Is It Me or the Is It the Horse?

I would bet we have all wondered about this question through our riding careers.

When you are faced with a riding dilemma, do you ever get into a finger-pointing game? Do you get down on yourself and blame all your riding problems on yourself? Or do you just get mad at the horse and think that all would be well if you only could find another horse to ride?

Chances are that all of us have done both at some time or another.

Early in our riding education, we may not be too worried about how the horse is going. We are usually so focused on staying on and using the correct aids, that we are generally more than satisfied to get the walk/trot/canter and stay on!

But as the saying goes, "the more you know, the more you know what you don't know." As we become more proficient, we begin to notice nuances that we didn't before.

The little things seem a lot more important - a hollow back, a bad stride that could have been avoided, a lack of bend or even a heavy contact. We start to troubleshoot and try different solutions that we think may help.

Invariably, we run into a plateau during which things seem to never change - no matter what we try, we just can't seem to get the results we want. And that is when we start to wonder - is the problem ours? Or is it the horse's? Here are some thoughts.

Obviously, it's the rider.

Without a doubt, we can ride only as well as our best skills. No matter how long we've been riding, there is always more to learn and fine-tune. So if we have any problems, our limitations quickly become the horse's as well.

It also works the other way. The more effective you are, the better any horse will go for you.

For instance, if you have a stickable seat, you won't have a worry if the horse goes for a romp or buck. You'll just ride it out and pick up when the horse settles down. Or let's say you have a terrifically effective seat. Every horse you ride, even if not necessarily "trained" to the seat, will respond well to your ride simply because of the timing, coordination and balance that you offer to the horse.

Here's another scenario - has this ever happened to you? You ride in a lesson and the problem that has been plaguing you for weeks is instantly eliminated because you listen to your knowledgeable instructor and make what seems to be one small positional change. Suddenly the horse snorts and begins to float.

During those moments, it definitely seems as if all problems begin with the rider.

Having said that, the unique quality of riding is that there are two players in one game. How does the horse fit into this picture?

Obviously, it's the horse.

How many of us have wistfully wished that our horse could be as calm/successful/kind/athletic/whatever as our friend's horse seems to be? (C'mon, admit it!)

We know that some of the idiosyncrasies surely belong to the horse. We've heard of stallion or mare lines that have certain characteristics (good or bad) that seem to be passed down regularly.

Without a doubt, the horse can be the one that initiates a problematic situation. As I explained in my book, Horse Listening: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding, we often find ourselves becoming reactive riders when horses move so quickly that we don't see something happening until it is too late. The horse does something, and THEN we try to undo it.

Let's take the bucking horse example again. Not every horse bucks. It is quite possible that you could find a horse that simply is not inclined to buck. Instead, he might brace and hollow the back, but otherwise truck along without any hint of a misstep. So one horse's behavior is not necessarily the same as another's.

If you are lucky enough to have a Golden Horse, chances are you won't have to go through the same learning curve as the rider with the horse that tends to buck.

It Takes Two to Tango

It looks like we're back at the beginning. Is it the rider or the horse?

The long and the short of it is that there are two beings involved in the one activity. Each affects the other and there is no way out of that equation. Sometimes, it's not even what you did, but what you didn't do in a particular situation.

The level of training helps. If the rider is well trained, then she can quickly bring the horse along since she knows what to expect and what to do to prevent problems. If the horse is well trained, then he can support and guide the rider as she tries new skills and makes mistakes.

(Incidentally, this is exactly why they say that a green rider-green horse combination is the least desirable.)

Keep in mind that as the human being in this partnership, we are necessarily the ones to take responsibility for our actions and our skill level. If we get stuck, we are the ones to do the problem solving. Maybe we have to find someone else who can help us learn or find another appropriate solution.

In this horse-rider dichotomy, avoid finding blame and instead, work toward finding solutions.

What do you think? Is it the rider or is it the horse?

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

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Read more here:

7 Reasons Why "It Depends" Is the Right Answer in Horseback Riding: When it comes to horses, the only “truth” is that there are many truths.

The Need For "Yes" Speed - While You Ride Your Horse: How to let your horse know he's on the right track.

Two Upper-Body Secrets to Riding Success: How to maintain balance with a better upper body position.

The Five Components of the Ultimate Warm Up in Horse Riding: Why an active warm-up is essential for the horse.

Stepping “Forward” in Horse Riding: The term ‘forward’ is used liberally in horse riding but is often misunderstood.

Why You Must Shoulder-Fore On the Rail and How To Do It

The shoulder-fore is the like the little sibling that always plays second fiddle to the shoulder-in. But don't discount its power.

When left to themselves, most horses will travel crookedly up a line. In fact, they may also be crooked on circles.

On a straight line, they tend to lean outward toward the rail with their front end. So, if you watch a horse go up a rail from behind, you will clearly see the front end traveling on a line closer to the rail, while the hind end drifts somewhat off the rail. There might be a tendency for the horse's head and neck to point outward, away from the direction of travel. So if the horse is going right, the head and neck point left.

Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. Most horses start life with a stronger side and a weaker side, and if left unchecked, that crookedness can maintain itself or even become more pronounced through riding. So it falls to the rider to become educated and sensitive enough to feel the crookedness - and then correct it over time. As with all other skills, if the horse is ridden in a manner that encourages suppleness and flexion, the horse will overcome the crookedness.

The rider, too, has a significant role in the process. For if the rider just follows the horse's movements, she will also be riding in a way that points her core to the wall, travelling with a crooked seat and imbalanced posture.

What is the shoulder-fore?

Although we often hear about the shoulder-in, we tend to overlook the shoulder-fore as a less worthy exercise. This is far from the truth. The shoulder-fore is easier to learn for both horse and rider and sets them on their way to becoming straighter and more supple.

The shoulder-fore is a movement that positions the horse's shoulders slightly to the inside of the hips. The way you know the horse is "in" shoulder-fore is by looking at the horse's footfalls. Simply put, the horse that has hind footsteps falling into front footsteps is straight. The horse that has the front footsteps landing slightly to the inside of the horse's hind footsteps is travelling in shoulder-fore.

The shoulder-fore requires the horse to "articulate" more with the joints in the hind end, encourages a deeper stride length, and helps the horse balance better, allowing the energy to come over the topline and release the muscles over the back. It is a movement that should be in your riding vocabulary from the beginning to the end of the ride.

How to shoulder-fore:

1. Negotiate a turn or corner in the same manner as usual. Position your body on the bend to the inside, with your seat weighted slightly to the inside, inside leg at the girth, outside leg behind the girth and rein aids following your shoulders toward the turn.

2. Then come out of the turn.

3. But keep the horse on the same mild bend, going straight on the rail.

4. Feel for the horse's shoulders. They should feel slightly off-set to the inside.

At this point, the novice horse tends to want to fall into the middle of the ring, coming off the rail. It is the job of your inside leg, seat bone and rein to keep the horse on the line. Your outside rein can also help to keep the straightness by half-halting to counter the horse's momentum toward the inside. It can also keep the neck fairly straight.

Get a friend to monitor your horse's foot falls and let you know about the angle of the horse's body. She should tell you when you have it right so that you can memorize what it feels like to have straightness in your horse's movements.

Shoulder-fore everywhere!

When you get good at it on the rail, try it off the rail. If you go straight up the ring on the quarter line, you will have enough room to your outside so that you have to really use your outside aids to help maintain the shoulder fore, but not so far that you can't use the rail as a reference point to see and feel the position of the shoulders.

Then try it on center line. It gets harder to feel the angle when there is no wall to gauge your position with. But eventually, you should be able to actually feel the angle of the horse's body regardless of whether or not you have a wall to refer to.

For more shoulder-fore fun, start up the center line with a right shoulder-fore, then as you cross X, switch to a left shoulder-fore.

Finally, give it a try on a circle. At this point, you should be able to identify the shoulder position on a bend. So when you feel that your horse is pointing his shoulders to the outside of the circle, be a responsible rider and bring those shoulders into the shoulder'fore position, even while you are travelling on a bend around the circle.

Results

See what your horse thinks about it. If you get a snort, be happy! If you get a softening of the neck and jaw to the inside, be thrilled. And if you get bouncy-bouncy, rolling gaits (do this in walk, trot and canter) and the feeling that you are spending more time in the air than on the ground, then celebrate!

For helping the horse to release tension, swing through the back, stay straight and energize is the goal of all riding!

*P.S. All the above is also equally relevant to the shoulder-in. But that can be a topic for another time.

Try the shoulder-in during your next ride and let us know how it works for you and your horse.

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

Personally signed books available! Just send me a message.

Would you like to be the rider that all horses dream of?

By following simple, useful exercises, you will be able to develop a better understanding about many topics including:

- the rider’s aids

- the use of the seat

- the half-halt

- accurate turns and circles

- transitions

- horse ownership and horse care

- goal setting for the rider

- rein lameness

… and much more!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

First, Plan Your Ride. Then, Be Ready To Scrap It.

Has this ever happened to you?

You know exactly what you want to do during your ride. Your horse is prepped, you have all the gear you need, and you head to the riding ring with high hopes and a set plan.

You get on, get going, and then discover that your horse has something entirely different in mind!

At this point, you have two choices: keep going with what you were planning to do, or scrap it and work on what your horse needs to work on.

Goal Setting: Step-by-Step Development

There is no replacement for goal setting in the quest for improvement in riding. When you have an idea of the path you want to take, and the skills you want to develop, it is always good to plan out what you want to do before you get on the horse's back. Each ride should be a development from the last, setting up a series of successes for (yourself and) your horse as he progresses in his training and education.

What are you going to work on today? What went well last ride, what would you like to develop, and what movements will your horse enjoy? How will you warm up? What is the "lesson" for today? How will you cool down? Make your time count, make it a quality ride and then get off.

You need to know what you want to do during a ride. There is nothing worse than wandering around and around in circles, aimlessly pounding legs into sand for little purpose other than perhaps a little conditioning for the horse.

Be clear on the basic skills your horse needs, develop them into the intermediate levels and then finally (over the course of a number of years), move up to the highest levels of training in your discipline.

When to Scrap the Plan

However, goal setting can only take you so far. Even though you are inspired to get that horse to do the next cool thing, your horse might simply not be ready.

Alternately, he might be able to do some parts of the new movement, but loses the basic, most fundamental aspects to riding - enough that the movement becomes labored, difficult and unappealing. Maybe the horse puts up a fuss and even quits.

This is when you should scrap your grand ideas, and get back down to the business of the basics.

Many of the basic movements, like maintaining rhythm, looseness, or the simple act of moving forward, are integral to all levels of riding and therefore should be worked on regularly even if you are also working on something else at the same time.

It is much more important to develop solid basics - and only after your horse is fluidly performing those, move on to more difficult exercises. Have the patience and awareness to reestablish the important aspects of movement.

Because the basics are where it's at. Without the fundamental skill set, there will never be soft, fluid, responsive, enthusiastic work from your horse.

Have you ever scrapped your plan and listened to your horse? Tell us about your ride in the comments below.

Listening Corner: Contact and “On the Bit”

Theme: Contact / "On the Bit"

contact 1 — Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

The difference between effective and ineffective contact in horseback riding is immense. You know what "bad" contact looks like:

- horse with mouth open wide

- frantic rider on runaway horse

- disengaged hind end and hollow-backed movement

- above the bit/below the bit/rooting the bit

- rider jerking on the bit

I'm sure we can all conjure up pictures of what we don't want to see or feel in riding.

However, if you're like me, you probably also are well aware of the conundrum of developing a compassionate yet useful contact - one that keeps you first of all, safe on the horse, and second, able to give the horse such good "feels" that every horse you ride is inspired to be their best.

There is so much to be said about the concepts of contact and "on the bit" in horseback riding. Many of the great riders of the past have elaborated on the idea and even the feel of on the bit, but without educated guidance on the ground while you're riding, true contact can become a long-awaited and distant dream. So although we can benefit greatly from the words below, it falls to ourselves to be forever on the quest of discovering an honest and effective contact with our own horses, making the act of riding pleasurable not only for the human, but also for the horse.

I've tried to pick out the most relevant sections for today's quotes, but please go to the original books to get a much more in-depth analysis. Enjoy!

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The connection between the rider's hands and the horse's mouth is called "contact with the bit." This contact governs the guidance and collection of the horse.... To be correct this contact should be consistent. The rider should have the feeling that he is connected to the horse's mouth by means of an elastic ribbon. As the reins are made of leather and have no spring, this elastic connection can be brought about only by the supple flexion of the horse's jaw combined with the sensitive and light touch of the riders hands, which depends on flexible wrists. A perfect contact is possible only when the horse is in absolute balance, carries himself, and does not seek support from the reins. It may then be said that the horse is "on the bit."

Podhajsky, Alois. (1965). The Complete Training of Horse and Rider In the Principles of Classical Horsemanship (pp.41-42). New York, NY: Doubleday.

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Unlike popular perception, acceptance of the bit has very little to do with the frame in which we ride the horse. It is more that wherever we place our reins - long, short, or to one side - the horse follows them without evasion. Acceptance of the bit could also be called "the confidence of the horse in the rider's hand."

Riding a horse in a very short and cramped frame in front has nothing to do with being on the bit. Neither does work with draw reins, martingales, curbs, chambons and other artificial aids (based on inflicting pain) help to achieve it. The acceptance of the bit is a demonstration that the horse has been taught to find his balance and to carry himself willingly in front of the rider's leg, accepting the reins and the bit as communication, rather than a threat of pain or support to lean on.

Only when a horse has accepted the bit can he begin to carry himself. And, as the engagement improves, the horse will become lighter and lighter, without the rider having to use any artificial aids or excessive rein action.

Gahwyler, Max. (1989). The Competitive Edge: Improving Your Dressage Scores in the Lower Levels (p. 29). Middletow, MD: Half Halt Press.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When one drives the horse forward towards the bit, the bit should ever so slightly elude the horse's "arrival" on it, his taking hold. This allows the horse to step forward without fear of hindrance by pulling (and the accompanying pain). The horse's forward (but not running) thinking very much depends on his courage in working towards the bit. The bit must represent to him a suggestive and resilient opening, a yielding and elusive communication, rather than a literal contact. A tense, restraining, pulling rein results in an open jaw, tense neck and back muscles, and ugly, apprehensive, stiff, pussy-footing strides.

de Kunffy, Charles. (1984). Dressage Questions Answered (p.69). New York, NY: Prentice Hall Press.

What do you think about when you consider contact and having your horse on the bit?

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Riding Goals Defined: At some point, you’re going to find yourself wondering: why am I riding?

The ‘Art’ of Riding: When does riding transform from being a purely physical endeavour based on skills and technique, to “sculpting while progressing through space?” (de Kunffy, 1992, p.3)

Studying the Circle: The circle is used so frequently, not only in dressage, but in almost all disciplines, that we would be remiss to not include it in our “studies” about riding and training.

The Rider: Although the world around the horse has changed over the years, the horse itself remains essentially the same, and therefore the requirements of riding are essentially unchanged.

What Responsible Horse Ownership Really Means

Horses have given us so much since their domestication approximately six thousand years ago.

They gave us power and advantage as cavalry mounts. They carried our wares as pack animals. They pulled our wagons and helped us create new civilizations all over the world. Once we settled, they plowed our fields and provided us with means to grow food.

Nowadays, horses have taken a back seat to mechanized equipment. They are owned mainly for sport or pleasure, sometimes taking on the role of a pet.

Yet they continue to give.

They give by becoming our companions, our teammates, our recreational pursuits; they help us grow, learn and play.

At this point, it's our turn to give back. However, we need to keep in mind that horses are prey animals and long-time domesticated livestock. If we listen well enough, we discover that what we think of as giving might not be what the horses truly need.

As owners of these magnificent animals, it is our responsibility to prepare them for a life within the environment and structure in which we live. By taking on horse ownership, we are taking on the duty of caring for and training our horses in such a way that enables them to survive well in our social structures.

In other words, our horses should be trained sufficiently to be suitably socialized to do well in a human-ized environment. Unless we can buy 20,000 acres (or more) of pasture land with plenty of natural resources to support a herd of untouched (wild) horses, it becomes our duty to help our horses know how to get by in this world of the human.

Some examples

Our horses should not bite. They should not kick people. They should allow people to handle them in a way that keeps people safe from harm.

And it falls to us to teach them socially appropriate behavior - because the bottom line is that if the horse does not respond appropriately in regards to humans, it will be the horse that suffers in the long run - and potentially be put down for his dangerous or unacceptable behavior.

How to Be A Responsible Horse Owner

There are so many aspects of responsible horse ownership:

- simple horse training of day-to-day tasks

- bring a horse along carefully and compassionately as a young horse

- have an intrinsic lifelong passion for learning all things "horse" (the desire for self-improvement)

- represent a horse honestly and ethically when presenting him for sale

- teach people who are new to horses in a similarly responsible manner, even if they have (possibly misguided) ideas of their own

Whether you own a foal, a young horse, or an old-timer, always be aware of your responsibility to your horse. Being a good horse listener and responsible owner means that you get to "give back" in a way that ensures a long and comfortable life for your horse - even in a humanized environment!

Dressage As A Healing Tool

At its essence, the French term, dressage, means "training". In effect, all we do when we ride "dressage", is develop a better training regiment for both ourselves and our horses. Regardless of discipline, solid basic training is what every movement is based upon.

Even at its most basic level (or perhaps, especially at the most basic levels), dressage holds a value to horses of all disciplines.

Done well, it presents opportunity for you to analyze your horse's way of going, strengthening weaknesses and evening out imbalances in movement.

Done well, it provides you opportunity to develop your basic riding skills, strengthening weaknesses and evening out imbalances in your aids.

Because both are critical to your horse's success in performance, and your success as a rider.

What do dressage exercises do for the horse?

Stretching/Releasing/Bending/Strengthening

If riding were a language (which in fact, it is), then the alphabet would be based on the above qualities of movement. The foundation for all movements begin with the horse's ability to stretch, release, bend and be strong. All four qualities combine to allow the horse to move in a way that keeps him sound and physically functional for years to come. If any one component is missing, then the horse runs the risk of joint/muscle/tendon injury.

Stretching

There are two ways a horse can stretch - longitudinally (over the topline), and laterally (side to side). The former is usually the first to be accomplished well and the latter improves along with the topline as that develops. As a young horse learns to stretch, the muscles have an easier time releasing and working in tandem.

Releasing (Suppling)

Some people refer to muscle release as "relaxation" - as in, the horse should relax while cantering. However, a horse cannot truly relax in movement - he must "release" his muscles instead.

You will know that your horse released his muscles by how the movement feels: fluid, ground-covering, lightweight and sometimes even bouncy. Your horse's expression might change - from tense ears to soft and floppy, from almost no breathing sounds to snorts and deep grunts. You know you are in true suppleness when the movements feel effortless.

Stiffness and tension are the opposites to a release. Horses ridden with tight muscling develop mystery lamenesses and other ailments over the long term. All riding exercises should be aimed toward improving the horse's ability to release the muscles through their particular exercises and limit stiffness and tension as much as possible.

Bending

Increased ability to stretch and release will invariably lead to better bending. All horses have a preferred side, much like we humans have a dominant hand. Better bending will lead to better evenness in the left and right body. The horse will develop his ability to bear weight more evenly on both hind legs, and therefore stretch through both sides in an easier manner.

Strength

You might be amazed at the horse's development once the muscles work together instead of against each other. First of all, the horse's muscling will change visibly. You might notice a top line musculature where there was none before. You might notice a squaring of the rump when viewed from behind. There might also be a delightful groove developing over the horse's back over the spine, a sure indication of supple muscles working underneath the saddle. But the clincher is that the horse becomes capable of doing the movements (in whatever discipline) easier, slower and with more control.

The Healthy Horse

Regardless of our disciplines, we want horses to live long and thrive in their work until old age. Adding dressage exercises regularly into your routine workouts will always reap benefits in several areas at once.

When combined, the above components of riding will result in the horse's increased capacity for correct weight-bearing. And more than anything, improving the horse's ability to carry the rider's weight in a manner that not only prevents damage, but in fact improves the horse's health and well-being, is what all good riding should endeavor to produce.

Buy the book!

If you enjoyed the above article, you'll find over 200 pages of amazing Horse Listening articles in a beautifully bound paperback, or in electronic format, to take with you to the barn.

Personally signed books available! Just send me a message.

Would you like to be the rider that all horses dream of?

By following simple, useful exercises, you will be able to develop a better understanding about many topics including:

- the rider’s aids

- the use of the seat

- the half-halt

- accurate turns and circles

- transitions

- horse ownership and horse care

- goal setting for the rider

- rein lameness

… and much more!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Perfecting Perfection in Riding: A Lifelong Quest

Let's just face the facts - there is no such thing as perfection in riding!

One step at a time — Photo credit: N. Banaszak

It is simple and true: one merely keeps developing, and once a particular technique or skill has been mastered, the next (absolutely necessary) step must be reached for. It is inevitable - for the lifelong rider, there is no other way.

Often, the fact that perfection can never be attained is the reason we keep coming back for more. We discover growth in so many areas thanks to the interactions we have with the horse. If we can listen carefully enough, we will achieve goals that also transfer into other areas of our lives, making riding relevant not only to our physical development, but also to so much more.

We all have our flaws.

Some people are perpetual "hand riders". They ride more on the reins than with their seat and leg aids.

Many people forever lean to one side, working against tightness or rigidity in their cores. Others have to struggle with a tight lower back and pelvis, always trying to release more than their bodies are willing to permit.

A few of us rush our horses and put them on the forehand, while others ride slow and flat so their horses are unable to use their hind ends and swing in their backs.

Finally, some of us eventually realize that we have several issues that must be overcome (!) before we can reach our potentials as riders.

After a few years in the saddle, you will be able to identify your main weaknesses and strengths, and you will know what you need to work on for a very long time.

The same can be said about our horses.

Some horses are severely one-sided. Some horses have a behavior they revert to as soon as something causes tension: rearing, bucking, head shaking, ducking in or out, balking/quitting, etc.

From an outside perspective, it seems obvious that everyone has something to work on at any one point in their development, and horses are not an exception.

So how does the concept of "perfection" fit into our many inadequacies?

We will never really find the perfect horse, nor will we ever be a perfect rider. However, it would be irresponsible of me to give you the impression that riders don't try to find perfection.

Of course we try for perfect.

We learn new skills, develop our weaknesses, practice over and again. Just when things seem to become insurmountable, and the same problems reappear repeatedly, we learn that it is essential for us to put the pieces together and invest the extra effort it takes to get over the hump.

We begin to revel in the moments of glory when they occur, and then continue doggedly when they disappear. We string together a series of great steps to make one movement shine.

Then we develop performance movement to movement. Here's how.

Six steps to perfection:

1. Take lessons.

2. Identify your "normal" (unconscious?) habits that might be interfering with the horse's movement, and work tirelessly on developing your physical skill.

3. Set goals and change them when needed.

4. Become an active rider and gently but firmly expect the horse to respond to your requests.

5. Watch better riders and analyze their reasons for success. Then try to duplicate.

6. Take more lessons.

Once that's all done, repeat!

Because perfection for you and your horse at that moment is what it's all about!

What do you do to attain perfection in your riding?

The Dreaded “Rein Lame”: A Mystery

You know the scene: it is virtually impossible for you to figure out what is wrong. The horse has a mild gimp in his movement, but you cannot pinpoint where it is. He does not appear to be lame, but he isn't sound either.

Your friends watch you ride and they can see it - there is that mild head bobble, the lack of stride in the hind end. But no one agrees on one verdict. One friend says it is the left hind leg, another thinks it is the front right. While you ride, you think it is somewhere front and back but it really is hard to tell.

You go through all the tried and true solutions. You even bring the vet out, and she sees nothing. On the lunge line, your horse presents even striding and no head bob.

But you know it's there.

Or maybe, your vet does see something. After extensive (and expensive) radiographs, there is nothing to be found. There is no swelling, no irritation, no injury. You give your horse some time off (while he runs around the pasture in circles at a gallop, showing no sign of discomfort) but as soon as you start your regular riding routine again, the mystery lameness resurfaces.

Does this scenario have a familiar ring to it?

If so, you are not alone.

Mystery lamenesses come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common characteristic they share is that they are hard to identify, diagnose and pinpoint. They may come and go, or they may linger for weeks on end. The key is that the "lameness" is mild and generally unidentifiable.

First we must check every other possibility to ensure that all the bases are covered.

Then, it is time to consider the one thing we often fail to recognize as a possible source of discomfort for the horse: our own riding technique. It stands to reason that horses will reflect any stressors that are put on their bodies - and riding can be one factor that is demanding enough to become detrimental to the horse over time.

Common Symptoms

Most mystery lamenesses can be blamed on unreleased tension in the horse's body. This might occur during riding, while the rider is mounted. Often, the lameness is not evident when the horse is moving around freely in the paddock.

Some horses tighten behind the saddle in the lumbosacral region, where the lumbar vertebrae stop and the sacrum begins. This area tends to be a weak zone and prolonged tension in the area can translate into uneven steps and lame-like symptoms in either the front end or the hind end. Hip problems can also be connected to the l-s joint.

When you ride circles, does your horse have a habit of making small circles in one direction and large ones in the other direction? The size difference is likely due to shoulder tension (which goes hand-in-hand with lack of hind end engagement - see below). This type of front-end lameness comes and goes but is usually present in turns and corners (less obvious on straight lines). The root of this problem is that horses generally travel in a crooked manner. If action is not taken to address the crookedness in their movement, ligaments and tendons in the shoulders may become affected.

Finally, another type of mystery lameness can be due to lack of engagement of the hind end. If a horse is not taught early in his riding career to reach underneath the body with a deep, strong stride, the hind end development may suffer. Without a strong hind end action to support the weight of the horse and rider, you may find the horse falling heavily to the forehand. You might notice heavy sounding footfalls, tripping, inconsistent stride lengths, heavy contact, and a generally unhappy and unwilling attitude. Eventually, the wear and tear on the horse's front legs can lead to ligament and tendon damage that appears in the form of an on-again, off-again lameness.

Most of the time, regardless of how the lameness appears, the horse is not "forward" enough in all the gaits.

What to do?

1. Become very aware of tension during riding.

Some horses truck along calmly, willingly riding along even with tight muscular tension. It is easy to overlook the tightness of movement because of the horse's generous character. Learn how to spot the tension, or better yet, how to feel it. Identify where the horse is blocking the energy so that you can take steps to address it.

Find a good instructor who can teach you how to help the horse release tension - whether it is mental or physical - as much as possible during every ride. You can imagine that if the horse is moving in tension almost all the time, there will inevitably be painful repercussions in the long run. Finding techniques to release the topline of the horse and encourage strong, bold movement will help your horse let go of the blocks that are holding him back from completing his strides.

2. Check in to your own body.

If you are tense, your horse will likely be tense in exactly the same place! Invest in lessons, or get an educated eye on the ground to help identify your areas of tension and how to release (not "relax") the tightness out of your body. It is very common for riders to grip steadily through the reins to help maintain their own balance, ride with unforgiving elbows, or hold a tight lower back even while the horse is moving. The good thing about being the source of the problem is that you can fix yourself!

3. Keep your horse moving straight, even on circles and bends.

A horse can move crooked on a straight line or even on a circle. Often, a horse prefers one side to another, putting too much weight on one shoulder. It is the task of the rider to identify the strong (and tight) side of the horse and develop stretching techniques to encourage even development of the horse's muscling.

4. Help your horse find his "happy place" as often as possible through the ride.

As mentioned in this article, it is possible for a rider to teach her horse to enjoy being ridden. The better you know your horse, the more you will be able to "play" while you work. Horses that enjoy their rides are generally more willing, giving and supple in their movements.

5. Start with and end the ride with a balanced, rhythmical stretchy trot, canter and finally walk.

There is no replacement to the stretchy walk, trot and canter. It is a great way to loosen the horse during the warm-up, and the best way to wrap up the day's lessons. When the horse lifts his back and reaches down and out with the nose, the top line muscles have an opportunity to stretch and release. Since the neck is attached to the withers, and the withers to the large muscles over the top of the back, the stretch can reach far back toward the hips.

Once horses know how to stretch, they look forward to the release and often announce their pleasure through snorts and licking an chewing. The stretch is a way to consolidate all that was done during the ride and is an excellent way to come to a calm and relaxing end.

*****

There are likely many more ways to teach a horse suppleness and release of the muscles. The key point is to become aware of the tension and learn how to address it. As you improve your riding skill, and learn more techniques (and "tools") to draw from, you will be able to pinpoint the cause of the lameness and then the solution.

If you want a more specific suggestion on how to improve rein lameness through riding, here is an exercise: Stepping Out of the Rein Lameness.

Do you have any other techniques to help the horse work with less tension?

Read the following for more information:

https://www.horselistening.com2012/03/11/the-dynamic-dependency-of-horseback-riding/

https://www.horselistening.com2012/02/26/when-do-you-start-riding-your-horse/

https://www.horselistening.com2012/02/24/how-to-be-an-active-horseback-rider-a-k-a-riding-with-intention/

https://www.horselistening.com2012/01/29/when-good-enough-just-isnt-good-enough-in-horseback-riding/

https://www.horselistening.com2018/12/04/its-one-thing-to-know-what-it-should-look-like/

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

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

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Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

The Healthy Horse

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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The same can be said about our horses.

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Six steps to perfection:

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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