rider development – Page 3

24 Reasons Why Horsin’ Around Makes Us Better Human Beings

Horse Listening horsin' around — Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

I often write about how being around horses changes a person. In many ways, there is no chance that a person who is involved in horses - whether as a rider, or barn owner or manager, instructor, volunteer, or someone who helps with the chores - can stay the same as they were pre-horses. While there's likely plenty of physical improvement, there's the even more important aspect of development of character.

Well, it makes sense when you think about it.

First off, there's the being-out-in-the-country factor. For many of us who live in suburbs or cities, being outside "for real" puts us in a much different position than we're used to. The sheer space and conditions create an environment that is rarely experienced these days by most people. Quite opposite to the hustle and bustle of our city lives, being at a farm makes us do things differently.

Time slows down. Pace slows down. Even while we have to actually perform tasks (that won't get done otherwise), the physical aspect requires us to focus on one thing at a time, prioritize tasks, find the most efficient way to do things and to "live in the moment."

Then there's the horses.

They teach us so many "soft" skills like empathy, responsibility, leadership, compassion, determination and organization. That doesn't even include riding-specific skills.

So why does horsin' around make us into better human beings? Here are 24 ways.

1. Work hard: Whether we're carrying water buckets or cleaning out stall after stall, we're in it to get 'er done, no matter what it takes!
2. Ready to pitch in when needed: We learn quickly that many hands make light work.
3. Compassion - for people too: (As in, not only for the animals. We become "tuned in" to others, period.)
4. Clean without complaint: Well, maybe just a little complaint. But we realize that if we don't do the cleaning, the mess will build up quickly and not go away on its own!
5. Walk briskly and far: Walking is the major way to get around farms and so you learn to go - fast!
6. Not afraid to get dirty: We get right into the mess of things and clean up later.
7. Keep doing despite the weather: Like turning horses in just as the huge downpour begins, or taking the wheelbarrow to the muck pile after a white-out blizzard covers the path.
8. Put others' needs first: The horses always get taken care of first because they rely on us for almost everything.
9. Stubborn: In a good way, we try, try again in order to learn the new skill.
10. Make decisions - even the hard ones: As the person responsible for the horse, it's our duty to keep our selfish needs to the side and do what's best for the horse.
11. Have fun! Stay a while in any barn and hear the laughter echo through the rafters (literally).
12. Alone time: Except we're not really alone. We relish our quiet time listening to the munching of hay and occasional snorts of our equine friends.
13. Enjoy being with others: Even the most introverted of us becomes more outgoing and social simply by virtue of the shared passion we have for horses.
14. Stick to it when the going gets tough: We learn that almost any problem can be overcome with perseverance and a little bit of creativity.
15. Willing to "perform" in front of others: There's no way around it. You watch others ride and others watch you ride.
16. Step out of own comfort zone regularly: We become more willing to do try new things and grow - whether in the saddle or on the ground.
17. Share information and knowledge with others: We pool together all of experiences and research especially when there's a horse in need.
18. Finish tasks: Because the chore won't get done otherwise.
19. Take initiative: Our leadership skills flourish in a barn setting.
20. Lift heavy objects: We build our strength and we aren't shy to use it (water bucket, anyone)?
21. Can be counted on to pitch in or complete tasks: Because that's just the way things get done in a barn.
22. Communicate clearly: We use white boards, lists, text messages, memos, and old fashioned "face time" to make sure we're on track and the horses are taken care of in a consistent manner.
23. Self-starters: We will find the things that need to be done and do them on our own.
24. Life-long learners: Because we need more than one lifetime to learn everything we need to know about riding and horses.

When you take a look at those 24 characteristic traits, it's pretty easy to realize that little by little, day by day, being out in that barn and interacting with those horses adds a huge dimension to our way of being in the world. How have your horses made you into a better human being?

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

From Horse Listening, The Book:

"There are many reasons why we enjoy riding horses. Maybe one of the most appealing facets of riding is the sense of freedom: freedom from our own limitations, freedom from gravity, freedom to (literally) roam the Earth. Time stands still while we have the privilege of feeling movement from the back of our four-legged friend.

Riding gives us the place to just be.

Of course, there are other purposes too. Some of us revel in the challenge of learning the skills required to becoming a good team member of this unlikely duo. Riding is like no other sport or recreational pursuit simply because of the equine partner that must not only carry us, but also do so effortlessly and gracefully. As we develop our specific skill sets, we also grow as human beings in character, emotional maturity and mental acuity.

But there is one other motivation that drives some of us to persevere in the never-ending learning process that is horseback riding: improving the horse. As your own skills develop, you begin to realize that not only can you meet your own needs through riding, but also that you can even become an instrument of benefit for the horse."

And so begins the book that reflects the most important learning I have had in all of my riding years: that I want to be the best rider I can be for the sake of my horses.

This book is geared toward the rider:

- the rider's motivations

- the essential skills for the rider

- some specific strategies

- solutions to common problems

- and the results: the great horsey moments we get to experience

Along the way, you will find chapters that discuss everything from the seat to the leg aids to the reins, discussions on half-halts, imbalance, halts, straightness and more!

Special in this book are the "In The Ring" sections that give specific suggestions based on the preceding chapters. Take these to the barn to try with your own horse!

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Riding Should Be Fun.. Right?

Absolutely.

If there isn't any fun, what is there, really?

The only thing you have to keep in mind is how you define fun at different points in your riding career. Just like anything worth doing, there are going to be moments when you think you're having anything but fun! Maybe there's no show or trail ride to look forward to. Maybe things don't go right just when everyone is watching. Maybe the skill you're trying to learn remains ever elusive.

Those are the times when you need to bring out the most dedicated, persevering, stubborn part of you that you can. Though you might be struggling beyond your limitations, maybe even hating what is happening between you and your horse, you must hold on to the knowledge (not just hope) that if you can figure out what you need to change in your skills, you and especially your horse will benefit in the long run.

I imagine that most of us have gone through a very difficult period in our riding careers at some points. Maybe we were going through a situation that pushed us beyond our safety comfort zone. Maybe we were trying to learn a new skill that just wasn't doing anything good, and in fact, making the horse struggle even more. It happens.

During those times, there are three things you could do.

Get an educated eye on the ground.

You knew I was going to say this first, didn't you?

I mean, there is no replacement for a great instructor who can be there with you as you go through the challenges, and give you on-the-spot strategies. In horseback riding, there is a horse and a rider, both of whom have different strengths and weaknesses. Every situation is unique. An instructor will have the experience and techniques in her "tool box" to help you chisel away at what not to do, and what to do instead.

Change what you are doing.

Sometimes, it is enough to just change the topic for a while. Do something else and then come back to the challenge later in the ride. Or scrap it altogether and come back to it in future rides. You might choose to head for the hills (literally, if you have hills) and forget about the ring for a ride or two. You could play with your troublesome skill out in the fields where there is room and invariably, more energy and enthusiasm.

In any case, don't feel like you have to skill and drill and make it unbearable. Get creative, find a way to play, and come back to it from a different perspective. While you should probably not ignore the problem, it can be helpful to step away from it for a time and come back to it later.

Kick it into high gear.

If all else fails, it may be time for you to put even more effort in than you have to date. Sometimes, the only way you can make the required change will be to just commit to the task until you make the required breakthrough.

I'm not saying you need to become harsh in your riding. Quite the opposite. The most difficult skills might require you to be extremely subtle and in control of your own body.

But commitment is key. For example, while I was in my beginning stages of learning to use my seat, I had to put much more effort into activating through the lower back and seat bones than I'd ever done before. I remember the amount of effort it took. I spent months working on feeling, activating and controlling my seat in the various gaits. I made mistakes and more mistakes, ever so slowly finding what worked and what I shouldn't do. It was not an easy task for me at the time and I had to really hunker down and commit to the new muscle memory acquisition.

But it was so worth it.

Where's the fun?

Well, the skill acquisition is the fun, isn't it? There is no better feeling than realizing that you've passed a developmental level that will forever allow you to be better equipped to address a particular riding problem because you know how.

Your horse moving better is the fun, right? There is no better feeling than being a partner to a freely moving, energetic horse that is balanced and active and powerful all at the same time.

Your horse feeling better is the fun too. There is nothing better than knowing you can be the kind of rider that allows the horse to feel good in his work.

Because there is no better reward than discovering that the changes you've made to your skills positively affect your horse - mentally, physically and emotionally.

Because it's fun to be the best rider we can be, for our horse's sake.

And THAT is the most fun part of all.

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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.

Click here for more information.

Read more here:

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

17 Wise Reflections - Straight From The Horse's Mouth! My horse, Annahi, is full of words of wisdom for those horses around her who are willing to listen.

20 Ways Horse Riding Becomes Life Itself: You could say that horses are our teachers. Not only do we grow in terms of physical ability, but perhaps even more so, we grow in character.

What Responsible Horse Ownership Really Means: We need to keep in mind that horses are prey animals and long-time domesticated livestock. If we listen well enough, we discover that what we think of as giving might not be what the horses truly need.

5 Life Lessons From Horses: How can horses help us grow and develop in our own lives?

The “Iceberg Result” In Horse Riding: 5 Factors

Only 10% of the iceberg is above the water. 90% of its mass lies below the water line, and it is this large mass that is affected most by the ocean currents. It's the bottom part that is the foundation of the iceberg.

Looks like horse riding is a lot like an iceberg.

We see the tip - but we fail to recognize the path that horse and rider had to take to get there (even if that final tip isn't world class level or picture perfect - whatever that means).

Let's take an example.

You see:

the horse and rider flow smoothly from one movement to the other.

What make a ride look effortless?

There are five factors that go into creating that harmonious ride. You'll notice that these components are the fundamentals of riding in general - but really, this is precisely why we're always working to improve the primary skills, even at the higher levels.

1. Consistent Balance

Both horse and rider are able to maintain balance through turns, transitions and changes of pace. This means that the rider doesn't tip forward through transitions, fall backward against the horse, or lean into turns. She stays tall and toned and moves right along with the horse.

The horse is the same: no tipping forward in downward transitions, no hollowing of the back before a new movement and no dropping of shoulders to drift through turns. The body outline stays consistent regardless of what the horse is doing.

2. Consistent Pace

Two things can happen with the pace: the horse can be sluggish, feeling like he's going to stop any second. Or conversely, the horse can be a run-away, rushing off in response to every leg aid. The rider would have to constantly adjust her position to counterbalance the variations in pace.

It can be quite a challenge to maintain a consistent pace, but it can be done. Add a half-halt before and after turns, corners and transitions. Add seat and/or leg after the half-halts to keep energy up and hind legs striding well underneath the body. The key is to recognize what ground-covering, round, powerful movement feels like and then time your aids to maintain it.

3. Smooth Transitions

Well-prepared transitions make all the difference. Teach your horse that he doesn't need to rush or tense into a gait change. If you can anticipate what you need to do to prepare your horse just enough so that he can respond smoothly and easily, you'll be well on your way to developing that effortless ride. Maintain an uphill balance, step into and out of gaits boldly and evenly, and you'll literally feel (and look) like you're floating along in tandem with your equine partner.

This is where "dancing" with your horse begins.

4. Ease of Movement

There is no greater feeling than the horse moving freely under saddle.

The idea is to let your horse move at his best tempo with a fairly large, active stride while you avoid interfering. Your job is to allow the freedom through your body while maintaining your balance. You also need to be the effective rider that knows just when to support the horse (mainly through half-halts) and when to encourage the horse with your aids.

5. Accuracy

I've added this as the final aspect because when everything else is in place, accuracy becomes easy and effortless. At this point, you've developed the necessary communication to have contact and connection. You've developed your balance, aids and quality of movement to be able to change things up when you want, where you want. While accuracy is necessary at a competition, it's something that is the icing on the cake even at home.

***

Just like the iceberg, a ride becomes effortless only after all of the fundamental parts fit together into a harmonious whole. It's everything being done well all at once that creates the foundation. Just one missing factor will be enough to make the ride appear to be less cohesive - for both the horse and the rider.

During your next few rides, after you've done your warm-up, see if you can work on a series of movements with the intention of developing this iceberg result. Use one of the transition exercises I've written about before and work on balance, pace, transitions, ease of movement and accuracy while you stay on pattern. Even if you can't be absolutely consistent, work toward it every ride. While it's not an easy task, eventually, both you and your horse will learn to put it all together.

Go With The Horse

It sounds simple, doesn't it?

Just go with the horse.

Isn't that what you're supposed to do? I mean, if you're on the horse's back, and the horse is moving, you're undoubtedly going along with him (unless you're off his back and on the ground - fairly undesired).

So what's the fuss about "go"ing with the horse?

The novice rider, of course, can attest to how difficult it can be to learn to move with the horse. The rider's entire body has to learn the up-and-down and forward-back sways to the various gaits. It's not like picking up a tennis racket and learning to hit a ball (as hard as that may be initially); it's your whole body.

After a while, though, it gets easier and you learn to "stick" in the saddle better and you sway merrily along in tandem with your horse. But still, there's more to the going than just that.

The fact is, we will hone our "go with the horse" skills for years and years to come.

When Should You Go With The Horse?

While we often speak of half-halts and transitions to maintain balance and prevent the horse from running heavily to the forehand, there are many moments during a ride when we should make significant attempts to get out of the horse's way, so to speak, and let him do his thing while we do our best to avoid interfering and being a hindrance.

These are the moments when we just flow along in the horse's movement. We neither augment the movement nor stifle it.

Impulsion

Pushing power - that's when you've asked the horse to move along in response to your leg and/or seat aids. You've asked for increased energy, and the horse obliged by bounding ahead in the movement. In these cases, you just ride that wave of energy and let the horse know that you can be a partner in his larger movement. You can always go to the half-halt a few strides later - but after the initial ask, you should "just go."

Harmonization

Think of two dance partners as they step and twirl across the dance floor. They both move as one, and this is what we must do in many riding instances to:

... encourage the horse: can be done when the horse takes initiative to offer something you weren't expecting.

... reinforce the right answer: after he makes an attempt at what you've asked, then surely, you can just ride along for a few strides to let him know he's on the right track.

... develop confidence: "just go" after the horse has overcome a mentally or physically demanding task (such as ride past a spooky corner) - get out of the horse's way and let him do his thing.

Here's How

It's a simple concept: allow your body to move with the horse. But let's break it down a bit for the sake of clarity.

1.Loosen through the lower back

Many of us need to teach our lower backs to move with the horse, especially if we start riding in our adult years. Tight ligaments and tendons contribute to the body simply not being able to move enough with the horse, so one of our initial goals must be to be able to move through the lower back and seat. Here is a great exercise to try to isolate the area that needs to "find" movement in order to help you stay in the saddle.

2. Soften the elbows

Sometimes, it's useful to just loosen through the elbows. We often maintain tight elbows (and shoulders) in attempt to maintain adequate balance and connection. If you find yourself being a little too clutch-y, focus on loosening through the elbows. Avoid letting the reins get longer, and avoid the opposite - pulling backward on the reins. Instead, find the feeling of just loosening within a consistent rein length so that the horse can find a release but doesn't become suddenly unbalanced either way.

3. "Swing" through your body

Think of this as letting your horse move your body. You kind of trampoline along with him - with adequate tone - so that you become light and buoyant within his movement. Just remember that it's not like becoming completely jello. Too much flop becomes a hindrance for the horse as well as allows you to lose balance.

4. Travel further

If you're on the right track and your horse actually reaches further and strides out (rather than just speeds up his legs), you might find that you're being left behind. Your horse will feel you and stop his movement. Instead, be prepared for the energy surge. Maybe you should make sure your shoulders stay above your hips (might require a very small lean back in preparation) and get ready to travel further with each stride.

The sooner you can learn to go, the sooner you will be able to communicate good "feels" to your horse, and the clearer your communication will be. While it may take many repetitions of just going every time you learn a new movement, it surely is worth the time spent. OK! Get out there and just go!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

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

Click here for more information.

12 Riding Quick Tips – #9: How Long Does It Take To Learn To Ride A Horse?

This is a common question we all have at one time or another.

There are three very different, short answers.

First: it takes next to no time.

We know well about the people who get on a horse, learn to kick and steer, and for all intents and purposes, ride a horse. If you're lucky enough to find one of those golden horses, and you have some athleticism and coordination, you'll likely be able to go where you want and be able to stay somewhat securely on a horse in a matter of months. Of course, it does help to have a horse that is accommodating and compliant.

Second: it takes a lifetime.

We all know of lifelong riders who continue to have "lessons" after multiple decades of owning and riding horses. I think of the high performance riders that I've followed from the time they began their international riding careers at the highest dressage Grand Prix level, who improved tremendously after five to ten years.

Let's face it - the learning is really never done. In fact, this is one of the things that appeals to me most about horse riding. Just when you think you've got it all, something new appears magically out of the woodwork, showing you a path to even more effective or better or less active... you never know until you get there. And it happens with everything - even the most basic skills such as riding the walk (how difficult can it really get??) or striking off into a canter stride.

Third: it takes two years.

This last observation is my personal one. Over the years, as I went through my own learning curves and as I observed my students develop, I've discovered that the two-year average is a pretty good time period to aim for.

That is, it will likely take you two years to really master a (any) riding skill. Of course, the more often you ride, the faster the learning will come.

Let's say you want to learn shoulder-in. Even if you can achieve the shoulder-in position in a handful of lessons, and then you can do it at the trot and the canter... it likely won't be that great for a while. You'll likely go through several learning curves and plateaus until it has really and truly become second-nature to you - and your horse. Start with a new horse, and even while you can achieve it well, you will realize that the new horse will teach you something you didn't know. And that will take plenty of time to master all over again.

So the two-year rule is a good one to keep in mind. It is especially relevant for riding concepts such as "seat" or "swing" or "on the aids" or "bend" or "over the back." These are those fuzzy, difficult-to-describe, feel-based concepts that nobody but you can do something about.

Two years. That's a fair amount of time to become really good at a given riding skill. So, really. Get started!

I'd love to know what you think. Leave a comment below.

12 Riding Quick Tips – #7: Four Leg Yield Variations (Diagrams)

The leg yield is the first lateral movement taught to young horses or novice riders. In fact, it is so essential that it should be taught very early in a rider's career.

Early Stages

At the beginning, all we want is for the horse to step away from the rider's leg. It may be from the halt, or at the walk, or in the trot. It may happen on a circle or on a straight line. Essentially, if the rider applies some leg pressure, the horse should step away from the pressure.

This aid plays an important role in helping the horse learn to balance around turns. Horses commonly lean into a turn or circle, "falling" to the inside as they come around. The rider can use the leg aid to keep the rib cage "up" through the turn, which also encourages a deeper inside hind leg stride, which then results in a much better balanced turn. It also allows the rider to keep her own balance through turns and circles.

*Click on the diagrams to enlarge.

A) Leg Yield Facing The Rail

You can position your horse so that he is diagonally facing the rail. Then leg yield down the rail, keeping that position. This exercise may be helpful to teach your horse that the sideways movement is expected, because the rail itself will encourage your horse's sideways movement.

B) Leg Yield On a Line, From A Quarter Line to the Rail

Start on the rail, going right. As you pass A, come off the rail and head down the long side of the arena parallel to the rail - but off the rail - in a straight line. Use your inside leg to ask the horse to step away from your right leg (leg yield left), to the outside, until he is back on the rail.

The key to this leg yield is to keep your horse's body as straight as possible while the horse steps forward and sideways. The horse's head can be straight or flexed slightly to the right. You can increase the difficulty level by starting at the center line and heading to the rail, requiring more sideways movement.

C) Leg Yield On a Line, From The Rail to the Quarter Line

This leg yield is more difficult than the first. You start on the rail (on the long side of the arena) and step off it toward the first quarter line. You can continue to the center line to make it even more difficult. The horse's body should be straight and flexion can be straight or slightly to the outside.

D) Leg Yield On A Circle

The leg yield on a circle (or turn) can be the initial step toward achieving a head-to-tail bend. You can use it to expand the size of a circle, asking the horse to step sideways-out - which will encourage the inside hind leg to stride deeper underneath the body. This increased engagement of the inside hind leg will help maintain balance through the turn, and develop carrying power.

In all of the leg yield variations, you are trying to establish a forward-sideways movement. A leg yield can't be only forward, nor only sideways. It should have equal components of forward and sideways (hard to do). Both front and hind legs should cross over as the horse maintains a straight body. If you lose the forward inclination, stop asking for sideways and re-establish forward. Try for sideways when you have a fairly free and energetic gait on the straight line.

12 Riding Quick Tips – #4: Go With The Flow

Horse Listening Just Go — Photo Credit: J. Boesveld. Doing my best to "just go" with his bold movement.

One of the best ways to give positive feedback to your horse is to "just go" with him.

There are three things we can communicate with our aids.

"Do"

We probably spend most of our time telling the horse what to do. Turn here, canter there, stop in the middle. We use "active" aids to communicate the messages to the horse - from our seat aids, to our legs, hands, upper body.... These aids are doing things to make the communication happen as seamlessly as possible.

"Don't Do"

Then we can communicate the exact opposite as well. We resist in order to stop the horse from doing what he is doing. For example, we may brace with the lower back and seat, and half-halt to ask the horse to stop. We may use our inside leg against the horse's side to stop him from "falling" to the inside of a circle. We might activate the seat bones to ask the horse to stop backing up.

"Yes!"

While the above two applications of our aids are most common, there is a third very distinct purpose to the aids. We can call these aids "passive", or "harmonizing". I usually tell people to "just go" with the horse.

You will find the "just go" aids to be a very powerful way to help your horse understand that he is on the right track. When you follow the horse's movement (assuming you can follow and stay in balance at the same time), the horse will suddenly feel your lightness and buoyancy. Think of the little child that can hold herself up on her parent's shoulders - so light and easy to carry. That's how we should feel to the horse as often as possible.

Of course, it can be a little more complicated on a horse's back, especially when you're in canter or some of the more challenging movements like shoulder-in or half-pass, where you have to keep your balance while the horse is moving laterally.

But it can certainly be done.

If you'd like more detail about how to do this, I've written about it in more detail here: The Need For "Yes" Speed - While You Ride Your Horse.

So, this week, see if you can be more aware of when you can "just go" with your horse and see what he has to say about it!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

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

Click here for more information.

Why Boring Is Beautiful In Horseback Riding

why boring is beautiful horseback riding — Photo Credit: J. Boesveld

They say horseback riding, especially "flat work" is boring. It's like watching paint dry.

It's true that there is little excitement to be seen when the horse moves in a steady tempo, glides through the gait changes, and seems to be doing everything on his own volition. It's pretty dull to watch the rider that appears to be doing absolutely nothing other than staying on top of the horse.

Bucks and rears? None.

Harsh riding? Nope.

Now I'm not talking about the kind of boring that you might see if someone just sits on the horse and does nary a thing at all. That can, in fact, be quite boring.

This kind of boring requires movement. You go places. The horse floats and glides. The rider is so quiet that we forget that she's there. The transitions happen, the figures come one after the other in perfect succession. While there is definite communication happening, it's subtle and refined.

This is the kind of boring that excites the educated observer. In fact, it is within all the calmness that one can see the true togetherness of the horse and rider. The respect and the compassion goes both ways. This is the stuff of dreams, the quiet that inspires and exhilarates the people who really know what they're seeing.

Why Is Boring Beautiful?

Harmony

The opposite of conflict is harmony. In the riding sense, the horse and rider seem to connect in a way that allows them to "become one". While there is plenty of activity and movement, there is little stop-and-go, and rare bobbles. Negative tension in terms of pinned ears, gaping mouth, tight back are not apparent.

Freedom of Movement

The horse just flows. The shoulders reach, the body is round and the movement is bouncy. It looks effortless and powerful at the same time. The lack of conflict gives the rider so much more time to devote to staying with the horse, communicating and riding.

Confidence

Both horse and rider seem at ease with each other. They can afford to trust in a way that results in a bold way of going that cannot happen if there is tension involved. The horse is allowed to be expressive and take initiative while the rider quietly stays in the movement.

Communication

Boring simply can't happen without a sophisticated level of communication. As soon as the "conversation" breaks down, there will be tension and all the associated problems. Of course, developing a language between horse and rider takes time and education on both parts. Therefore, you might notice your rides becoming more "boring" as you both become experienced in knowing what to do when.

Compassion

There is a certain amount of care and attention that goes into a nice boring ride! Compassion comes in many forms. It is not necessary to be harsher in your aids when something doesn't work out - just take a moment to regroup and try it again. Appreciate the horse's efforts. Be encouraging, speak in a kind voice.

Certainty

There's something purposeful about a pair that is moving together, in confidence, with that subtle communication. It looks like they both know where they are going, what they are doing, and what's coming next. There is no confusion or discord between them.

All of these intangible qualities combine to make the overall picture of the horse and rider a thing of beauty. More importantly, the true beauty lies in the positive experience for both.

To those that walk away: you can keep your exciting rides - I'm going to work on boring!

Horses. Riding. Life.

Tag: rider development

24 Reasons Why Horsin’ Around Makes Us Better Human Beings

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Riding Should Be Fun.. Right?

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

The “Iceberg Result” In Horse Riding: 5 Factors

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine

Go With The Horse

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

12 Riding Quick Tips – #9: How Long Does It Take To Learn To Ride A Horse?

12 Riding Quick Tips – #7: Four Leg Yield Variations (Diagrams)

2016 WAS OUR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY!

12 Riding Quick Tips – #4: Go With The Flow

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

Why Boring Is Beautiful In Horseback Riding

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in the* Horse Listening Book Collection, *now available for purchase!***

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

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

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

2016 WAS OUR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY!

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and path to riding success!

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in the Horse Listening Book Collection, now available for purchase!

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in the* Horse Listening Book Collection, *now available for purchase!***