The end of the year is a good time to take stock of the old, and analyze where we've been so we can know where to go in the near future.

Taking a look back, I'm glad to notice that Horse Listening has grown this year into a more "all-rounder" type of blog since last January. 

- New Archives pages reflect the topics of the articles, making it easier for readers to find specific articles.

- A new Listening Corner page collates the Listening Corner articles that are posted.

- Better quality, higher resolution pictures were made available by Natalie, a rider herself and a fantastic photographer with a great eye for capturing horses at their best. This is enabling me to use personally owned pictures (even if the subjects are not "pros"!), keeping the blog well within copyright regulations.

- A new email subscription service sends readers letters "With love, from your horse"! Be sure to join if you haven't done so already!

- Most recently, the new Horse Listening merchandise store features awesome Horse Listening items that you can use or wear at home! 

With over 5,000 hits per month, and new readers subscribing daily to the blog, to our Facebook page, and to our Twitter channel, Horse Listening is trotting into the new year with something for everyone in the New Year! 

Finally, here is a pictorial year end article roundup, based on most views since Jan. 1, 2012. Click on the picture to go to the article.

#10 . How Do You Develop 'Feel' in Horseback riding?

Developing ‘feel’ in horseback riding doesn’t have to be an impossible dream! If you can ride with feel, you will be able to respond immediately to your horse’s needs.                    

Finding feel
Finding feel

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.#9. Horseback Riders Do Nothing Anyway!

Well, at least, that’s what “they” say. But we know differently, don’t we?

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.#8. 6 Ways to Unleash the Power of Your Riding Seat

As you become more subtle in the aiding process, you will begin to discover just how powerful the seat can be in guiding the horse without disturbing and interfering in his movement.

Everything Starts With the Seat
Everything Starts With the Seat

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.#7. Top 10 Ways to Reward Your Horse

This is our most popular post by far. What do great riders have in common that makes them appealing to watch, steadily develop their riding skills and become role models for others to aspire to emulate? A happy horse is a willing partner, and many horses will give everything they have if they feel your acknowledgement and generosity of spirit.

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.#6. Top 10 Annoying Riding Habits

Enjoy this tongue-in-cheek list coming from the opposite perspective – things NOT to do while riding!

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.#5. Do You Make This Timing Mistake When Riding Your Horse?

 Have you ever given your horse an aid and got nothing in return? There could be one other variable that you might not have considered…

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.#4. How the "Not Canter" Can Drastically Improve Your Transitions

Every time you ask (with the correct aids), the horse resists. The situation becomes ugly – you have a hard enough time just sitting the bounciness, never mind getting the transition. What to do? This article remains one of our most popular posts of all-time.

A calm, relaxed canter in snow!

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.#3. Demystifying "Contact" in Horseback Riding

Does “contact” have other-wordly connotations? Here is why effective contact is within reach of the average rider.

Handshake by Aidan Jones
Handshake by Aidan Jones

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.#2. The #1 Rider Problem of the Year (2011): The Outside Rein!

The outside rein is the most underused and poorly understood of all the aids, and here’s why.

Pulling on reins

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.#1. Ten Habits of Competent Riders

 This is our most popular post by far. What do great riders have in common that makes them appealing to watch, steadily develop their riding skills and become role models for others to aspire to emulate?

Ten Habits of Competent Horses