spooking at an object and reacts with heart-thumping, sweat producing fear. To him, it's real danger. It could be something as simple as a bird suddenly flying by, or the sound of people walking and talking outside the arena. He's ready to scoot.

In this moment, you can either be forceful and aggressive, or you can choose to be the calm, confident one.

Even if he steps away from the perceived danger, or spooks suddenly underneath you, you can firmly but calmly and quickly re-establish what you were doing. Re-establish balance. Re-establish tempo. Stay tall and supple and balanced in your torso. Don't tense while your horse tenses. Don't look at the object your horse is terrified of (he knows when you're looking).

Just carry on as if there's nothing there, as if there's nothing to be concerned about. Because in reality, there is nothing to worry about because you would never put your horse in a life or death situation.

Ride away from the area, and then ride back to the area, knowing full well your horse might think about spooking again. Don't push him into the area, just ride past it as close as you can, but far enough away to help him stay calm. Show him there's nothing to fear.

As your horse relaxes the third and fourth time through, go deeper into the area until you're riding right through it calmly, without any fuss. Slowly but surely, your horse will realize that if you're not tense and tight, he won't have to be either.

One day, your horse will think about spooking, feel your confident guidance... and just carry on.

Trust.

2. Stay in balance.

Balance is such a huge topic. There's left and right balance (lateral) and forward and back balance (longitudinal).

The horse can be off balance laterally when he is leaning too far in one direction. Or he might have his neck turned deeply into the direction he's going. Or if he has a twist in his poll or neck (you'll notice that his ears aren't level).

He might be drifting out or falling in on a circle. Both are indications of lack of balance.

We've talked about longitudinal balance often here in the blog. The most obvious is when the horse is travelling on the forehand.

Think about it like a teeter-totter. The horse's body is the teeter-totter and the balance should be at least level, or ideally, tilted toward the hind end. Problems arise when the horse is tilted downward on the shoulders and forelegs.

He might have to brace, scramble, move too quickly, or hollow. Lack of balance becomes a problem when the horse learns that he will be moving in discomfort or pain every time you ride him.

Unfortunately, you'll likely need an instructor to help you identify and then correct balance problems. I've written much here about the pieces - half-halt, on-the-forehand, circles and more - but the challenge is to put all these together while you ride.

What I can tell you, though, is that once you improve your ability to balance yourself and your horse, you will notice a profound difference in your horse's way of going. He might be more bold, more active, softer and lighter on his feet, more confident in his movement. Let's face it - if he feels comfortable, he will be happy in himself, you and the world around him.

Trust.

1. Be consistent.

I can't emphasize this aspect enough for all things related to horses.

Consistency is the key to developing a bond with your horse. Be consistent in your general riding activities, your riding schedule and your expectations of both yourself and your horse.

Be consistent in your aids. If you send conflicting signals time and again, and your horse has to play a mental and emotional guessing game each time he interacts with you, he will soon become sour and reluctant.

The problem is that real consistency takes a lot of dedication, self-evaluation and discipline. It's so easy to let things slide and do what you feel like doing whenever. But horses remember.

Try to find a consistent rider and see what their horses are like. Are they also consistent? Are they calm? Do they know what to expect?

Trust. It's worth the effort.

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If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

4 Steps To Help Your Horse Through A Turn: I’m sure you’ve seen it before – there are many situations where a horse turns too abruptly, unbalancing himself and also the rider. Most often, the rider hangs on but other times, she might be unseated, losing balance, stirrups and/or seat.

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

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

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

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

5 Ways To Be A Confident Horse Rider

We all know that we should be riding horses with confidence.

We know that horses can literally sense our state of mind - not through some heebie-jeebie magical mythical powers, but quite simply because they feel us through the saddle. They feel our aids, our balance... and our hesitance.

But we can do something about that.

It's possible that some riders have more intrinsic confidence than others. But confidence is the by-product of the skills we learn. Here are five ways you can learn to improve your confidence while in the saddle.

1. Let the horse move.

It takes a certain amount of courage to let the horse really move underneath you. Many of us tend to hold back the horse and ourselves using the reins - to slow down, contain, "collect" (probably not really but that's what we're thinking we're doing), and even hang on. Sometimes, we also hold back physically, getting behind in the horse's movement.

I don't mean that the horse should run off and we should do nothing. We should always strive for connection, balance and straightness. We should always be watching to maintain correct rhythm and a good tempo for our horse.

But it's more about letting the horse find his balance, energize enough to be able to use his hind end, and flow in the gait. If you can allow the movement, you might be surprised at first about how much ground a horse can cover in relatively few strides. It might feel powerful and strong.

Your body has to get used to the movement. Sometimes, you might have to consciously work to stay with the horse, especially in the upper body.

2. Never mind the bobbles.

A confident rider lets the bobbles roll off her back. In other words, if the horse takes a misstep, or goes for a little romp, the confident rider has enough skill to roll with the flow, as it were, and still be there at the end to ride on. She goes through all that with little stress and maybe a giggle. The horse feels her confidence and settles.

Now I'm not saying that the confident rider aspires to be a bronc rider. But the bobbles will invariably happen, and the cooler you can be, the quicker you can get back to your rhythm and tempo, the better you and your horse will be in the long run.

Which begs the question: how can you learn to ride the bounce?

Well, you do have to earn the skill to stay on when a horse takes a step sideways or upwards. It helps if you have a great horse (and instructor) to let you develop your seat early in your riding career. Lunging lessons are hard to find but indispensable and the quickest path to a great seat. Otherwise, there is no answer other than ride, ride and ride (many horses if possible). It's about practice, time and experience.

3. Ride with patience and influence.

I've written about patience and how it relates to riding in The #1 Rider Problem of 2016: Patience. Essentially, I feel that riding with patience is a key component of confidence. Riders who can be patient about skill acquisition, practice and self-development invariably become composed, confident riders.

What does patience look like?

the rider who looks to herself to improve the horse's movement.
the willingness to wait a little longer for the horse's response.
knowing that finishing on a good note is more than enough from a day's ride - even if the desired movement was not perfectly achieved.

When a rider has influence over the horse, she can be effective. Influence is evident by the rider's ability to get the horse's calm, relaxed response. She makes immediate corrections (or anticipates problems so that they don't appear in the first place). She uses small aids that "go through." She maintains her balance while she improves her horse's balance. She sets her horse up for success.

4. Stay open in your torso.

You can probably spot a defensive or fearful rider by their posture. And so it is the same with the confident rider.

If you can maintain tone and strength in your upper body, you can stay "open" in your torso. This means that your upper body is tall and stays tall through movement. Your shoulder blades are dropped down and together enough that your shoulders are even and square. Your hips are open enough to allow your core to move freely with the horse's back. Your chin is parallel to the ground and your eyes are looking between your horse's ears.

The opposite is the ever-common fetal position (when the rider hunches over and falls toward the horse's neck), rounded shoulders, looking down and carrying tension in the body.

You can fake this till you make it.

5. Breathe.

Finally, a confident rider breathes. In every gait. Through all the figures.

Because lack of breath pretty much ensures tension, tightness, and being forced to have to stop before you're done with the movement.

If you have to collapse at the end of a canter set (or similar), you know that you're probably not breathing. If you find yourself huffing and puffing, see if you can make it a point to breathe in and out in rhythm with your horse's strides.

If you want, you can try counting out loud, or do what I make my students do - sing along in tempo with your horse's movement. The singing takes you out of your left brain and into your right, makes you breathe and acts as a calming influence for you and your horse.

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

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

"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 in paperback or digital versions.

A Horsey Valentine’s Song

Dear Readers,

My human-mom has this unbreakable habit of singing songs (out loud!) while she rides. I think it's because of the incredible acoustics of the indoor arena - she must think she's on stage or something. But it got me thinking about creating a song of my very own, extra special for you on Valentine's Day.

Once you know the words, maybe you might want to sing along with me. It's sung to the tune of If You're Happy And You Know It.

With Love, Cyrus

A Horsey Valentine's Song

I hear your car before you even park,

Out beside the barn down on the slope.

I know you're coming by the pitter-patter of your steps

And the clanging of the snap on the lead rope.

I lift my head and perk my pointy ears

I twist my neck just so and strain to see.

I hear it's Valentine's Day and so I lick my lips and chew,

Anticipating the treats you've brought for me.

You lead me down the lane back to the barn.

You pick my feet and brush my glossy coat.

You fluff my mane and tail, sprinkle me with smelly spray

All the while, I dream of munching on my oats.

What??

The saddle's on and next you wrap my legs.

The bridle's set and we're going for a ride.

I thought I made it clear, you were going to be a dear

And spoil me with all the treats that you supplied.

So we're off and trudging through the knee deep snow,

The air is crisp, the sky a clear bright blue,

As we walk along the path, I consider the aftermath,

Of what will happen if I run back home with you.

The sun is low, it's time we turn around.

The barn is warm, the stall calls out my name.

There's a delicious smell inside, my excitement I cannot hide!

It's a happy Valentine's Day all the same!

How Many Aids Are You Using?!

"Which aids are you using?" I routinely ask my students this as they develop a particular skill, especially once they have gained enough experience that they can analyze a problem while they ride.

But here, we can do it off the horse. Let's use this example:

You are in left lead canter, and getting ready to leave the rail to make a left circle. As you head into the circle, your horse drifts out, loses balance and breaks into trot. (If this does really happen to you, don't worry! It happens all the time to all levels of rider and horse!)

It's like he is losing just enough balance that he is unable to maintain the canter. What aids would you use to correct the problem?

(If you like, stop here and quickly think about or jot down the aids you would use. Then read on. I've added links in blue to other articles that explain some of the specific concepts better.)

***

1) Outside Neck Rein

One of the most common errors is to use the inside rein to pull the horse into a turn. When you pull on the inside rein, though, the horse's neck has to follow your hand. So before you know it, the neck is pulled to the inside, which requires the outside shoulder to bulge outward. The horse then HAS to step out in order to manage to stay upright. While you're trying to turn the horse left, he's got his neck left but is actually stepping right.

Use the outside neck rein to catch the outside shoulder that wants to bulge toward the rail. That helps keep the horse's front end from drifting around the turn. The neck rein is also the initiator of the turn.

2) Outside Leg

Use the outside leg to prevent the horse's hip from swinging out.

Another tendency is for the horse to swing the hind end outward. When you are on a turn, you want the horse to turn "straight" (well, not literally, but physically). If you use your outside leg back slightly, you can influence the hind end so that it follows the front end on a single track.

There's got to be more than just those two aids. So let's fill in the details. It takes some concentration and "feel" to break things down even more.

3) Inside Seat Bone

Put your weight on your inside seat bone, swinging it forward on the turn line so that you encourage your horse to come under your inside seat more - to basically keep him on the turn and not drift out from under your seat.

Using your weight aids is something that needs a lot of fine-tuning at first. But with practice, you will be able to first know which seat bone you have more weight on, and then be able to actually direct the weight to where you want it to be. Your weight can have a lot of influence on the horse.

4) Inside Leg

Use a strong downward-stepping motion on your inside stirrup - like you are standing on the ground through the stirrup, in rhythm with the stride.

The stepping down helps the horse have a solid balancing aid on the inside rib cage, which encourages better bend and balance through the turn.

5) Inside Rein

Give a tiny bit with your inside rein as you cross the middle of the arena, to allow the inside hind leg more space to step into. Keep the outside rein fairly steady.

6) Impulsion

Use two legs for forward just before you leave the rail. This helps him engage a little more before he starts to drift, sending him forward rather than sideways.

7) Keep Your Balance

Try to let your seat come through more after you ask for impulsion (don't resist), so you keep your center of gravity over the horse as he moves off. Don't get left behind!

8) Use Half-Halts

Even while you ask for more energy, use half-halts to help the horse stay in balance and not just run faster and onto the forehand. You can try a half-halt before you leave the rail, through the middle of the circle, and then again as you finish and go to the next movement. But it might depend on your horse - you might need more or less.

Pinpointing your aids like this is actually a very interesting exercise, because while we often recognize the most significant aids, we rarely feel everything that the body is doing to produce one result. I bet you can think of a few more to list here as well.

Seriously?? So many aids for one simple movement?

Well, yes. And, not really.

The thing is, once you get the hang of it, it won't be nearly as complicated as it sounds here. If you think about it, we can probably break down every movement into multiple aids and skills like this. The more aids we can control through our ride, the more sophisticated we can be in communicating kindly and gently to the horse.

From Wikipedia:

Automaticity /ˌɔːtəməˈtɪsɪti/ is the ability to do things without occupying the mind with the low-level details required, allowing it to become an automatic response pattern or habit. It is usually the result of learning, repetition, and practice.

I like this word! And I like how it feels when I'm doing this while riding. The less you have to think about things, the easier it gets. But at the beginning, you do have to learn the skills first (practice, practice, practice!), before they become blueprinted into your body.

***

After a few rounds, and a few transitions down to trot and then back up into canter, things should get better. Your outside aids might keep your horse straighter. Your "ask" for impulsion might help him reach further underneath with his hind legs. He might drift less and then not at all. And slowly, his canter might become more fluid, stronger, more balanced.

And even while you know which aids you are using, you won't actually have to think about them. Well, maybe you'll be thinking about only one or two!

Everything You Need To Know About Horses (OK, More Like 11 Things)

This is a great article for the non-horsey people in your life!

While everyone knows about horses, you'd be surprised at how relatively uninformed most people are. Myths abound and everybody has an opinion. To help clarify any misunderstandings, here are a few essential tidbits you need to know about horses, especially if you are considering taking riding lessons or purchasing a horse for the first time.

1. They are big.

People usually notice the relatively large size of the horse first thing. Rightly so, because even a small horse can weight 800 pounds and it only gets bigger and heavier from there! Even small ponies give us a run for our money when it comes to strength and power.

In comparison, we are small.

Which leads us to the most important understanding when it comes to the intermingling of horses and humans: we can get hurt. It might not even be on purpose. Whenever we are in the wrong place at the wrong time, we will be the ones who incur the most damage.

So one of the first things we need to do is to learn how to be safe working with, around and on horses. We must stay safe AND the horses must stay safe.

2. They eat. ALL. THE. TIME.

This is an interesting concept.

One of the key predictors to overall horse health is to provide them access to forage (meaning hay or grass) as much as possible. Many of us now have high quality hay that actually over delivers-in terms of nutrition and energy. Some horses self-regulate and eat small portions, many times throughout the day.

For horses have a tendency to over-eat (which then can cause unhealthy weight gain), we now have "slow hay feeders" that regulate the amount of hay a horse can eat at a time. In this manner, even "easy keepers" can have access to hay for long periods of time.

Fake ID for Horses?
In some countries, documents are required for riding horses (almost like driving a car). The so-called licenses. In the USA, some students buy a fake id on the Internet at sites like (https://fidvendors.is/idhurry-com/). This is an illegal purchase but cryptocurrencies cannot be tracked

3. They have their own personalities.

This is where horses and humans are similar.

Every horse has a unique personality. Some are overachievers. Some are lazy and would rather not. Some are playful and cheeky. It takes a while to identify these traits, but if you listen carefully enough, you will get to know each and every one.

4. They can learn things as easily as you can.

Just because horses are generally quiet, and would prefer to be out grazing doesn't mean that they don't learn. They are so quick to pick up on everything!

Their amazing ability to learn allows us to ride them, develop intricate communication, teach them tricks, and perform marvelous shows that leave you in awe.

5. They recognize people.

Some horses are extremely clear about who qualifies as their "peeps."

I have known several horses over the years that act completely standoffish until they know who you are. It's like they're warning all their friends of "stranger danger!"

If you don't believe me, check out what happens when their favorite treat lady just walks into the barn. They sure know who they can hit up for treats! Or who feeds them. And who turns them out or in. Or who does their feet. Or the veterinarian they should avoid!

6. They have a very long memory.

They remember the good experiences. They remember their horsey friends of long ago, even if it has been years since they last saw each other. They also remember the bad experiences. It is true that they remember rough handling and any serious riding mistakes.

But here's the good news: horses don't hold grudges. Literally, the second you can improve or change, or their environment changes, they move on and adapt. They will remember it all, but you can be sure that they are ready and waiting for better days ahead.

7. They are very athletic.

ALL horses are athletic. Not all of them choose to show it, though!

Of course, some are more suited to certain disciplines than others, and some need more practice and conditioning as others. However, they can all move quickly when needed (like when there's something to be afraid of)!

8. They are herd animals.

Horses are naturally social. They live in a herd situation and they are the embodiment of the concept of "safety in numbers." How this relates to us as humans is that when we choose to interact with horses, we should understand that they see us as herd mates too. So we'd better brush up on our communication skills - equine style!

9. They have a strong social structure.

Which brings us to herd dynamics.

Every herd has a social hierarchy. There is the leader (or what has been termed as the "alpha" horse). Then there's the second-in-command (the beta) and the third, fourth and so on, right to the last horse on the social ladder. Each horse gives way to the horses above him in the herd. So if he's eating at the round bale and a higher-level herd mate wants to eat right from the spot he's in, he has to give way. He must walk away and give up his feeding spot.

This is a super important concept for us humans to understand because every time we're with our horse, we are effectively interacting as a two-horse herd. Except that we're people, and we're relatively little. If the horse feels that he is the herd leader between the two of us, we'd better be ready to give way to his every whim and desire.

You can see how that could cause problems over time. It becomes our responsibility to learn to communicate our herd position (alpha) clearly in a way that keeps us safe. The alternative is that they may literally walk over you (if they aren't taught to recognize your space).

10. They don't see the same way we do.

If you look carefully into the eye of a horse, you'll see that the pupil is a horizontal slit. It can open wide in darker light and takes on a larger oval shape. There have been many studies done about how horses see, and how they interpret what they see.

What is remarkable about the horse's sight is that he can see from his nose to his tail on the one side. And he can instantly switch eyes and see that much on the other side. He can also see directly in front of him with binocular vision. However, he has a blind spot in front of his nose and behind his tail. Our sight is exactly the opposite. We can see straight ahead with binocular vision (so we have no blind spot) but our peripheral vision isn't nearly as sharp.

You can imagine that having better peripheral vision is very helpful to a prey animal. Horses can see all around them at will - which means they can instantly run away if feeling threatened in any way.

If we have a good understanding of spooking, we can be safer when on horseback or even on the ground.

11. They are experts at reading body language (apparently even human facial expressions).

So aside from picking up on all your behavioral clues, the horse can tell your mood right from the moment you are visible to him. One of the most valuable skills we learn as equestrians is to keep a steady demeanor, especially in scary situations. The quieter and calmer we can be, whether on the ground or in saddle, the more confident the horse will be in general.

I'm sure there could be a thousand things we could add to this list. If you have something to add, please share it in the comments below.

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

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.

Click here for more information.

Not Seeing Our Facebook Posts?

Dear Reader,

Over the years, it has been my mission to use our Horse Listening Facebook page as a method of delivering articles on a daily basis.

I usually like to post two articles a day so that you can have some consistent "food for thought" when you check into Facebook.

As of this January 2018, Facebook changed its algorithm to prioritize posts from real people - your Facebook friends. So if you happen to notice that you're seeing less and less of the Horse Listening posts, that is because of this algorithm change.

This will be true of all the pages you have liked. They will be purposely limited in exposure going forward. However, there is a way that you can change that if you want to.

If you'd like to continue seeing my posts as they are published on Facebook, here's what you need to do:

Go to the Horse Listening Facebook Page
Find and hover over the "Following" button.
Click "see first."

That's it. Then the page posts will keep showing. You can do this for all the pages you really want to hear from.

Thanks for reading!

Horses. Riding. Life.

Articles

How To Change Directions In The Riding Ring

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Maybe You Want To Be The Horseless Horse Person

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Top Three Ways To Gain Your Horse’s Trust While Riding

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

5 Ways To Be A Confident Horse Rider

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

A Horsey Valentine’s Song

A Horsey Valentine's Song

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

How Many Aids Are You Using?!

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Everything You Need To Know About Horses (OK, More Like 11 Things)

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Click here for more information.

Not Seeing Our Facebook Posts?