horseback riding – Page 3 – Horse Listening

The Top 6 Reasons Why Horse Lovers Love the Earth

It is Earth Day, and as I think about the virtues of this planet, I begin to make profound connections between horses and the earth.

Caring for and riding horses must be among the most earth-dependent activities left to us (aside from farming and other such activities).

Here are the top 6 reasons why horse lovers love the earth:

6. The beauty of mother nature that never ceases to amaze.

What is better than a scenic view with horses leisurely grazing in a luscious green pasture? Or how about the trail ride you went on that wove its way through paths, up and down hills into unknown territory?

From quiet sounds dampened with new white snow, to dripping icicles on a warming early spring day, to wildflowers blowing in a meadow breeze, to the scorching heat of the summer sun - each season brings its own marvels in the cyclical mystery that is life.

There must be millions of memories etched in our minds of beautiful horse-related scenes that stimulate the senses and feed the soul.

5. The trees.

Trees are essential to the very basic needs of life; they provide shelter and purify the toxins we emit into the atmosphere. If you are lucky enough to have a (safe for horses) tree stand in your pasture, you know very well about the functional shelter they can provide from all the elements. They are also useful as snacks and back scratchers for some of our horses!

Trees are also master recyclers because of the very fact that they absorb the carbon in the air and release oxygen back into the atmosphere? We continue to have fresh air to breathe thanks to the trees that silently work their magic on the earth.

4. The crops.

One year, crops became a hot topic of discussion after a long, lingering drought that prevented the growth of most horse feed, including the basic staple of hay. Farmers were devastated by the lack of precipitation and although we were only somewhat affected locally, that small change in production was enough to highlight the importance of our farmers and food production networks.

Everything a horse eats can be traced right back to the earth - even the attractive designer bags filled with processed feed.

3. The air.

What we breathe provides us our very sustenance. Horses are as much affected by pollution as we are - maybe even more so. What we pump into the atmosphere stays in the atmosphere. While we expect our horses to perform athletically outdoors in the open air, we need to keep in mind our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible.

2. The ground.

The earth itself provides foundation for so many equestrian-related needs. You know what it feels like to ride in good footing. You also know how necessary the earth is when it acts as a base for a barn or an indoor arena. The type of footing affects moisture absorption, rendering a riding surface useless if conditions are not suitable - from frozen ground to muddy bogs, riding can be restricted or enhanced by the ground.

1. Raw materials.

Absolutely everything we have comes from the earth. This includes the metal that forms a horse's bit, the trailers that haul the horses and the gasoline that fuels our vehicles. Our homes and barns are made from materials that come from the earth. Our electricity, natural gas and running water originate in the earth.

There is simply no getting away from it. We owe our existence to the Earth. And our horses depend upon it.

Let us know in the comments below: in what horse-related way do you love the Earth?

Why A Release Is Not A Let Go in Horseback Riding

Release your seat after the half-halt.

Release your legs when the horse moves away from pressure.

Release your aids to reward the horse.

Release the inside rein to allow the horse to bend deeper to the inside.

Sometimes, we use the word "give" in place of release. Please use it interchangeably here.

In horseback riding, we can release any aid at any time: the reins, the seat, the legs. Regardless of riding discipline, we have to release our horses for hundreds of reasons. We use that word so many times in so many ways. But do we know what it really means?

Many people interpret the term literally as it sounds like it should be - a freedom, a giving away or a letting go of the aids. But in riding, a true release is more complicated than simply dropping everything!.

****

Let's change topics for just one minute to illustrate the point.

Do you watch any of the world figure skating championships? As I admire the exquisite coordination of the pairs and dance skaters, I am reminded of the level of harmony we need to produce with our horses to show a similar fluidity of movement (of course, anything I watch becomes somehow related to horseback riding - hehe).

So here is the scene: the guy lifts the girl, they do an intricate twist and thingy in the air, and then he "releases" her back to the ice. When you watch them, you see how carefully he carries her back down. What he doesn't do is drop her - or, simply let go.

****

The horse has four legs and he won't fall when you let go. It is true. We see riders "let go" of their horses all the time, and rarely do the horses fall to the ground (although some might stumble or trip). Thankfully, the horses hold their own and make up for the rider's lack of timing or aids or knowledge. But what does suffer is the horse's (and by extension, the rider's) balance.

Some horses lose confidence in their riders. Others learn to tune their riders out and just truck along on their own. Many plod along on their forehand year after year, doomed to some sort of lameness due to incorrect movement.

In any case, communication suffers, sometimes without the rider even knowing it.

What to do?

What not to do: let go.

Don't let go of your reins. Don't let go of your seat. Don't take your legs off the horse. Don't flop in the saddle.

Instead, work on a gradual giveaway.

Slowly reduce the pressure.

Leave your legs on but become less active.

Hold your own body but go more with the horse.

Keep a soft, delicate finger contact on the reins so your horse knows you are still talking to him.

Under all circumstances, maintain your balance.

Look for any and all reasons to release your aids.

Don't we all wish we could ride in lightness and complete balance? Just be weary of stopping or giving away or letting go completely.

Try to ride with the horse and work towards harmony and connectedness. Listen carefully to discover when your horse needs your support and when you should allow him to find his own way. There is a happy medium somewhere in between let go and absolute control.

If you can find it, you may also find a happier, more confident horse!

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

Available as an eBook or paperback.

If you liked the above article, you might also enjoy:

The #1 Rider Problem of the Year – The Leg Aid: You probably know from experience – kicking the horse along often does not get the response you really want.

Riding Straight Through the Turn: Although it sounds like an oxymoron, travelling straight through a turn is essential in maintaining the balance of the horse.

Stepping Out of Rein Lameness: Often, problems caused by riding can be fixed with riding. It is just a matter of knowing what to do in order to counteract the problems.

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…

Secrets to a Great Turn (a.k.a. Shift Out to Turn In): Can you tell if your horse uses his hind end before taking the first step in the new direction, or does he feel stiff and awkward, almost like he’s leaving his legs behind the movement?

5 Common Horse and Riding Myths

Do you regularly find yourself explaining/educating/justifying/rationalizing/defending your "horse habit"?

Do your parents/friends/co-workers/brother's children mock your passion and belittle the time, energy and effort you put into your beloved equine?

Then this article is for you!

Simply send the link to the offending person and encourage them to read through the following horse riding myths.

Although (from personal experience) it is usually very difficult to teach a skeptical person the method behind the equine madness, perhaps a little list outlining the most commonly-held falsehoods will begin to point them in the right direction!

1. Horse riding is for the rich.

How many people do you know who worked their way to one riding lesson a week? Some of us cleaned tack, scooped poop, groomed and tacked up horses for other riders! Then, some of us who bought horses into adulthood did so with careful budgeting plans, sharing our horses through part-boards and maybe even giving up on our own personal comforts to find the most affordable boarding situations we could find.

It is true that the bill on horse maintenance can be limitless depending on what you want, but look carefully and you will find many average earners with average jobs with an above-average passion for equines.

2. Horseback riding is easy.

We've already discussed this topic in our musings about what "they" say about horseback riding, so I'm going to cut to the chase and say it: horseback riding is NOT easy. Just getting on, allowing an animal six times our size dictate where we go when and coordinating the body sufficiently to not fall off is enough of a feat in itself.

Making it look easy is even more of a challenge, and most of us spend our entire riding lives perfecting our skills to do just that. The riders who appear as if they are just floating along while the horse does all the work are precisely the ones who are busting a gut and sweating behind the scenes.

3. Horses require very little care.

It is true that horses can be left to fend for themselves and possibly even thrive in a grassy pasture. But watch and learn over a few seasons to discover that at the minimum, the pasture needs maintenance. The horses need fresh water and grooming. Once the pasture dries out/runs out/grows over, the horses will soon need hay supplemented to their grazing area.

Add to that any expectation for performance, and you will notice that the horse will need regular handling and training, better grooming, improved feed for a more balanced nutrition and better overall general health care and worming. Showing adds even more requirements: a regular vaccination and general health schedule, a higher quality of muscling and sheen to the coat, neater tails and manes and better behavior.

Committing to caring for and riding horses is not a task to be taken lightly. It does add up in time!

4. Horses are like dogs but bigger.

This one takes very little time to figure out. Horses are prey animals and dogs are predators. Aside from being companions to humans, they are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of social dynamics and behavior. As prey animals, horses have a highly developed flight or fight instinct (mostly flight in our domesticated horses) and tend to be resistant to hanging around long enough to make detailed observations about a threatening situation.

Horses respond differently to humans as leaders and communicate on a completely distinct level from dogs. Long-time dog owners switching over to horse ownership discover quickly that the cuddling, food-rewarded training techniques used on their dogs don't go very far on their horses. Soon enough, if they listen carefully, they learn a whole new language reserved especially for their equines!

5. Horses "love" people like we love them.

It takes time to learn to accurately interpret equine communication. What we think of as developing a loving attachment might not be exactly how the horse interprets it. Perhaps he connects with you because you have spent years developing a communication system that he is familiar and comfortable with. Perhaps he nickers and turns in your direction because he knows you will be feeding him shortly after your arrival to the barn!

Although so many books and movies have portrayed undying bonds between horses and their humans, don't be too disappointed if you begin to understand that the horse merely expects you to be another herd member! This is true and right and simply the way of the horse.

Share any other myths in the comment section below!

Use the “Canter-Trot” to Truly Engage the Hind End

The word "engagement" is second to none when it comes to horseback riding. All the disciplines ask for hind end engagement, from western performance to dressage to jumping to endurance riding - there is no other way to move than from the hind end!

We know why we want engagement: if we can get the horse moving "from the hind end", the horse can stay sound even while ridden into old age. With more weight shifted to the hind end, there is less dragging on the forehand. There is better weight bearing over the back, and the lighter footfalls save the joints and tendons. Energy from the hind end is the prerequisite for horse riding heaven and we all know that! 🙂

However, we might not be quite as accomplished when it really comes down to figuring out how we can develop hind end engagement. Many riders think that kicking the horse along and making the legs move faster is the ticket to engagement - but that is nothing further than the truth!

The key to engagement is to initiate the movement from the horse's hind end, not the front end or shoulders.

So if faster isn't the answer, then what is?

We need to find out how to ask the horse to reach deeper underneath the body without throwing their weight to the forehand, and without speeding up the leg tempo.

There are many methods to teach engagement but the "canter-trot" is relatively easy for both the horse and rider. It also accomplishes the main purpose of shifting the weight to the hind end and waking up the horse's rear engine muscles.

How to "Canter-Trot"

Start from any gait (even a reverse)

Canter (no more than three strides)

Then Trot

Before you get insulted by the seemingly simple instructions above, please take note: it's not as easy as it sounds!

Possible Errors

There might be several unwanted responses you will have to redirect before you get the desired result.

1. The horse wants to canter off into the sunset.

Many horses transition into the canter but then resist breaking back into the trot. There may be many reasons why but invariably, horses have an easier time staying in the canter (and eventually getting heavier and heavier to the forehand). This is because it takes a lot of hind end work to break the momentum of the canter!

Remember that this exercise is not intended to be a canter exercise. It is a canter-TROT exercise, so the horse has to break back into the trot within one, two or three canter strides.

2. The horse trots faster.

To engage the hind end, the horse must take a few canter strides. Just moving the legs faster into the trot is completely counterproductive to establishing hind end engagement.

If the horse just trots along faster, half-halt into a slower trot rhythm, and ask for the canter again.

Then trot.

3. The horse shows discomfort.

There might be ear pinning, tail swishing, teeth grinding, hopping... you name it. Basically, the horse is indicating either physical discomfort or mental stress.

First, ensure that there is nothing wrong with the tack, and there is nothing otherwise physically bothering the horse. If the horse is demonstrating confusion or frustration, you are likely taking him out of his comfort zone (comfortable = riding on the forehand?) and asking him to do something that he honestly finds difficult.

In this case, be gentle, calm and patient but be firm! Many horses get used to working on a heavy forehand and initially resist bearing weight on the hind legs. If this happens to be the case, then teaching the horse hind end engagement is even more essential than you think!

Keep trying for the canter and when you get it, trot.

What happens after the canter?

After the few canter strides, break back into the trot. This trot should be very different from the trots before the canter. It should feel more active, bouncier and even slower. If the hind legs are truly reaching farther underneath the body, the stride might become longer and more ground-covering.

At this point, you might want to enjoy the trot you have and move into further trot work from here. You might want to develop even more engagement and do a few more canter-trots in a row.

Alternately, you might want to move into a completely new movement that benefits from the deeper engagement you just achieved.

Play with this a few times, and then let us know how it works for you in the comments below!

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

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!

Click here for more information.

How to Halt Without Pulling on the Reins

Photo Credit: J. Boesveld / Power up the trot to get ready for the halt!

Does your horse get offended when you pull on the reins to stop? Does he pin his ears, shake his head, hollow his back and keep going?

Maybe he's trying to tell you something: stop pulling on the reins! 🙂

There is a way to get your horse to stop without pulling on the reins.

But first, you both have to be "in sync" together, working in tandem instead of against each other.

If you haven't done this before, it may take a few tries to convince your horse that you want to work with him. Horses that are regularly pulled on seem to accept that the pressure has to be there before they should respond. They might learn to lean on the bit, pulling against you while you pull backward, hoping for the legs to stop.

Some horses are generous and eventually slow their feet, stop/starting until finally, all four legs come to a halt. Other horses might not be quite as forgiving and just keep going until you have to put more and more pressure on the mouth. Eventually, one of you wins but it's never pretty!

We all dream of finding the halt that looks like we are in complete harmony with our horse. You know - the one that feels like the horse's legs are your legs, and your mind is so coordinated with the horse that it looks like you are reading each other's thoughts.

It does happen. The secret: ride from your seat.

I'm perfectly aware of the fact that we've talked about the seat many times already, but there is no other answer. Everything in horseback riding begins and ends with the seat.

The instructions below might sound quite complicated. Initially, developing the timing and coordination of aids should be! Learning correct aids should be a lifelong quest for most of us, and if we have old, ingrained habits (like pulling on the reins), these changes may take even longer.

But in the long run, you won't have to think anything through and the aids will happen together on their own.

Setup for a Correct Halt

1. Contact

Prepare several strides ahead of the intended location. Your reins should be a good length - not too long and not too short. There should be a steady enough contact on the bit to be able to communicate very subtle changes of pressure.

2. Begin a series of half-halts.

Power up the trot before starting with the half-halts. Two legs "on"!

The half-halts start at the seat. In rhythm with the horse's movement, resist with your lower back. Be sure to resist in rhythm. In other words, your lower back and seat will feel something like this: resist... flow... resist... flow... resist... flow.

2a. Use your legs.

During each flow moment, squeeze lightly with your lower legs. This helps the horse engage his hind end deeper underneath the body in preparation with the halt.

2b. Use the hands.

During each resist moment, squeeze the reins with your hands. You might squeeze both reins or just one rein (the outside rein being the usual rein) but in any case, do your best to use the hands after the leg aids. The rein pressure should occur in tandem with the resisting seat aid.

3.When you are ready for the halt, simply stop your seat.

Maintain contact with your legs and reins, but stop the activity. Don't keep pulling on the reins.

If the horse is truly with you, his legs will stop lightly and in balance.

***

Horses that have been trained to respond to the half-halt will sigh in relief when you lighten up on your aids and use your seat in the halt. You might be surprised at how easily the legs will stop if you can improve your timing and releases.

Horses that have always been pulled on might not respond at all. They might be expecting to be hauled backward, thrown to the forehand, and dragged to a stop. If this is the case, be patient. If you haven't done this before, it may take a few tries to convince your horse that you want to change things up.

You might have to bridge the learning gap by applying the half-halts several times, stopping your seat and then pulling to stop. In the end though, the pull should disappear completely from your vocabulary (exception: in an emergency stop).

Regardless of how you get there, the goal is to stop all four legs in a light, balanced manner that allows the horse to use his hind end when he takes that last step. Your horse might walk a few strides and then halt.

If you feel your horse’s front end lighten into the halt, you know you are on the right track. If you discover the four legs stopped square and parallel to each other, pet and gush over him, and call it a day!

What do you think? How do you halt your horse?

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

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.

Why Would You Bother to “Scoop” Your Seat Bones?

We often talk about using our seat in horseback riding, but explaining exactly how to use the seat is not always explained in a clear manner. It's a difficult topic, but I'll take a stab at it. If nothing else, maybe the discussion here will motivate you to dive deeper into the topic with your instructor.

Why would you bother to learn to move the seat bones, you ask?

The seat is the most essential of all riding aids. Everything depends on the seat - your balance, your capacity to use your rein and leg aids, your coordination in following the horse's movements, even your ability to calm a nervous horse. Without a deep, effective seat, your hands and legs will never become "independent" of the torso, and thereby they will always unintentionally interfere with the horse's movement.

The topic of the seat is long and complex. Learning to use your seat effectively should take a lifetime to develop, so we will begin with just one basic aspect: how to move the seat bones.

Well, it's simple but not so easy at the beginning.

Go Grab Your Dining Room Chair and Learn to Scoop

Do this off the horse: go grab one of those flat wooden chairs. Sit forward a bit on the edge of the chair, and work on tilting the chair forward so that it comes off its two back legs.

The action required to get the chair to tilt is a "scooping" forward of the seat bones.

Can you tilt it with both seat bones? Can you tilt it with just one seat bone?

It may seem fairly easy to tilt the chair. Practice a bunch of times so your body can be blueprinted for the movement. Then, let's take that technique and head off to ride your horse. Now, you must scoop in the same way while the horse is moving! 🙂

On Horseback

When you are sitting on the horse, try for a moment to ignore your legs that are gently hanging on the horse's side. Keep your feet in the stirrups, but just let your legs hang and take your focus to your seat bones.

Ask the horse to walk and now, pretend that your seat bones take the place of your legs. In other words, start walking on your seat bones, in rhythm with the horse's movement. Use your seat bones as you would your legs - move them forward and backward as needed to follow the horse's stride.

If you want to walk on your seat bones, you have to "find the feel" of how to scoop forward and up with each seat bone at the right time.

The trick is to identify which seat bone needs to move when. Scoop the left seat bone forward, then the right seat bone, then left-right-left-right and so on.

After you have tried this at the walk, try it at the sitting trot. The advantage of the trot is that it is only a two-beat movement and your seat bones can move forward together at the same moment (that you would have posted forward if you were posting). The disadvantage is that it is a quicker movement so your seat has to "scoop" forward/backward faster.

The canter has a serious scooping action. You might in fact have an easier time using your seat bones in the canter because it has a slower tempo (in general) and so you can follow easier and stay in the movement.

If you find your seat staying in the saddle more regularly, you know you're on the right track.

If you get tired after just a few minutes of riding, you know you're definitely on the right track!

If your horse suddenly snorts and loosens through the back, you can begin to celebrate!

Again, I know it is very difficult to explain a feel, never mind try to teach it in words. I hope this article helps you just a little in the quest for the perfect seat!

Find more about the seat and effective riding here:

https://www.horselistening.com2012/09/15/rarely-considered-often-neglected-lunging-to-develop-the-riding-seat/

https://www.horselistening.com2011/11/15/ways-to-unleash-the-power-of-your-riding-seat/

https://www.horselistening.com2012/07/18/three-ways-to-use-your-seat-in-horseback-riding/

https://www.horselistening.com2013/01/13/how-to-ride-your-excited-horse-in-5-easy-steps/

https://www.horselistening.com2012/10/27/breaking-the-cycle-it-might-not-be-what-you-did-do/

Luvin’ the Reader Love!

In my little world, there is only one thing almost as good as listening to horses - and that is reader love!

Horse Listening has recently been nominated for not only one, but TWO, "Versatile Blogger" awards. This award is nominated by readers (and writers) themselves (which makes it an incredibly meaningful award).

So thanks go out to:

Sparrowgrass, who has been a regular reader for some time now and has made very kind comments in the past. Her blog can be found here.

Kathryn Mattson, writer of the blog, Unbridled Bliss.

Thank you so much for considering my blog to be worthy of notice!

In receiving the Versatile Blogger Award, I must tell you seven things about myself.

1) I love all things riding and writing.

2) I own four horses, all of which have been featured in pictures on the blog.

3) An elementary school teacher in my "real life", I write only in my "spare time".

4) Horses became my LIFEstyle after I bought my first horse at the age of 21. Over the years, I have been a boarder, student, instructor, trainer, breeder, and barn manager. I've competed in competitive trail and endurance events, all sorts of Western and English performance classes, and most recently, Dressage.

5) I still have my first horse, Kayla, who just turned 31 years old and still kicks it around with the young 'uns like there's no tomorrow!

6) I believe in the saying, "The more you know, the more you know you don't know" - particularly where horses are concerned. I continue to get lessons from my own instructor regularly, although not as often as I'd like. I am keen to learn from everyone in all disciplines.

7) I am truly amazed at the response that the blog is receiving.

Although the Versatile Blog rules ask for a list of fifteen blogs that I like to read, I have to disappoint as I regularly read only eight.

1. Goins, Writer: Jeff Goins writes about all things writing, and even more about just life in general.

2. The Write Practice: This is a community of writers and the subject is writing - skills, techniques, styles, even word studies. And yes, I do practice (as in, post some pieces there) but not as often as I should.

3. MindBodyGreen: This site has never-ending posts about everything and anything to do with health: healthy eating, exercise, yoga, meditation, weight loss... you name it. I find myself regularly reading their well-researched topics.

4. Writability: This is a blog written by a Ava Jae, a writer. She explores all sorts of topics related to writing.

5. SnarkyRider: I go here when I want a good laugh about all things horse-related.

6. Becky Hart Horsepro: Becky Hart is a long distance rider heroine of mine. I've known of her for years and was thrilled to find her blogging her endurance riding adventures here.

7. Horse Junkies United: There are a group of writers that post for this blog. They go personally to events and write their impressions for their readers. I regularly enjoy their insights and news from equestrian events around the world.

8. Hay-Net: Although not technically a blog, this is a website FILLED with horsey blogs! I post there and read other people's blogs too.

Thanks again for reading!

If you don't already know, Horse Listening has also been nominated in the Top Ten Best Blog list for the 2012 Equestrian Social Media Awards. If you haven't voted for us already, you still have until February 8th. Please go here and select Horse Listening in Category 17.

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

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Other awards and recognition:

Horse Listening Receives An Award!

Horse Listening Wins An Equestrian Award!

OMG! HL is a 2014 ESMA Finalist!

HL is an ESMA Top Ten Finalist!

Luvin’ the Reader Love!

Why an Active Stretch is Nothing Like a Neck-Down

Stretchy Walk — Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

In the beginning, if I could get the horse to drop his head even just below the withers, I thought I was getting a beginner sort of stretch. I was so pleased that I could influence the horse enough to get him to drop his neck.

Then as time went on, and with my ever-patient instructor at my side, I realized that just getting the horse to drop his neck actually had nothing to do with getting a stretch.

Why not?

Well, that was my burning question after about a month (or more!) of neck-downs and still no real stretch!

The Passive Stretch

In reality, the passive stretch is not really a stretch. It is more of a what I now think of as a "neck-down". The catch is that many people cannot tell the difference between a passive versus an active stretch, and therefore get caught in the passive conundrum without even knowing it.

When you are new to getting your horse to stretch, you don't know what a truly active stretch feels like. Initially, it can even be a little overwhelming to watch the horse as his neck goes down, down, down, seemingly into a never-ending abyss. It can even become a little uncomfortable to feel the imbalance the neck-down may cause, since the horse does in fact fall to the forehand in a passive stretch.

The neck-down comes from the reins. You learn that if you take the contact long enough, the horse will start looking for a release. At one point, the horse will drop his head and you will release. And so - as with anything (right?) - take more contact and the horse will quickly learn to drop his head even lower. Your release at the bottom will reinforce that he did the right thing.

And then your superstar fantastic instructor tells you that you are NOT doing a stretch!

😉

Problems

After many, many more tries, you might start to discover that the problem with the passive stretch is that it is merely a posture. Similar to reaching down for grass, the horse learns to reach down for the pressure release. If the back was hollow before the neck going down, it will still be hollow. If the horse wasn't properly using his hind end, the disengagement will continue and might even become more pronounced.

At the walk, it might not be much of a problem. At the trot, you can begin to really feel the horse leaning to the forehand. If you try a neck-down at the canter, you will really know what imbalance feels like! Beware - the horse may fall to the forehand enough to slip or trip.

The Active Stretch

The active stretch is different in so many ways.

1. It starts from the hind end. The key is that there should be movement. So without initiating impulsion from the hind end, there will be no stretch.

2. The energy travels over the top line, and because of that energy, the horse reaches forward to the bit. If the horse is being truly energetic - from the rear - he will spontaneously want to round, release the tension in the top line, and begin the stretch.

You might feel a surge of energy (I think of it as a mild whip-lash effect) which ends in the horse's desire to reach forward and down. How far he reaches forward and down depends on the depth of your release.

3. Finally, the major difference is that your release of the reins encourages the horse to reach down even more. Therefore, other than the original level of contact, there is no more taking up of rein or tightening or pulling or moving your elbows backward.

During and After the Stretch

The other major difference between the active and passive stretch is level of activity. While the horse is stretching, he is still with you. In the passive stretch, you effectively drop the horse and let go. Then, you must "take up" again (your reins, contact, energy, connection).

In the active stretch, you are still there through the whole movement. You can half-halt through your seat and reins, you can use your leg aids and you can smoothly resume the usual riding outline once the stretch is over.

The reins are not loopy, or completely released.

There is always a light, effective contact between you and your horse, regardless of where the head and neck is.

Begin to Float

You will know when you have found the active stretch. There is simply no comparison to the neck-down. You will feel:

- the horse's energy surge

- the back actually becoming rounder and stronger

- the strides become larger and bolder

- the body loosen up, the horse become enthusiastic and calm at the same time, and just this overall buoyancy that wasn't there with the neck down.

Combine all the above and you will begin to float, equine-style!

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Start from any gait (even a reverse)

Canter (no more than three strides)

Then Trot

Possible Errors

What happens after the canter?

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Setup for a Correct Halt

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Why Would You Bother to “Scoop” Your Seat Bones?

Go Grab Your Dining Room Chair and Learn to Scoop

On Horseback

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The Passive Stretch

Problems

The Active Stretch

During and After the Stretch

Begin to Float

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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