Riding toward the ultimate release - this is the stuff riders dream of.
There is more to movement than just movement!
Not the release of the aids - that is a given requirement during all facets of the ride. We ought to regularly create moments of praise/encouragement to the horse during movement through a variety of types of release. We can reward the horse by small gives of the reins, softening the lower back through a movement, lightening of the leg aids or even just harmonizing through the entire body with the horse's motion.
But there is more to the overall scheme of riding than just the take and release that is required to communicate with the horse.
As you develop in riding, you will come to realize that there is more behind any movement than just the movement itself.
For example, developing a true leg yield can be a task in itself at the beginning. The horse is asked to not only travel straight ahead with a good reach from the hind legs, but then is required to cross the legs over each other while travelling somewhat sideways (but not completely sideways) with that same clear hind end stride. THEN the body must also stay straight - the shoulders cannot lead excessively nor can the hind end.
When we have all these things fall together at the same time, the feeling can be close to euphoric (for both the horse and rider).
However, if we practice leg yields on a regular basis, maintaining the basic correct technique throughout, one day we will be rewarded with a release from the horse.
This release is not the one where the horse lightens his pull on your aids, or leans less (although both are by-products). That type of release may happen on a fairly regular basis just through moments of obedience from the horse.
The release I'm talking about is the one where the horse lets go in his body. The best words that describe it are probably "looseness" and "swing". In effect, the horse releases his tightness within his body (not just the legs). We feel this sudden buoyancy that makes us feel like you are bouncing on a trampoline.
The strides seem to take longer, reach higher and farther. The bounce in the movement (whichever gait) amplifies, possibly making it more difficult for us to sit through if we are somewhat stiff through our body and joints. The movement becomes fluid, expressive, easy.
This is when we get into the "quality of the gait" of the horse. It's not just about the figure at hand; it's about how the horse moves during that figure!
Usually, the horse gives a good snort at this moment, confidently moving forward with enthusiasm but also in balance. Often, we will discover soft, even perhaps floppy ears as the horse finds his "happy place".
As the human partners, we revel in this feel that the horse so generously shares with us. The release of the movement of the horse INSIDE his body gives us a sense of freedom and floating against gravity.
And this is the pinnacle of riding that brings us back time and again.
How do you describe the feel of the horse's "let go" in a movement?
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.
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.
Buy Horse Listening – The Book: Stepping Forward to Effective Riding
Got a horseback riding problem? Here are 23 ways to solve the problem.
Admit it - you've tried at least a handful of these in your time! (So have I... trust me, I have the T-shirt for many of these "solutions"!)
I'm also quite sure you can think of many other ways to solve the problem.
The message here is not that you shouldn't try some of the strategies above. Of course we should make sure that the equipment fits the horse and there is no underlying physical problem.
We should know if our horse prefers one bit over another. Without a doubt, you might need the help of a friend or a professional throughout the course of your ownership of the horse.
But in the midst of fiddling with the small things, we end up missing out on the bigger picture:
changing ourselves.
The unfortunate part of having to develop our skills is that it takes time. The learning process is slow, strewn with mistakes and less-than-perfects, and at times, even discouraging.
In order to make a true change, we have to dig deep and change our very way of interacting with the horse.
This is not the stuff that happens in a day or two. Forget instant gratification and prepare to stay for the long haul.
We have to persevere, make mistakes, try something new. We must step out of our comfort zones and use new muscles - physically and mentally.
Aside from the physical discomfort, we have to develop our internal characteristics. We learn to let things go and to forgive both our horse and ourselves. We become more humble, less demanding and more persistent. We learn all about developmental stages, both within ourselves as well as our horses.
And perhaps most importantly, we discover what it feels like to stay the course and really struggle with something difficult, seeing our way through the problems to finally finding the solutions.
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.
Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – The Book:Stepping Forward to Effective Riding
Personally signed books available! Give the best gift for the horse lover in your life (or for yourself! ). Send me a message for more information.
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!
Horses often have trouble working forward from their hind end. When they do move with impulsion, you can see their effort by the length of stride they show in the hind legs, demonstrating how "forward" the horse is moving. In pictures, we are looking for the upside-down "V" that their legs show. The two hind legs make one V while the front legs make another V. Ideally, if the hind end is active and strong, both V's should show the same distance between them.
Upside-down "V"s match
Below, find a few more examples. If you have an image you would like to share, upload it to a photo site, and then link to site in the comments below. Try to find photos that show equal distance between hind legs and front legs. Remember that at Horse Listening, all types of riding and disciplines are welcomed.
Muddy day but trucking along from the hind end!
It's even more important to use the hind end going downhill.
All horses can learn to use their hind ends!
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.
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
Horse Listening Book Collection - beautiful paperbacks with all the excellence of the blog - in your hands! Click on the image for more information.
The list of artificial aids can be endless. Just when you think you know it all, you discover that there are new and improved "must-buy" pieces of equipment that will change the way you ride. Or will they really?
You are left wondering - which should I be using? And when do I know what I need?
The trick to using any equipment is to know why and how you should use them.
Buyer beware...
... no equipment can change your riding skills. The first two or three rides might be different as your horse adjusts to the new equipment, but in the end, your skills (or lack thereof) will shine through no matter what you do.
Don't be surprised if your horse goes back to the same ol' habits a few rides in - because if your own equitation has not changed, you will produce exactly the same results with or without the help of artificial aids.
Your horse will change for the better only after you change for the better. (Click here to tweet that if you agree.)
On the other hand, do not be afraid of artificial aids.
Many people shun the whole concept of using certain types of equipment. You can find camps of people based on the equipment they feel is acceptable or not.
Know that everything has a purpose. Often, equipment that is perceived as being harsher can in fact act in a much kinder and gentler way than initially understood.
For example, most people agree that a thicker bit is essentially "softer" than a thinner bit. The thin bit has a smaller surface area and therefore puts more pressure on the bars or tongue than a thick bit.
This may be true for many horses, until you meet a horse with a tiny, delicate mouth and small muzzle. Then the thick bit is entirely too large for the small mouth, and in fact causes discomfort by its sheer size. Put in the thinner bit and watch as the horse almost sighs with relief to have the seemingly harsher bit, simply because it fits his conformation better.
Another example: a bitless bridle sounds like it is kinder on the horse than one with a bit until you consider the nose, jaw, cheek and poll pressure action activated by use of the reins. Some horses might respond willingly to that type of squeezing while others would find it intolerable when compared to a bit in the mouth.
There are similar examples for any equipment you can think of. What seems harsh for one horse is what another horse really needs and does well in.
Why should equipment be used?
If your answer is to make the riding process easier on the horse, then you are on the right track.
If the equipment makes the ride safer for you, it can be used. Safety is always number one.
If the horse is young or being retrained by an experienced rider, the use of equipment can be very handy in teaching the horse what is expected quickly and efficiently. In the right hands, equipment can bring clarity to a situation. It can reduce fuss and confusion and point the horse in the right direction.
If you can be lighter and clearer with your aids, then that is the true purpose of equipment.
When not to use equipment
Simply put, equipment should not be intended to hurt/punish/intimidate/force a horse into obedience.
It should not be used to cover up rider inadequacies. Sometimes, it is much more beneficial to struggle through the learning process without specialized equipment in order to achieve better riding skills.
In the end, how the equipment is used is more important that what is used.
As always, the hands and other aids at the end of the equipment are what really differentiate it from being kind and purposeful or harsh and intimidating. Experienced riders can make a delicate instrument out of the seemingly harshest equipment.
Where do you begin?
In general, if you have complete control over your own natural aids (leg aids, seat, hands, weight), you are adequately prepared to introduce new equipment into your program. In contrast, if you still have trouble with your aids, any equipment will multiply the severity of your messages.
The horse's needs will be another factor in determining the use of equipment. Depending on your point of development as a rider, some equipment may help the horse develop muscling quicker and easier than you can with your natural aids. Specialized equipment may make your messages softer and clearer so there is less guess work required by the horse. In all cases, if your horse goes better in the equipment and seems happier, you know you are on the right track.
When you begin using unfamiliar equipment, be sure to have educated, watchful eyes mentoring you through the process so you can learn correctly from the beginning. Your instructor will be able to help you decide if it is time for you to learn how to use new equipment.
Be prepared to have to learn to use the new equipment in the same way that you have learned to use your own natural aids. There may be discomfort and confusion at the beginning while you learn to manipulate the equipment and use it to communicate to the horse. It may take the horse some time to adjust. Through it all, work patiently and with clear regard for the horse. Listen closely to the feedback you receive and make your decisions accordingly.
The bottom line(s)...
... watch and learn from more experienced riders - how and why do they use their equipment and what does it do for the horse?
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
When Do You Start Riding Your Horse? This question was being posed to me by a very respected and horse-wise mentor one day long ago, early in my riding development.
At Horse Listening, we are emphatic life-long learners of all things horsey. You will be reminded time and again about how there is so much to be learned from horses and other horse people, if only we listened.
This guest post is by Hayley and Rebecca from Anything Equine, an equestrian clothing store that provides helpful advice and tips to beginner riders. Their years of experience have helped them gain lots of knowledge about equestrian health conditions and pasture management.
Which Pasture Plants are Dangerous for Horses?
Good pasture management means staying on top of things so your animals stay healthy. Check for anything that might be hazardous to your animals: holes, stray bits of metal and broken fences. Rotate pasture land to keep areas from being over-grazed.
If possible use self-filling troughs to maintain a fresh water supply. Provide some form of shelter for your animals to get out of hot sun or foul weather. Alternating mineral lick placement and feed areas will lessen the risk of muddy areas.
There are as many as 120 plants that are poisonous to livestock and domestic animals. Some can cause liver or neurological damage and many are life threatening so be on the look-out for them. These plants need to be dug out of the ground, not cut or sprayed.
* Click on images for a better view.
Autumn Crocus or Meadow Saffron
Autumn Crocus
The leaves appear in spring and the flowers in late summer or early fall. The flower looks like its name, a crocus. Usually shades of purple or pink, it may be found in others colours. All of the plant is poisonous. Look for this plant in damp areas.
Bracken
Bracken
An invasive fern that grows on moorlands and all parts of the plant are toxic but the roots are many times more poisonous than the fronds.
Bittersweet Woody Nightshade
The purple flowers of this plant will give way to green berries that will turn red in early autumn. This plant has a woody stalk but may twine around other plants. Found in hedgerows and woodlands, the berries of this plant are toxic.
Black Bryony
Black Bryony
Found in hedges and woodlands, this vine will twist itself around anything. Look for heart shaped leaves and red berries in autumn. The entire plant is toxic but the berries and roots contain the most poisons. Check any hedges for this plant.
Buttercups
Buttercups
This invasive flowering plant will bloom in spring and early summer and can thrive in dry conditions. The plant is an irritant and animals will generally stop eating it because of the irritation but check with your vet if you think livestock may have eaten it. Once the plant is dry it becomes harmless so it causes no problems if it’s in hay.
Cowbane or Water Hemlock
Cowbane
You will find this plant thriving along stream-banks and other wet areas. It resembles the caraway plant but gives off a noxious odour and is highly toxic to all living things.
Horsetail
Horsetail
Animals rarely eat this plant unless it’s in contaminated hay or silage. This plant, found in fields and along roadsides resembles a horse's tail and is hard to kill because of its long taproot.
Milkweed
Milkweed
Five pink flowers with petals and fuzzy stems are identifying features of this plant. It will grow in dry conditions and in any soil.
Ragwort
The daisy-like flowers make this plant easy to identify. There are four species of ragwort, all equally poisonous. All parts of the plant are toxic even when dried.
RagwortSt Johns Wort
St Johns Wort
Star shaped yellow flowers help to identify this plant that grows in open woods and grasslands. It loses some toxicity when dried but is still harmful so watch for it in hay.
Yew tree
All parts of the tree are poisonous and a mouthful can be fatal. Fence off any yew trees or cut them down.
Yew Tree
Poisonous plants can be assumed to be toxic to all animals and humans. Wear gloves when removing plants from fields and get the entire root. Dispose of the offending plant by burning or tying tightly in a plastic bag to prevent seeds from escaping. Well-meaning neighbors may throw clippings over the pasture fence so check these before your animals get to them.
This is only a small sampling of plants that are dangerous to animals. An illustrated guidebook will help to identify toxic plants in your pasture.
*All images are from flikr, under a Creative Commons license.
*********
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
Little Known Qualities of Great Farriers, by K. Arbuckle, professional farrier: The farrier, though required to scientifically balance and shoe a horse, is an artist working with a living canvas.
Scoring the Hunter Round, by L. Kelland-May, senior judge: Have you always wondered how the hunter class is judged? Read it here straight from the judge’s perspective!
Enjoys Being Brushed! by SnarkyRider: Read this hilarious take on a sales ad from craig’slist.
Lights out - and you are standing in the center. You cannot see a thing. Your outstretched arms indicate that there is space in front of you. Although you can walk around and grope into the space ahead of you, the darkness prevents you from knowing which way you turn.
During my most intense schooling period, learning to ride was just like being in the Dark Room. There I was, in a bubble of "darkness", which represented the new riding skill I was trying to find. All I could do was grope around, trying to discover the elusive "feel" that I somehow knew was there.
Luckily, as horseback riders, we have instructors guiding us, showing us, describing feel, and giving feedback. So in that Dark Room of Learning to Ride, I did have my instructor pointing me (sometimes literally!) in the right direction.
I remember the first time I found my first "feel".
It was like reaching ahead in the darkness, and discovering a door in front of me. The initial incident was like I'd opened the door and taken a peek inside. The lights were on! I could see!
And then I stepped back abruptly into the darkness. Finding that feel the second time was once again an elusive undertaking. Admittedly, this time, it was easier to find the door. Instead of turning around myself in unknowing circles, I had a better idea of which way to step, and soon enough, there was the door and then the room with the lights on.
And so this was my progress through the learning process of riding. As I learned which way to move, I was able to achieve a feel sooner and easier and one day, with efficiency.
There were more doors to discover!
Then came the second door/skill, the third, the fourth. I realized that there were so many doors - unlimited actually - that I could source out. Interestingly, listening to different instructors opened other doors. As the years progressed, opening the old doors became a simple task, while finding new doors was just as challenging as finding that first so long ago.
Then came the day that I discovered doors behind the doors! Yup, that's right. I'd discovered the layers of learning that resided beyond the initial stages of each skill.
Every movement you learn as a horseback rider has infinite levels of understanding and ability.
As you become proficient at one skill, you realize that there is ever more to develop. The skills interweave and intermingle. Becoming better in one area suddenly translates into improvement in other areas. Unbeknownst to you, your sitting trot improved while you were working on hind end engagement!
And so it goes. You learn, you realize what you don't know, and you learn some more. The path is long and wide and ever developing.
And THIS is what makes horseback riding such a strong parallel to living itself!
Do you have a similar story about the learning process in riding?
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.
I could see their shimmering coats far away in the distance. The green field and the blazing sun gave them an ethereal appearance, glossy sheen blending in with the vivid colours of nature. The two horses lazily munched left and right in tandem, dancing to an unheard life rhythm, the sun glistening over their backs as they moved.
My eyes took in their powerful, muscled bodies which revealed their health and vitality. I wanted to reach out and feel the silky smooth coats of the horses, running my hands over the rises and falls over their backs. The smell of the foliage and trees overwhelmed my senses, sending my mind reeling with nature's own aromatherapy.
This moment of beauty burned deep into my psyche, contrasting sharply with the tension and anxiety I was harboring deep within. It washed out all negativity and beckoned me to release my life's woes even just briefly. Unknowing, the horses kept munching away, oblivious to my must-dos and must-haves, responsibilities and resentments. The simplicity of this life was a welcome alternate to the other reality. If only I could take lessons learned from here and transpose them there.
A deep sigh escaped my lips. Knowing I had barn chores left to complete, I tore my eyes away from the scene and grabbed for the wheelbarrow handles.
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.
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.
From Training Strategies For Dressage Riders by Charles deKunffy (1994), p. 95-96
"Because it is based on communication between two living organisms, riding must include not only the rider's 'talking' but even more his 'listening'. A rider's awareness of his horse's mental and physical state, indeed, should determine what and how much he asks of his mount. Therefore, the truly talented riders are recognized as having 'feel,' which depends on the talent for being a living antenna that picks up all communications the horse sends....
A rider should always be fully aware of the horse's well-being and his horse's communications. He must also react to them with knowledge and insight. Knowledge comes by practicing riding, coaching, reading, watching, and discussing. More important, however, is the insight and wisdom gained by empathy toward the horse.... The rider ought to train himself to think the way his horse does."
In case you're wondering, Horse Listening did not model its name or idea from Charles' quote - nothing could be farther from the truth (see our original first post to discover the inspiration for "listening" to horses)! Finding this section from a book of over 200 pages was just another one of those "coincidences" that occur from time to time when everything seems to fall together. In any case, as important as the topic of the post (being an empathic rider) is the fact the the concept of "listening" to horses had already been elaborated upon in 1984, almost 30 years prior to the conception of the Horse Listening blog. So... here we are, reinventing the wheel, although I daresay that it is an important concept to revisit.
From: Balance in Movement: How to Achieve the Perfect Seat by Suzanne Von Dietze (2003), p. 174
"There is really no such thing as the perfect rider or, for that matter, the perfect horse. If we want to make progress, it is of great importance to recognize where some difficulties arise and why. Some problems are not immediately recognizable, but they are a serious nuisance whenever more subtle influence is required. Thus, riders can learn to master the three basic gaits even in the chair seat, but they will never be able to develop quick and sensitive reactions for further influencing the horse because they are always behind the movement....
Riding is a game of balance between the horse and rider. Two living beings should, ideally, find such a degree of common balance that it appears to an observer that they have grown together as one unit. The majestic rider sitting quietly on a horse represents the ideal aesthetic picture of riding. Any layman would be able to recognize a good rider by his calmness. As soon as the rider's influence becomes too obvious, a sense of agitation is created which is visually distracting. The sensitive balance of a horse and rider is endangered."
It is well known that good riding can be easily distinguished by its effortless appearance - in fact, the good ride can be identified by its lack of "excitement" - in the sense that the horse appears to be calm, at ease and confident in what it is being asked to do. A good rider is the one who maintains poise and has the tendency to give the horse the benefit of the doubt. Developing a strong and balanced seat is a prerequisite to being able to influence the horse in a way that enables the horse to perform at its highest potential.
______________________________________________
From: The Complete Training of Horse and Rider In the Principles of Classical Horsemanship, by Alois Podhajsky (1967), p. 211
"The best way to obtain the correct seat, especially for a dressage rider, is longeing without stirrups. During this work, the rider need not pay attention to guiding his horse but can concentrate on controlling his own movements in the various paces. This is the quickest way to achieve the necessary independent seat, if the legs and reins are to be employed as aids and not as a means to regain lost balance. Absolute self-control is the basic requirement for every rider. He must not only be able to control his body but also his temperament. Only then will he be able to make the other creature submit to his will and develop his natural abilities. "
A discussion about riding simply cannot be complete without the mention of lunging to develop the seat and balance. Although it is true that in our time and place - with horses becoming more of a recreational pursuit than a form of expression and art - there is an emphasis on "instant gratification" and achieving (perceived) results sooner than later. Riders new to horses want to get on and "ride", get to a show and win ribbons, and resolve riding problems quickly and with little preparation or background.
However, in this short quote, Podhajsky tackled the two most critical components to becoming an effective rider - first, balance and body control, and second, the social/emotional awareness necessary to bring out the best from the horse.
Although the world around the horse has changed over the years, the horse itself remains essentially the same, and therefore the requirements of riding are essentially unchanged. A rider must be prepared to work hard to acquire the necessary skill, and most importantly, be willing to wait for results.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
