5 Best Lessons Learned From My Horse Adventures

When you start riding, or taking riding lessons, you think - oh yeah, I'm going to learn how to ride and do things in the ring with horses. Little do you know that if you carry on enough, you will invariably get to experience things you've never even dreamed of.

I think back to my first riding adventures, and I can easily think of SO MANY experiences that are permanently etched in the horsey recesses of my mind - like galloping up a very inclined hill because that's the only way you'd make it to the top, walking through chest-deep (to the horse) snow, swimming with my horse in a lake (no tack - just hang on to the mane and get your legs out of the horse's way!), and passing my Intermediate Rider exams on my self-trained horse... I bet I can think of almost a hundred amazing adventures.

But let's start with just five.

1. Horses Can Lie Down When Picketed

Once upon a time, I went on a four-day camping ride with my horse. We went deep into crown land, which meant that there were no amenities for horse nor humans! The guide, who was very experienced in overnight trips, brought along a wagon pulled by two big beautiful Belgian draft horses, and he loaded everything on the wagon: the food for four days, the tents, the gas stoves, clothes, horse equipment... it was packed.

As we left, I wondered where the horses were going to be turned out overnight. He looked at me, and simply said, "they'll be picketed."

And so I was introduced to the ageless practice of picketing. He had brought thick ropes that he attached between two sturdy trees, and slid in a large metal ring. Each horse got one rope. When it was time to set up camp, we tied the horses to the ring, which was far above their heads. I watched as my mare discovered that she could walk the whole length of the rope. She could eat from the ground, turn around, look at her friends and watch us as we cooked and ate dinner.

And, to my amazement, she could lie down when it was time to sleep! I don't know why I thought they'd have to stand up overnight, but the lead rope that was tied to the ring was long enough that it allowed them plenty of room to bring their heads right to the ground, without them getting caught up in it!

And so, I learned that we don't need a paddock or electrified turn-out, and the horses could be safe and comfortable on a picket line.

2. You Can Get A Pacing Horse To Trot (And The Pace Is Just Fine To Sit To!)

The same mare, Kayla, was a free-legged Standardbred pacer. Although I'd ridden many horses before I bought her, the pacing had me a little befuddled at first. When you ride the pace, you don't have that forward and up thrust of the trot - instead, it's a side-to-side dip and lift! Over time, I learned to sit the pace just as well as the trot. In fact, it was smooth and FAST!

But the time came when I wanted to ride Kayla in lessons, and she sort of needed to trot (at least once in a while). So I went on a learning journey to see if I could transition from the pace to the trot if I wanted to. I reached out to my Standardbred association and found some books (no Internet back then!). Sure you can, they said. Here's how.

Bend!




Pacing requires the horse's body to be straight. If you bend onto a circle or turn, the rib cage will supple and will require the horse to break the pace. You wouldn't want that if you were racing, but a ridden Standardbred can surely benefit from the trot. And so over time, I was able to ask for the pace as well as the trot, much like you'd do for any gait. It was so much fun switching back and forth!

3. Not All Horses Are Trail-Wise

I did competitive trail with Kayla. Incidentally, her pace was amazing for long distances - fast!

She was truly talented for the trail. She had the most beautiful high-stepping gait. She rarely stumbled and always found good footing somehow. She KNEW that she should follow the path ahead of her, and I rarely had to actually "steer" her because she could see the turns coming and adjust accordingly. She snorted and flung her mane and pretended to spook, but in short time, she knew if she went straight ahead, she could outrun whatever scared her. She was actually safer the faster she went.

And so, as you might expect, when I bought my new horse after her, I was caught off guard when this horse would walk OFF the trail and get her legs caught in dense undergrowth. I learned to hang on tight when she deked away from scary squirrels and trees. I had to rate her speed because she'd run fast downhill and stumble. And I learned to carefully steer her through rocky sections so she wouldn't injure herself.

So now I know that not all horses are born for the trail, and some horses need careful training and riding until they become trail-wise.

4. Sometimes You Should Just Call It A Day - Even If You Just Started

This was an important lesson that another mare (and my instructor) taught me.

It was lesson time, and I had my mare groomed and tacked and ready to go. She seemed uncharacteristically tired in the cross-ties, but it was hot and humid. I thought it was completely legitimate to be a little pokey in those conditions.

We started our warm-up a few minutes before my instructor arrived. The mare was definitely not her go-go self at all. We tried a little trot and it was all I could do to get the transition.

My instructor asked me questions to try to figure out why she wasn't herself. We considered food, sleep, bugs... everything was consistent and no different than other days. Then she realized: was she in heat?

Well, yes, I'd noticed her goopy legs. Yes, she was in heat.

"OK, put her away then." I was a little surprised, because I had booked my instructor for two lessons in a row. This meant that she'd only do one lesson (with my next horse).

No problem - she wasn't going to charge me, and we weren't going to try to ride the mare.

"She is probably in pain or discomfort today. Mares sometimes get just as uncomfortable as we do, you know," she said. "I'm not going to charge you, no worries."

I felt SO RELIEVED that I wasn't going to have to make my horse move when she really couldn't. I was also very appreciative of my instructor's decision. For her, it was all about the horses.

To this day, I will "pay it forward" to the horses (and riders) that I teach. I give the horse the benefit of the doubt, and I take it easy in terms of charging my students. And I always remember to listen to the horse!

5. Practice DOES Make Better - With Instruction

Well, you must know this is why I created Horse Listening and the Practice Sessions.

I'm living proof! Most rider problems can be solved with good, intentional practice. Many horse problems can also be solved that way. You just need an instructor or mentor who is willing to invest their time into you and help identify and redirect mistakes. I've been very lucky to have several great instructors.

Mistakes - we can't get away from them. In fact, if we don't make mistakes, I don't think there would be a whole lot of learning going on. Mistakes help guide us toward a better direction. They help us figure out a plan, and help us amass all the things NOT to do, so we discover the things we need to do.

When a rider finds something difficult, I tell her that she just needs to get started - any reasonable exercise will do. Then we whittle away the "loudest" problem and little by little, things get easier. And then invariably, one day, it becomes easy! At that point, I know that the rider has mastered the skill and it's time to move on to the next difficult thing! 🙂

What amazing horsin' around adventures have you had? I bet we can write an entire book on the subject! Comment below if you'd like.

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.

Click here to read more  and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

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!

Horse Listening The Book
Click to learn more.

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

Available as an eBook or paperback.

From the book:
"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!
Click here for more information: https://www.horselistening.combook/

What Is A Balanced Seat?

Balanced Seat Horse Riding
Photo Credit: J. Boesveld

We often hear instructors and clinicians talking about the "balanced seat", and how important it is to effective horse riding. It stands to reason that without a balanced seat, the rider is UNbalanced! But what we don't hear often is what is actually balanced about the balanced seat, and how to achieve it! So here are a few thoughts.

Stay With The Horse

In order to stay with the horse's movement, the seat has to at once move but also not move too much. If the horse moves, the seat HAS to follow along, and dance the dance that it is receiving from the horse's back. But if it moves TOO much - far beyond the horse's movement - then, it's a flopping seat and it can actually unbalance the horse! So the difficult trick is to teach your body to stay with the horse but to also stay toned and strong, especially through the core, where most of the horse's movement is received and absorbed.

Stay On Top Of The Horse

We've all probably gotten either too far ahead of the horse's movement, or alternately, fallen behind the horse's movement. It's very easy to do! If the horse lurches forward, our vertical upper bodies have the tendency to get left behind, and suddenly, we find ourselves leaning back and doing our best to not fall off even as the horse continues to move off. Then, when the horse suddenly slows down or stops, we get thrown forward, sometimes toward or on the horse's neck.

First off, we need to have the strength in our core muscles to be able to keep our shoulders above our hips no matter what the horse does. So as the horse goes to lurch forward, we have to counter that movement by keeping our shoulders vertical and not allowing our upper bodies to give in to the pull backward. The same thing goes for the fall forward - knowing when to stay strong in the lower back to prevent the lean forward is very helpful when the horse suddenly stops moving.

But it also helps to keep the horse "ahead of the leg", and to create smooth, flowing transitions. It's probably fairly obvious that if you can help your horse stay better balanced, that you'll be able to stay vertical through the movements that much better, and with a lot less effort.

No Leaning!

Aside from the backward and forward falling, there's also the side-to-side component of the seat.

Many of us might lean or turn or collapse to one side. It might have to do with our bodies, or with our muscle memory from times past, or just from long ago habits that were never corrected in the first place. The only thing to do here is to stay even on top of both seat bones. Your shoulders should be parallel to your horse's shoulders (and pointing into a circle if that's where you're going. Your hips should also be parallel to the horse's hips (and be straight if you are travelling on a straight line).

And then, stay that way! Try to feel your sides and avoid collapses. Try to notice if you turn your upper body too far going one direction. And counteract that lean through the turn, so that you can be as tall and straight on your horse as you can (even while you're turned just enough into that direction). This way, you will be able to help your horse stay as "straight on the turn" as he can.

Be Independent

When all the above imbalances are corrected, we can achieve something that I'm sure you've heard of many times: the "independent seat". Once the seat is balanced enough, it can become independent of the hands, and even of the legs to some degree, so that the rider can control each part of the body as needed. In this manner, for example, if the horse does move quickly in one direction, the seat (and torso) can counteract the movement by staying in balance, and thereby NOT causing the hands to hold onto the reins just for the sake of staying on the horse. Instead, they can support the horse through the movement, giving and taking as needed to help the horse maintain his balance. 

Be Effective

Finally, there is one last result of the balanced seat. The balance translates into effectiveness.

If you can do all the above, you can also improve your horse's way of going - which is what it's all about, really. We all want to keep our horses sound and safe and injury-free even while we ride them and enjoy the various disciplines with them. Good balance is one of the fundamental components of keeping a healthy and happy horse.

It's Simple, Really

At least, the concept is simple.

A balanced seat allows you to stay with your horse. Your upper body moves little and doesn't fall forward or backward. It doesn't lean or collapse left or right. It also allows you to use your aids more effectively, with less "noise" (so there's less to confuse the horse), and with more clarity.

The hard part is putting in the work to get there! But surely, with practice and feedback, it can be done. Have fun!

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.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

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!

Horse Listening Book 4
Click to learn more.

Buy the book for many more riding tips! 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.

The Power Of Straightness – And A Checklist

Photo Credit: J. Boesveld

I don't like to get too woo-woo about anything to do with horses and riding, but in a way, if there's something you want to go overboard about, it's straightness.

Straightness is critical to everything that has to do with horses and riding, but really, it's mostly for the horses. Because when the horse isn't straight, he's crooked. Which generally happens all the time, and is often not recognized. If we don't recognize crookedness, how can we even begin to work on straightness?

Now, to be fair, riding truly straight is not as easy as it sounds or looks. There is so much that goes into being straight, that it's yet another one of those things that riders spend their entire lives on: achieving some success, then falling apart, then getting even better, then finding new problems as they get better, and then re-establishing what they had before... it's never-ending. And the better they get, the more there is to learn.

But that's what makes achieving skills such as straightness so great! There's so much to it, until there isn't!

So how is straightness powerful?

Well, that's it, really. Being straight is being powerful.

The energy "goes through" - the power from the hind end can be transmitted all the way to the front end. Crookedness takes the power away.

The weight is evenly balanced - so every limb carries equal(ish) weight. This helps to alleviate stress on any one part of the horse's body, whether it's the shoulders, back, hips, or particular feet.

The straighter the horse, the easier it is for him to reach underneath with the hind legs, which means easier to begin to work on collection.

The body is in alignment, which allows the horse to maintain better balance all around. He will have an easier time with responsiveness.

The straight horse will have an easier time with rhythm and tempo. Both become more deliberate, more intentional.

And suppleness. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the odd thing about straightness is that it helps with left to right flexion and bend. And suppleness helps with straightness.

I'm sure there are at least another hundred benefits to straightness! But I think you're probably getting my point already.

Straightness Checklist

The intention of this checklist is to give you some concrete, practical points to look for when you're actually at the barn and riding. Print it off and take it with you!

While you're working on straightness, these are things you're looking for. Again, there's much more to be said about the topic. This is only a place to begin.

Rider's Position

  • Weight is even on both seat bones
  • Shoulders straight (or parallel to the horse's shoulders) - no leaning or collapsing
  • Head looking in the direction of movement (through the horse's ears), chin level to the ground
  • Legs evenly draped around the horse
  • Tall upper body




Rider's Aids

  • Inside leg to support the inside shoulder from dropping in
  • Outside leg to support the horse's hips from falling out
  • Inside rein slightly open for flexion as needed
  • Outside neck rein or direct rein to keep the horse's outside shoulder "in the body" (no bulging or drifting)
  • Seat, leg and appropriate rein (inside or outside, but usually outside) used for half-halts

Horse

  • Impulsion from the hind end (use two legs for go!)
  • Rib cage straight (not bulging one side or the other)
  • Shoulders are aligned with the body (not bulging)
  • Neck is straight (not over bent in one direction)
  • Head is straight and looking in the direction of movement (no twisting, or one ear lower than the other)
  • Horse is stepping straight with each step (legs do not deviate off the line)
  • Horse's hind leg footsteps follow along the same line as the front leg footsteps

Well, I think this should be enough to get you started. Even if you can improve on one area over the next little while, it will help you along your straightness path. For example, maintain your position while keeping the horse step straight with each step. That should take a fair amount of dedication to start with!

Now there is one thing I haven't mentioned yet.

Straightness is not JUST about travelling in a straight line. So you can be straight on a circle. You can be straight on a bend. You can be straight in a movement, like leg yield or walk pirouette. You can even be straight on a half-pass, even while the horse is bent in the direction of movement while travelling diagonally across the ring.

This is because straightness is about the alignment of the horse's (and rider's) body. So even while the horse is bent into a direction, he has to maintain "straight" alignment through the hips, ribs, shoulder, neck and head. If he isn't straight, then he'll have a bulging shoulder, or rib cage, or hips swinging out.

And now you can see how straightness permeates pretty much everything we do with a horse, from the beginning levels all the way up. And the secret is that it's not always necessary to work on trying to straighten single parts of the horse's body. In fact, you want to develop the prerequisites of straightness: rhythm (and tempo), suppleness, connection (and contact), impulsion... all of the basics that are discussed in the dressage Pyramid of Training. The better you get at the basics, the quicker and easier  it will be for the horse to move correctly, and eventually, straight. 

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.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

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!

Horse Listening The Book
Click here to learn more.

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

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!

Click here for more information.

10 Tips For The Average Rider (Video)

Are you an average rider? You know the type - the one who has to work hard for one step forward and two steps back.

Enjoy the following tips to get through those average rider moments that we all experience from time to time.

Read the original post here.

 

 

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If you enjoyed the above post, you might also like to check these out:

When “Good Enough” Just Isn’t Good Enough In Horseback Riding: We come up with all sorts of excuses to explain why we don’t want to or can’t get past the problem.

Too Good to be True? Finding Your Horse’s “Happy Place”: Did you know that through riding, you can help your horse achieve a happy, content outlook on life? Sounds ridiculously far-fetched? Too good to be true?

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.

What you Ought to Know About Instant Gratification in Horse Riding: There is no such thing!

Quit To Persevere: Quitting isn’t always a bad thing in horse riding – sometimes, it may just be the ticket!

 

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

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

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

What is it?

Counting strides.

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

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

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

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

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

Rhythm

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

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

Balance

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

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



Looseness 

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

Posture

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

Connection

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

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

Athleticism

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

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

Wow!

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

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

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.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

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!

Horse Listening The Book
Click to learn more.

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

Buy the book for many more riding tips!
Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding
From the first book in the Horse Listening Collection: Horse Listening, The Book
"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 digital or paperback.

What Are The Leg Aids For Canter?

leg aids to canter
Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

While the leg aids change little between the walk and trot, the canter does require some change in function and coordination.

Even when riders seem to know what they're doing, there may be some confusion about the fine tuning of the aids. Students often ask me to review especially the leg aids for the canter to make sure they are asking for the correct lead, and timing the aid in a way that helps the horse the most.

Basic aids

The basic aids are the way you first learn to ask for the canter. This method helps the rider find and keep balance especially as the horse changes gait and takes that first step into the canter.

1. Inside leg at the girth

The inside leg must stay at the girth. This leg might not have to do much in terms of squeezing at the calf but it is important in case the horse falls in on the inside shoulder. Many horses will lean into a turn or come off the straight line when they move into the canter, and the inside leg is the aid that helps keep the horse straight through the transition.

Put pressure with the lower leg and calf if your horse falls in. Wait for the horse to straighten up before you apply the outside leg, even if it takes a few strides before he's ready. If he doesn't fall in, you can apply both legs almost simultaneously (inside leg should go first though).

2. Outside leg behind the girth

I call this the "windshield wiper" leg. If you can free your leg at the knees, you can "swoosh" your lower leg back behind the girth, and basically teach the horse to take that first step with the outside hind leg as you swing your leg back. Please note that the leg doesn't have to stay far back behind the girth, though it should be positioned a little further back than the inside leg to be effective in keeping the hip straight and asking for the correct lead.

In general, you shouldn't have to apply a lot of pressure with the outside leg.

3. Seat

Well, I'd be remiss to not mention the seat here, even though I know I'm focusing on the leg aids.

The seat really is THE aid that indicates the gait change. In other words, your legs position the horse's body so he doesn't swing in with the shoulders, or swing out with the hips... but really, it's the seat that indicates the canter.

Just to keep it short - you position yourself so you are sitting tall on the inside seat bone, and you switch your seat rhythm from the trot to the canter. You can sit the last few trot steps so you can be in the saddle for the transition.

Please Note

Notice that I didn't mention a kick in any of the aids.




Sometimes I get questions about why I don't want to kick into the transition, and I realize it might be a little controversial for me to say this. However, in theory, the strike off for the canter does not need the rider to bang the horse on the sides and throw her weight forward (or fall behind backward). In fact, the quieter you can be, the better it is for the horse (and invariably, for you as you negotiate the balance change into the canter).

If your horse absolutely won't canter without a kick, then yes, go to the kick. But I encourage riders to work toward first positioning the legs as above, second exaggerating the windshield wiper outside leg, third changing the seat to a canter movement, and FOURTH - kicking with both legs. Then work toward weaning your horse off that kick, and become quieter in your position.

The Upper Body

The idea is to not fall forward or backward through the transition. Many of us want to collapse forward in attempt to encourage the horse to "go forward" - but changing from the trot (or walk) to canter is not really going forward at all.

In fact, it's more about changing the horse's legs. It's not about going faster, or getting longer in the body, or pulling on the horse to keep him shorter, or anything at all. There should really be no change (in our dreams!) other than the legs going from the two-beat trot, to the three-beat canter with an easily heard moment of suspension.

Ideally, the first step in the canter should be bold and strong, but not runaway. The next steps should be the same. You should clearly hear the three-beat rhythm of the footfalls. The canter should be round (not flat), ground-covering (not fast) and consistent (not slow down-speed up - slow down - speed up).

The Hands

This article is about the legs, so I won't go much into the hands except to say that they really shouldn't do much. 🙂

Ideally, they'd maintain the horse's flexion and bend. The rein might need to be shortened a little (an inch or so) if the reins were long-ish at the trot. Otherwise, there's little to do other than not interfere.

For a more advanced description of all the aids, check out the 7 Essential Aids For An Epic Canter Transition.

Now that I've shared my version of the leg aids for canter, I'd love to hear yours. What problems have you had with the transition to canter? What solutions have you found over the years? Share in the comments below.

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.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

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

From the book:
"There are many reasons why we enjoy riding horses. Maybe one of the most appealing facets of riding is the sense of freedom: freedom from our own limitations, freedom from gravity, freedom to (literally) roam the Earth. Time stands still while we have the privilege of feeling movement from the back of our four-legged friend.
Riding gives us the place to just be.
Of course, there are other purposes too. Some of us revel in the challenge of learning the skills required to becoming a good team member of this unlikely duo. Riding is like no other sport or recreational pursuit simply because of the equine partner that must not only carry us, but also do so effortlessly and gracefully. As we develop our specific skill sets, we also grow as human beings in character, emotional maturity and mental acuity.
But there is one other motivation that drives some of us to persevere in the never-ending learning process that is horseback riding: improving the horse. As your own skills develop, you begin to realize that not only can you meet your own needs through riding, but also that you can even become an instrument of benefit for the horse."
And so begins the book that reflects the most important learning I have had in all of my riding years: that I want to be the best rider I can be for the sake of my horses.
This book is geared toward the rider:
- the rider's motivations
- the essential skills for the rider
- some specific strategies
- solutions to common problems
- and the results: the great horsey moments we get to experience
Along the way, you will find chapters that discuss everything from the seat to the leg aids to the reins, discussions on half-halts, imbalance, halts, straightness and more!
Special in this book are the "In The Ring" sections that give specific suggestions based on the preceding chapters. Take these to the barn to try with your own horse!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

A Simple and Effective Horse Riding Warm Up (Exercise)

warm-up

I've written about warm-ups before but this is one of my favorites.

I often start the ride with this exercise, and it's great for so many reasons! It suits many horses for different end goals. Of course, you can use it during the middle of the ride as well, or maybe even make this your whole ride with a few variations.

This warm-up is suitable for:

  • young horses
  • inexperienced older horses
  • the sluggish to start horse
  • the runaway to start horse (!)
  • the imbalanced horse
  • the horse that is still trying to find a good tempo and rhythm
  • the horse working on basic gaits and transitions
  • the more educated horse, with some adjustments

It is also useful for:

  • the young rider
  • the inexperienced rider
  • the rider who is working on basic aids
  • the rider who is finding a good rhythm and tempo
  • the rider who is nervous of the runaway or unpredictable horse
  • the rider who needs some structure in the warm-up

The actual figure is fairly simple (but beware: simple may not be easy). Basically, you do four 20-meter circles as you make your way around the ring once.

  1. Start at C (Circle #1). If I'm on the left rein, I will start at trot and do a 20-metre circle at C. Then I'll navigate the corner, and head up the rail to E.
  2. Go into a new 20-metre circle at E. Then back to the rail, the corner, and head to A.
  3. Start a new circle at A. Complete that circle, go to the corner, head for B.
  4. This first round ends with a final circle at B. Go back to the track and head to A again.

I'll use this figure at the walk for ten minutes or so before I start the trot. Once I'm in the trot, I'll work on developing a strong but steady trot through the whole figure.

You can also do this at the canter of course, which presents all kinds of new and exciting challenges as you navigate turns and straight lines.

Do it several times each way, at each gait.

Pay particular attention to the following.

Circle Size and Placement

You don't have to aim for exact 20-meter circles if you are not practicing for dressage tests. However, do pick a circle size that fits your riding space, and be consistent all the way around the ring. Make it even on both sides (avoid falling in or drifting out).

Flexion

Flexion is one of the most basic component of suppleness over the top line. Always work on getting your horse to look in the direction of his movement. You don't even have to pretzel into a bend on these circles because of their large size.

However, you should be able to see the corner of your horse's inside eye in the turns. This helps your horse release the tension especially in the jaw and neck, as well as position him for better balance through a turn.

Rhythm and Tempo

This one is for the less-than-inspired horses and conversely, for the runaways. Try to find your horse's ideal tempo and stick to it.

Make sure it is energetic enough to allow him to use his hindquarters in such a way that he will have better balance in the turns and circles. You may need to jazz up the energy a bit in the circles - many horses tend to slow down or disengage when they head into a turn.

On the other hand, if your horse just goes faster-faster-faster, the circles are a great natural vehicle to help you regulate that leg speed and balance the horse better to the hind end. Use plenty of half-halts before, through and after each circle and in the corners.

Straightness

This figure alternates between mild bends on the circles, and straightness on the rails. This helps teach you and your horse to straighten after a bend and bend after being straight.

The straight lines give your horse a chance to unwind a bit out of the circles, reach forward and energize, and prepare for the next corner or turn. If your horse has a tendency to ride with his shoulders close to the rail, you might want to do a shoulder-fore as you travel up the straight lines.

Balance

As already mentioned, this exercise is a study in balance. Your horse might fall in to the circle. He might drift out. He might fall to the forehand on the straight lines. He might speed up and slow down. He might turn his neck in too much, or have a crooked head position.



These are all symptoms of imbalance and can be improved with half-halts, transitions and impulsion. As you develop your feel, you will know when to add some energy, when to stop it from "running out the front end", and when to slow the feet down altogether.

It is quite a challenge to be able to keep your horse in balance, in rhythm, in a steady tempo that is energetic but not too fast, in a mild bend as you go into and out of circles and lines. In fact, it is challenging enough that I tend to use this for not only beginner horses or riders, but also for the more advanced ones as they find their way through the nuances that improve quality of gait, connectedness and harmony. I use it myself too for horses at all stages.

Finally, you can get more creative with this figure. Once you feel you have a good handle on it, you can play around with transitions or circle sizes. You can canter one circle, trot another, walk a corner. You can do two 20-meter circles and two 10-meter circles. More advanced horse and rider combinations can add two "crunches" (or "sitting down") into the each circle. The sky is the limit in terms of what you can add to make it more exciting!

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.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

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!

Goal Setting For The Equestrian
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If you’d like a structured, but personal tool to set goals, take a look our 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.

Click here for more information.

Where Should You Start?

start here
Start somewhere.

Start somewhere.

It's easy to get caught up in perfectionism. The kind that holds you back and makes you stop before you even start.

Take horse riding, for example. There are so many successful riders out there to compare ourselves to. They make it all look so easy. Their horses just cruise through their movements effortlessly and seemingly without a care. Everything just comes together or them - simple, smooth and fuss-free.

But don't be tricked into thinking that those riders didn't put in their dues long before we ever came on the scene. Invariably - the ones that are the most polished, the most prepared and the most perfect - are the ones who have put in countless hours and thousands of repetitions in the process of just getting " there", to the moment you are watching them.

So what can you do?

Recognize that the path is long but filled with joy and adventure. While you work with the long term in mind, identify what you can do in the short term.

Then just start. Figure out what you can do today. Make it easy enough - maybe just 5% more difficult than you want to - and just do it. Push through the exercise, no matter what the result. If you end up with a hollow horse, note the discomfort, and put effort into changing something so that it might become better in the shortest time possible. But still, give it a go.

Then take some time to rethink the situation.

  • Find some help.
  • Get an instructor.
  • Read a book or two.
  • Watch other people's lessons and clinic rides.
  • Watch some good videos on YouTube.
  • Talk to your friends and peers and see what works for their horses.

But there is no answer more critical than getting well-informed, educated feedback. What you think you feel might not be what it actually looks like. What you want might not be where you or your horse are ready to go. Horse riding is one of those things that always requires an eye on the ground, and an expert opinion can help you avoid reinventing the wheel. It might also help keep you safe and your horse happy.

In our yearning for instant gratification, we tend to want things to fall into place quickly and easily. Be willing to let go a little and allow yourself room to explore, make mistakes and grow. Your horse will benefit from every effort you put into yourself, and so will the horses you ride in the future.



However, you have to start somewhere.

Once you start, you will invariably take another step. And another. And soon enough, you'll find your way to places you never thought you could get to - and it all started with that first step.

So today, get off that computer, get out to the barn and do something. Your horse will appreciate it and you will be better for it. Start somewhere, and soon enough, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve!

Horse Listening

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

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.

Click here for more information.

Goal Setting For The Equestrian: A Personal Workbook

Read more here:

When "Good Enough" Just Isn't Good Enough In Horseback Riding: What does it really take to improve?

7 Great Tips For Beginner Horse Riders: Here are a few ideas to help you navigate your way through your first steps (walk, trot and canter).

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

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

Top 10 Ways to Reward Your Horse: A happy horse is a willing partner, and many horses will give everything they have if they feel your acknowledgement and generosity of spirit.