2022 was the year we cantered forward (pun!) into a more mature version of Horse Listening. With 11 years now under my belt, I've changed focus this year to spending more time working on the Practice Sessions and developing it into a robust resource for beginner and intermediate riders. What was once an archive of exercises has now morphed into an online coaching platform much like I do in-person, but virtually!
Nowadays, the Practice Sessions revolve around a monthly theme. I create weekly goals that are short patterns or quality of movement exercises dedicated to the theme. Then much of my writing time is devoted to writing tips that connect with the exercise of the week - including topics such as aids, rider position, theory around the "why" of skills and exercises, and what we're looking for in terms of movement and feel from the horse. 2022 saw us consider basic skills, as well as more difficult, feel-based concepts such as "Feel - And Stepping TO The Bit", "Like A Strung Bow!", Walk/Trot and Trot/Walk Transitions, Lateral Suppleness, Impulsion, and so much more!
Meanwhile, the blog was incredibly well-read with over 1.1 million page views! Our Facebook Page grew by tens of thousands (I can't keep track) and zoomed past 50,000 followers - and we now boast a total of 60,300 subscribers to the blog as of today!
Which brings us to the top 20 most read articles of 2022. Combined, there were over 314,000 page views by just these 20 articles this year. And now, without further adieu, please enjoy the best of the best in 2022!
Well, there you have it! I hope you enjoy browsing through our top articles of the year, and thanks again so much for all your likes, comments, shares and follows.
Wishing you the best New Year's, and lots and lots of Horse Listening in 2023!
Are you a horseaholic - the kind of horse lover that makes horses a lifestyle, not just a hobby?
You know what I mean. First you were the horse lover. Then you became the horse rider. Maybe then you turned into a horse keeper - who then ended up living, breathing, smelling, being (well, especially during shedding season)horses. The official recognition of "horseaholic" requires many achievements beyond just loving horses and thinking they're cute. You have to earn your way into that elite category!
Take a look at the following questions and see how many apply to you!
1. Do you apply almost every concept to something about horses?
It can be anything and everything and doesn't need to have any resemblance to horses - but you'll find a way! Figure skating informs your understanding about core and balance - which of course, you need to be able to ride well. Music must be analyzed to decide if it would match a walk, trot or canter rhythm. "Soft eyes" can help you not only in the riding ring, but out on the road as well, as you change lanes and maneuver between vehicles.
2. Do you notice how so many ladies' tall boots are riding boot imitations?
You find it alternately pleasing and irritating that the new "tall boot" fashion boots look like riding boots. On the one hand, you love the decorative hardware and straight-bottomed heel (in case you ever want to wear that boot to actually ride). On the other hand, it displeases you that almost everybody is wearing some version of your show riding boot - and not riding at all!
3. Does your Facebook page have more horsey pics than human pics?
This is a key indicator of your horseaholic-ness. Take a small unbiased survey of your recent timeline. How many of your posts have something in them about horses or riding? Do you share hilarious horsey memes more often than not? Are your friends and otherwise non-horsey humans relegated to only the odd post and picture?
4. Without thinking about it, do you move people around with the same body language that you use to move horses around?
Hey, it works! It's easy, effective, efficient and best of all, no one knows you're doing it!
5. Do you mistakenly cluck at people (and then look away and pretend the sound came from somewhere else)?
This one can be a bit embarrassing but the real truth is that you don't do it on purpose. It's like your clucking machine just takes over and you've clucked before you even knew you were doing it.
6. Do you have to actually think about not calling "door" when entering... your office?
This one takes quite a bit of effort, especially if you are at a barn that requires you to use your voice at every entrance and exit. Once you get into the swing of it, you might find it very difficult to hold back at any doorway. Which then can lead to interesting and confused glances in your direction.
7. Have you become picky about the amount of "denier" and "fill" you want for your horse's blankets?
You have become quite the expert at identifying quality of horse blanket fabric and you know exactly how much thickness your horse needs for which weather conditions.
8. Do you pre-book tickets to the horsey event of the year - and invariably, max out on the group size limit (so some of your barn friends end up being left out)?
It happens every year but you're bound and determined to get that row of tickets no matter what happens! You'll stay up late or get up early so you can be one of the first to get on that ticket selling website.
9. Can you throw around the terms "aught", "1 degree", "contracted" and "laminae" with the best of them - and actually know what you're talking about?
There's nothing like being a lifelong learner, and knowing all about your horse's feet fits the description perfectly. No hoof, no horse, as they say - and so you learn everything there is about hoof physiology, mechanics and maintenance. Plus you know quite well that your farrier really is your horse's best friend.
10. Do you get irritated when your well-meaning non-horsey friends post a horse pic on your Timeline - the one you already saw months ago and decided NOT to share?
Well, honestly, it's because you've seen them all, as soon as they came out. So if you didn't share it, it wasn't worthy!
So how did it go? Are you a full-on horseaholic, or just a wannabe? What else can you think of that qualifies you for this esteemed horsey position? Comment 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.
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!
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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.
It's Christmas and you'll surely be spending a lot of time with family and friends - who don't necessarily live, breathe and think horses all the time.
Although it might be almost impossible for us to even think of life without horses, let's face it. The majority of the world's population lives without even a remote access to the four-legged animals that we think of as family!
In the case of your own friends and neighbors, you might have to resign yourself to accepting the fact that it's not them - but you - who is the "not like the other" (think Sesame Street)! Luckily, because you spend so much time at the barn, you don't have to notice exactly how different your life has become since you started being around horses.
Don't worry about it though. Even if you feel like there's little to talk about unless it's about horses, there are perfectly good reasons to keep giving people a chance. Here are five reasons to spend time with non-horsey people.
They politely pretend to understand when you talk about your horse.
That's ok. Go on about how cute your horse is when he's dreaming in his sleep.
But be sure to be sensitive to their needs too. After you get your fill by talking about your horse, give your friend a chance to talk about something more interesting to her. Be courteous and genuinely interested in her thoughts, too. Appreciate her for her willingness to accept your long horse stories and still be your friend!
They might be intimidated by horses - but they still join you at the barn.
How can that be possible, right? But it's true. Some people are so fearful of the sheer size of the horse that they stand at the far end of the barn aisle. Just keep smiling and look inviting. After all, they did make the effort to go with you to the barn. Don't make them feel inadequate. Encourage them but let them hang back if they must. A little patience goes a long way in this case. Give your friend some time. She came to the barn at least and didn't go on about the awful horsey smell!
You might be able to get them to do some chores for you.
Get all excited when they suggest that they might want to visit you at the barn. As they become more confident around horses, get them to help you with the barn chores. If you catch them early on, before they see you at it, you'll have a good chance to talk them into a little help. Then add a little more, then even more, and soon enough, they'll be reliable barn slaves workers!
They make excellent show grooms.
Same goes with horse show visits. Be super encouraging when they ask you when you'll be in the ring, and welcome them fervently when you see them at the show grounds! As they get comfortable with the show environment, give them small things to do. Maybe they can bring your brushes along. In no time at all, you can quickly build it up to holding your horse when you need to go to the bathroom, wiping your horse's mouth just before going into the ring, and setting up the hay and water while you untack.
They're nice.
Yeah, people can be nice even if they don't like horses. Of course, it would be better if they were nice AND liked horses too...
I'm having trouble thinking of more reasons (!), but I'm sure there must be some great reasons to spend time with non-horsey people. If you have any to share, add them in the comments below.
Before you go, here's a hilarious video by EventionTV showing you precisely the difference between horse people and regular people. Just be sure to not show it to the regular people - they might not find it funny at all!
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
Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!
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.
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.
Good Day For A Little Horseplay:Snort, snort, snort, SNORT! My gelding couldn’t tell me in any clearer terms how much he was enjoying the moment.
Softly Determined – A Poem: I found this one on the Internet long ago, with no indication of the author. However, it has stayed with me, blending intensity with passion, being so eloquent and yet knowledgeable about the “path”.
Horse and rider stroll into the arena, all set to get started on their ride. You can see it from the moment they enter: the rider is walking nonchalantly to the mounting block. Her horse is even less inspired. He ambles along five steps behind her and seemingly requires coaxing, begging - maybe intimidation - to finally set up close enough to the mounting block for the rider to mount.
Once mounted, the "feel" of the ride doesn't improve. The horse continues in his lackadaisical manner. The rider is busy doing everything but riding. She adjusts her clothes, fiddles with the reins, chats with other riders or checks out the car that happens to drive by at that moment.
The one thing missing is the enthusiasm and playfulness that characterizes a useful, productive and enjoyable beginning to a ride.
****
I have to admit it - the scene above is an exaggeration. But it makes the point: we often get into a warm-up riding rut that becomes uninspiring and tediously routine. Rather than developing an essential first connection with the horse, the opposite happens. Although the rider is right there on top of the horse, there is so little going on between her and your equine partner that they might as well pack it in before they even begin!
Here are five ideas that you can use to amp up your warm up!
*Remember to play everything by ear; if your horse needs a more gradual warm-up, start slower and then build up to the canter well into the middle of the ride. Also, give plenty of walk time right at the beginning.
1. Go for a warm-up trail ride.
Heading off for even a casual walk on the trails warms up the horse's mind and body in a way that the ring riding never can. Have a bit of fun for the first 15 to 25 minutes roaming the fields and woods, smelling the fresh air and jazzing up the horse's body. Move into a trot and maybe even a canter when the time is right, and even start playing with some of the ring exercises right out there on the trails.
Your horse will almost certainly re-enter the riding ring with a better mental attitude. Add energy to enthusiasm and you will find a calmer, softer, more limber horse ready for the following studying session.
2. Go for a canter.
Although it seems counter-intuitive, hopping off into a canter even at the get-go will give your horse more "go-go" right off the bat. You don't have to canter for long; just transition and take a few strides before heading off into a correct, ground-covering trot.
Sometimes, the horse feels tense and tight and a little over-exuberant at the beginning of a ride. A short canter helps let him know he can move when he wants to, and often reassures him in a way that stifling the energy just won't be able to.
Alternately, the sluggish horse benefits from a quick get-yer-blood-going stimulation. Just get into the canter and then evaluate. You might want to back off into a trot and let him breathe and snort. Or you might get more benefit from a longer canter series until the horse loosens up and moves more willingly.
3. Use ground poles and get creative.
One way to change the routine while warming up in the ring is to walk/trot/canter through randomly or purposely positioned ground poles. Teach the horse to pay attention to where his feet are going and provide some mental challenge as he learns to negotiate space, striding and timing. Once the horse feels fairly secure, throw in transitions coming into or out of the poles. Circle away from the pole and return back on a different angle. Go over the poles on a diagonal line. Halt coming to a pole. Canter away from a pole. Decide on a short pattern and take your horse through it several times.
4. Have some cavaletti fun.
Pull out the cavaletti if you have some (or use jump cups to lift jump poles off the ground) and get the horse to elevate his legs. Raise them to the higher height for little mini-jumps or leave them lower so the horse can go over with just a leg-lift. In both cases, a series of cavaletti can serve as a quick wake-me-up and blood circulating exercise.
5. Play from the ground.
You don't have to ride a horse during the warm-up. Playing with the horse from the ground might be just the exercise your horse wants! Alternate with either a free-lunging session or be more structured with some in-hand work. Although there most certainly is an art to groundwork, and you will notice dramatic development as your skills and ability to communicate improve, there is no harm in some trial and error.
In each of these scenarios, you will notice that your horse warms up mentally and physically toward a more focused, supple and responsive workout. Set up a more productive ride by changing things up, looking forward to new challenges, and stepping out of the round-and-round ring routine that so often becomes our pattern. Add a little creativity to the beginning of your ride and see what your horse has to say about it!
What do you do to amp up your warm-up? Let us know 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 new 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 moreand to be among the first to benefit from our Introductory pricing! Limited time only!
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!
Click to learn more.
Horse Listening – Book 2: Forward and Round to Training Success: a beautiful paperback with all the excellence of the blog - in your hands!
I was just like one of those kids at the back of the class when the teacher calls on her to answer a question:
"Who? ME??"
Yes, folks, he really meant me!
Have you heard of the radio show? I have been a fan of the Dressage Radio Show from back in the days when Heather Blitz would give us training updates about her riding sessions with a young, 6-year-old horse named Paragon that she simply adored.
Since then, I've listened to other shows of the Horse Radio Network such as Stable Scoop and Horse Tips Daily and enjoy listening to the hosts and learning from the guests.
You can even download the shows and take them with you to listen to on your daily commutes - I've done that many a time and there is no better way to feel connected to the horse world and get weekly updates.
So yes, it was l'il ol' me that he wanted to have on the show.
I'm so thrilled and honored - especially after I discovered that my segment is placed in between two very esteemed guests: Dr. Chris Newton, who speaks about dressage injuries, and Sue Kolstad, a senior judge who gives tips on what to do a if you miss the center line (who hasn't done that??).
Just click on over to Episode #209 and check out the whole conversation. I'm somewhere in the middle!
Hoping you'll like what you hear.
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
Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book:Stepping Forward to Effective Riding
Without forward, there is no half-halt but without half-halt, there is no forward. (Click to tweet this if you agree.)
Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography
Let me explain.
Has it ever happened to you that after you kicked (or preferably, didn't kick but used more seat/leg for energy), the horse flew out from under you, running faster and faster until he fell to the forehand and perhaps had to scramble his way back to balance?
Or conversely...
Has it ever happened that you went to half-halt (or check) and the horse braced his neck against your pressure, slowed the rhythm and reduced energy until you thought you were stuck in quicksand?
In both cases, there is one aid given to the horse but the other is missing. And there seems to be no other way: if you want to control energy, you have to have energy in the first place. If there is no energy, there is no controlling.
What to do?
We have to learn the coordination between "go and no" - all the while, keeping our balance to give the appropriate aids while not pulling on the reins.
Try this:
Teach your horse to kick (not literally!) into gear when you use a light leg and encouraging seat (that floats right into the movement that your horse offers). Then, before it's too late and he loses balance completely, use a restricting seat, contact with your (probably outside) rein, and a little leg to help the horse's hind end to come underneath his body.
See if he steps deeper underneath his body, rounds more, becomes bouncier, and breathes deeper (or gives you a well-earned snort). Look for more swing in his stride, more reach through his shoulders, and a lighter contact pressure on the reins.
The rhythm should be unaffected. A half-haltis a re-balance; it isn't a "putter down into the slower gait little by little and let the energy peter out." Therefore, the idea isn't to interfere with the horse's gait and tempo. Instead, your aim is to celebrate the energy your horse gives you and redirect it not only straight forward, but also a little upward, so the overall balance tilts a little to the hind end.
Keep your balance.
Encourage more energy.
Keep the tempo the same (not faster or slower).
Get the "go", then get the "no".
And let us know how it works out in the comment section below.
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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
Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book:Stepping Forward to Effective Riding
6 Ways to Unleash the Power of Your Riding Seat: As you become more subtle in the aiding process, you will begin to discover just how powerful the seat can be in guiding the horse without disturbing and interfering in his movement.
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.
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?
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the new 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.
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It's Christmas and you'll surely be spending a lot of time with family and friends - who don't necessarily live, breathe and think horses all the time.
