rider development – Page 5

What Is Contact? The First Stage

contact stage 1a — Contact: The First Stage - Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

*This is the first part of a three-part article. Parts 2 and 3 are linked below.

What do people mean when they speak of "contact"?

The topic can be either (overly) simplified or (unnecessarily) complicated. This is another one of those horse riding questions that you'll get 25 different answers when you ask 25 different people. Between different riding styles, techniques, horses and riders, and the fairly abstract nature of the topic, you'll find many different responses to the simple question: What is contact?

There is good reason for the ambiguity. "Contact" is one of those things that can take years to develop and understand. Then, just when you think you've finally figured it out, you'll discover something new that changes your whole perspective and adds a new dimension to your levels of understanding. Over the years, I've identified three stages of contact that I've learned and experienced. It is by no means the one conception of contact, but here is my take on it. Maybe it will help you in your development as you go through your riding experiences.

It's Developmental

Each stage builds on the last. I think that all of us go through all the stages, starting with the first one as we begin our riding careers. Then, we progress to the second and then the third over time.

The trick is that we need to go through these stages until we develop the skills to get past them. The level you are at right now isn't where you're going to be in a couple of years' time. Finding the new level takes time, practice and stepping out of your comfort zone. As always, getting educated feedback is the key.

It's worth the effort though. The further along you get, the easier and quicker it will become for you to bring a horse along - even if the horse is fairly young or uneducated.

Stage One: "Take Up" the Contact

Lots of times, instructors tell students to "take up the contact". What they mean is that the reins are too long at that moment, and you should shorten the reins enough to make the reins straight.

When you take up contact, you can begin to feel the horse's mouth. This will in turn help you to support your aids for such things as stops, turns, balance (through half-halts), transitions and much more. Although the hands are the last of the aids to be applied, they nevertheless help to confirm what the rest of the body is signalling to the horse.

This is the most basic form of contact. The main point of the "take up" is that the action is initiated by you and you control how much pressure you put on the bit. You are initiating a beginning form of communication. This would be used especially for beginner riders or young or uneducated horses. While you won't finish your "contact journey" at this stage, it is where you will likely begin.

During this stage, you will likely be learning your other aids as well. You will be working on coordinating your seat, your legs, hands and voice to mean something to the horse. You will learn to stay with the horse and not get left behind. You will also learn to become more of an active participant (rather than passive) and become comfortable with unplanned situations such as spooks, romps and just generally getting the horse to go places.

Even if you are personally at other stages of contact, you might need to come back to this stage to educate a young or inexperienced horse for the same reasons. He will learn all your basic aids and become more comfortable with your directions.

The first stage is only a beginning but it is a necessary place to start for many reasons. However, there is so much more to come!

Stage Two: "On the Bit"

Stage Three: "On the Aids" Or "Connection"

Top 10 Common Goals for Riders

Part One

"I'm riding round and round the ring, putting in the time and the days, and still not making much progress. We have the same problems and we make the same mistakes as we did last year."

Is this you?

Don't worry if your answer is yes. Most of us have been right there with you, probably more often than we like to admit. After all, once you have the basic riding skills down, further improvement consists of slow, tiny steps that might be difficult to identify and even more tricky to achieve.

Over the years, I have realized that most riders grapple with similar problems and mistakes as they develop their riding skills. As I taught others and while I rode myself, I began to realize that the same situations occur - maybe in different contexts and at different levels. The fact remains, though, that there are certain overarching skills and habits that will affect almost everything else in our rides.

As I was planning my Goal Setting for the Equestrian eBook, I put together a list of what I feel are the most common goals that all riders can work on, regardless of their level or discipline. Here are some thoughts and questions that can help you set your own goals as you move into a new year of riding.

10. Consistency

Consistency in the saddle is an art in itself. There is so much that goes into looking steady and sure and the same that maybe all the goals below should really go into this 10th of the Top 10 list. In essence, you have to be able to stay in balance, keep impulsion, use the right seat aid at the right time, and put it all together into a confident and comfortable connection with your horse.

The fact that consistency is actually so hard to find while riding is the reason why I feel that most riders need to focus on this most of the time.

What are some ways you can improve the consistency in your rides?

9. Seat

The idea of using the seat isn't only about making sure you sit in the saddle without bouncing or falling off. Staying on and not sliding around on the saddle is the first part of it, but there is so much more to riding from the seat. In fact, the seat is the key factor in almost everything you do in riding - from transitions, to laterals, to determining tempo, to impulsion and collection... it all starts at the seat.

There is no such thing as being "perfect" in your seat. There are so many layers of learning to feel and guide the horse through the seat that we could be working on it for 20 years and still identify areas that we need to keep working on.

Where are you at and what do you need to keep working on to improve your seat?

8. Longer Legs

The seat very much affects your leg position and aids. You might need to lengthen your legs even if your legs are actually long in the first place! The "lengthening" happens especially at the hips and knees - which need to open - which then allows the backs of your calves to lengthen, which then frees up your ankles to drop down below the stirrups.

Long legs are hard to find for many of us, but especially worthy as a goal over the long term, because they in turn influence the quality and effectiveness of your seat.

How often do you need to check in with your legs to make sure they stay long in movement with the horse?

7. Upper Body Balance

One common fault that many riders have to overcome is the control of their upper body. We often collapse forward or fall backward in relation to the horse's movement. Transitions tend to test our core strength and balance. How often do you tilt forward in your upper body during an upward or downward transition? How often to you feel somewhat left behind when the horse gamely moves ahead of your leg?

Control of the body allows you to be much freer in all your aids, including the all-important seat.

Which exercises can you put into practice that will help you stabilize your upper body even while the horse is moving?

6. Rhythm and Tempo

This is something you have to do both for yourself as well as the horse. It is very difficult to maintain a steady rhythm (the footfalls of the gait) and tempo (the speed of the footfalls). Most horses speed up and slow down at will, and it takes a lot of feel and awareness to influence a horse in such a manner that helps him find a "perfect tempo" that will enable him to maintain strength and balance in movement.

How can you make rhythm and tempo a priority in your riding activities?

Click here for Part Two of this article.

If you'd like a structured, but personal tool to set goals, take a look at the new Goal Setting for the Equestrian: A Personal Workbook. The pages are designed for you to set and keep track of your progress over the course of a year.

Included in the book:

design your overarching goals
long- and short-term planning,
debrief your special events such as clinics or shows
reflect on, plan and evaluate your goals
sample goals and pages

The Workbook is available for instant digital download so you can print the pages right off your computer. There is also the option of a paperback version if you'd rather have a professionally bound book to hold in your hands.

Click here for more information.

Our Best Goal Setting Year Ever!

Every year, I list out my riding goals for the year. Every year, I feel like I've fallen short of my intentions, or that I've forgotten what I was thinking about way back in January. I always start out with the best of intentions. Somewhere along the way, though, things fall into a rut. Does this happen to you?

It's not that I stop riding. Far from it. It's more like the goals I had set become far-away fleeting thoughts that eventually float off into the distant sunset - and the days go by, weeks turn into months, and soon enough, here I am yet again, at the beginning of a new year, looking at continuing on with the same goals as last year.

Showing helped a lot. When I was competing regularly, I had to consistently challenge myself and my horse. My horse and I stuck to a program and got feedback from the judges. Then we used the feedback to improve specific skill sets that were required in the level we were riding at. We had frequent riding lessons. We got fit. We memorized tests and movements, we practiced until things became easier.

I lost that structure when I stopped showing. Maybe you can relate? The system dissipated and I started falling into a routine of non-routine. My rides became more "whatever happens, happens" instead of being specifically focused. My horse and I spent more time riding along according to whim and tide.

Not that there is anything wrong with that. There are plenty of reasons why we should often be in the moment, enjoying the company of our four legged friend, mostly doing things that feel good and please us. The only catch is that in general, when we don't step out of our comfort zone, we don't learn new things.

The rides become the same after a while, and we fall into a thoughtless rhythm of doing basically the same thing time and again. It's comfortable, and in general, you feel like you are doing something, after all. But you know, deep down in your heart, that you could be doing something more - working on new skills, trying things you think you'll never be able to do.

This is why this year, I'm going to try something new. I'm going to structure my goals better, and work at setting clear, concise goals that will be measured over time. If you would like to do the same, here are some tips to be keep in mind while you set your goals.

Habits versus Goals

There is a clear difference between setting goals and creating habits. The former requires behind-the-scenes thinking and conceptual development. The latter requires action. The only way something becomes a habit is by repeating the behavior over and over again. Repeat enough times, and you will find a habit is formed.

I personally need to work on opening through the hips and letting my leg become longer. If I can repeat the leg stretching exercise on the horse, I can definitely make a difference in my overall seat, position and leg over time. It's just a matter of making it a habit.

Once the habit is formed, the goal is achieved.

Develop Momentum

The most difficult thing to do is start something from scratch. The second hardest thing is to continue doing it after you start. But here's the deal: every effort you put into something helps make it easier the next time. Momentum arises from repeated efforts (not necessarily the same efforts) over time.

If you're not in a lesson groove, it can be difficult to get going the first time. But do it the second time, the third time, and soon enough, you won't want to miss a lesson because you'll lose the momentum you've built up.

Going to a clinic might seem like a big step into the unknown. You might not be familiar with the clinician, the surroundings, even the directions to the farm. But it seems easier the second time. The third time, it starts to feel like a routine and soon enough, it becomes just another thing you can do with your horse.

Add a show in here and there, or an outing of some sort, and soon enough, both you and your horse become old hats at doing new things. It's really all about developing momentum.

Get Out Of your Comfort Zone...

This is one of the toughest parts of learning new things. Although we all say we're good to try something new, when it comes down to it, we will rarely put ourselves into enough discomfort to really change anything. Horse riding (or doing anything with horses) can challenge you to the core of your existence and to the boundaries of your physical abilities. Just when you think you know something, you'll discover something completely new that you need to adjust to all over again.

Sometimes, you might need to produce an attitude change in order to be successful in riding your horse. Other times, you might need to do something physical, such as remember to breathe in every stride, in an effort to just keep breathing through the canter. What seems difficult or uncomfortable at first becomes easier as you turn the skill becomes a habit.

...But Not Into The Danger Zone - Safety At All Costs

Through all the changes, it is essential to keep safety in mind. It can be so easy to overlook something and put yourself or your horse into a situation that is too difficult to handle. Let's say you rarely canter but you decide to finally get down to cantering one day. Even while you're successful, you would have to keep in mind the fact that your horse hasn't cantered much and long sessions of canter might be too hard on him physically. In that case, many walk breaks in between canter sessions might be in order.

Only a Handful of Major Goals For The Year

Set a limited number of overarching goals. The thing with horses is that if you truly focus on one major goal, and become more successful at it, you will likely address another bunch of problems that you might not even have been aware of.

So it's good to settle your mind on a select number of specific, measurable goals. Don't think that you have to set 20 or 30 goals over the course of a year. As few as 10 goals, especially those that address the development of the basic skills, might be plenty to achieve over the course of a year.

Personal Goals - Compare To Yourself

When deciding on goals, make them personal to yourself and your horse. Your combined skills might be completely different than another horse and rider, and that is perfectly fine. You might want the help of your instructor in identifying exactly what you can work on to develop your weak areas, but in the end, the best measure of your success is to compare how you are doing now with how you used to be.

How do you plan on structuring your riding goals in the coming year? Comment below.

If you’d like a structured but personal tool to set goals, take a look at 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.

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

You might also enjoy:

Top Ten Goals For A New Year: Here are my personal goals for 2014.

Listening Corner - Riding Goals Defined: These are several excerpts from dressage authors on how to identify and prioritize your riding goals.

11 Unexpected Side-Benefits of Riding Tests (Or Patterns): If you rarely ride a pattern, you might initially be surprised how difficult it can be to ride according to specifications. But it is very much worth the effort.

5 Things Your Horse Doesn't Know About You: Our stress, or exuberance, or lack of energy affect our interactions with the horse from the moment we grab the halter and lead rope and head to the field.

Focus On Transitions - Week 4: This is the final week of our transitions series. Practice these exercises to improve your transitions.

#1 Rider Problem of the Year: Riding in Tension

We see it all the time, and maybe we even do it all the time. This happens to beginner riders as well as the most advanced, and shows up in horses at every level. Sometimes it's unavoidable but it's always undesirable. What is it?

It's tension.

In the rider. In the horse.

What does tension look like?

In the rider, tension is mostly evident in the body: the tightness through the joints, the clasping for the reins, the perching seat or the tight lower back.

It's also apparent in the manner of the aids. Sharp, jerking movements, either with the reins or legs indicate stress or an otherwise emotional response from the rider. There might also be a hint on the rider's face, expression and verbal cues.

Similarly, the horse can display tension physically and mentally.

When tension exists, the horse's body literally tightens. His strides might shorten, his head may rise to an uncomfortable height and he may take a misstep here or there. Alternately, his head may go far down below the withers.

The horse might rush or fall into a turn. He might also be reluctant to go forward.

Mental tension can be indicated by an uncomfortable mouth, pinned-back ears and a regularly swishing tail. Some horses learn to just "get along" despite their discomfort, while other horses become more and more difficult to ride over the long term.

What's the problem?

The thing is, tension happens all the time. You might tense up because the horse took a step (or leap, or buck) in a direction you weren't expecting. Or the horse might tense up just from spotting that horse-eating monster in the corner of the arena. There are probably hundreds of situations that might cause tension in the rider, the horse and both.

Working to eliminate tension isn't the problem. If you notice yourself tightening up but you purposely loosen through your joints or stabilize through your core, then you can fix it. If you catch your horse with your inside aids as he steps in, straighten him out and continue moving forward, you've done exactly what you need to do to teach the horse that he can depend on you, mentally and physically.

Repeat these scenarios hundreds of times and you will both learn to rely on each other for security and support. Keep addressing the tension and long-term results will bring about a calm, steady horse with a similarly well-minded rider.

The real problem is that too many riders don't address tension when it arises. Or perhaps, we don't even know what it feels like. Or looks like. Maybe we misinterpret the signals the horse sends us, or we need more education to be able to actually identify it - in both ourselves and our horses.

The result of not knowing? That can be the topic of an entire book. However, it can be said that the horse suffers - from head tossing to kicking out, to physical damage (such as problems to the joints and vertebrae) to mystery lamenesses.

It can show up in the rider too. We may also suffer physical problems (let's say, from too much weight in the hands or falling). Some people also develop mental/emotional blockages which cause physical tension. Let's say your horse often spooks to the inside of the ring. Your physical reaction is to grab the reins and get into a "fetal position" in your body. Eventually, you assume the tense position as soon as you feel your horse tighten. You tense, your horse tenses. Or vice versa.

What to do.

If we agree that tension itself isn't the real problem, but knowing about it is, then we can begin to address the various situations that occur systematically. It can be tricky to identify and then know what to do about tension. Here are some ideas that might help.

1. Slow down your aids.

This one takes practice if you're not used to it. As soon as you feel tension, in your own body or in your horse's, slow everything down. This doesn't mean you stop moving or you let the horse "suck back." Continue what you were doing, but use your aids just that little bit longer. It gives the horse time to think, respond and just settle mentally. Rather than rushing or pushing him along, pretend you're stuck in quicksand, and s-l-o-w-l-y apply the aids.

2. Take more time.

Pretend you have all day, even if you don't. Allow the horse time to just move along. So if he needs a longer trot warm-up, give it to him. If he needs more work on transitions, then work the ups and downs but don't rush them. If you wanted the result in half a circle, give him a whole circle. If you need a break, take it!

Reduce the urgency of your requests and spend more time at each movement.

3. Have an "eye on the ground."

This one is for the riders who can't yet feel tension. We all need prompting at first, and likely even in later years as you progress in your riding levels. Your instructor will see the tension in either your horse or your body, tell you and then you can begin to identify what it feels like. Later, you'll be able to act earlier in the sequence - maybe catch the tension as it becomes apparent, not after. But we all have to start somewhere, and an educated eye can always help.

I know what you're going to say - there are times when you simply can't avoid riding in tension. This is absolutely true. Some athletic movements require horses to be strong and firm and active - think jumping, for example. The tight turns and high jumps set the horse up to put maximum effort at a moment's notice. There's bound to be mental and physical tension under those circumstances.

The key is to actually know that the tension is there, and to work at reducing it. Give your horse a wonderful stretchy trot at the end of a jumping session, for example. Allow the horse to mentally take a break while other riders take their turns. Break down a riding session into chunks and spend some time addressing the things that cause you to tighten up.

Be aware, and work towards looseness.

If you liked this article, and would like to download a free pdf eBook of all the #1 Rider Problem series, click here for more information.

Buy the book! If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in our new book, Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life.

From the book:

"Something about riding horses prompts us to work on our own mental aptitude and attitude. From the coordination of the aids to developing the elusive FEEL that comes along with riding, there are concepts in this book that will help you explore the hidden factors of riding - the ones you may not have the time to really explore while you are on the horse's back....

As the years pass by, and you become a HORSE person, you will realize that horses (and riding) don't just impact your abilities - they impact your life. "

40 chapters (196 pages) take the reader through an introspective journey designed to ultimately benefit not only the rider, but the horse.

Learn about:

horse ownership and horse care

the theory behind the riding strategies

goal setting for the rider

specific rider skills

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Why You’ve Got To Know Why In Horseback Riding

473085_10150776318640823_179263392_o — Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

Knowing "why" is almost as essential as knowing "how."

During lessons, we work so hard on the skills that we need to learn. We work on aids, timing, carrying ourselves, staying balanced, listening to the horse. The best instructors can coach us in terms of what to do and when. They can explain what we're supposed to feel, and what we should do between gaits, and where we need to position the circles.

They can show us how to physically position ourselves for particular gymnastic exercises. They can teach us how to find a rhythm and how we can increase energy without letting the legs speed up.

Many riders learn do amazing things with their horses - while they are under the supervision of their instructor.

But there is so much more to riding.

Although the "hows" of riding are critical to success and, let's face it, allow us to stay on the horse in the first place - there is something to be said about the understanding and knowledge that completes the overall picture. Without knowing why we do things, we are left to achieving sporadic success when we ride on our own.

The major drawback to not knowing why is that there is always a gap left in the overall picture. We become reactive to stimuli. Rather than setting up a situation, we are always left second guessing and not knowing what to do next.

Why do we rise in the trot when the horse's outside front leg moves forward?

Why do we time our aids to specific moments of the horse's movement?

Why do we open our reins at that moment, but close them at another moment?

Why would we use a travers (haunches in)?

Why do we start lateral work with a leg yield?

I think we could formulate "why" questions for almost everything we learn in riding. In fact, there are probably why questions for everything we do with horses, including ground work, feeding, providing shelter, and even deciding on blanketing.

In my opinion, knowing why we do something is almost as important as knowing how to do it. Of course we need skill acquisition to be able to do something in the first place, but without knowing why, we will often be left unable to troubleshoot and resolve problems, or even prevent them in the first place.

The problem is that learning why can be tedious and time consuming. Most people want the sort of instant gratification that comes with doing. It can be confusing and difficult to sit still for a moment to try to understand why the how works. But it needs to be done.

How do you learn the why?

First, we need the type of instructor that will and can explain why. Then we can practice and make enough mistakes to experience why.

Second, we can read to fill in any knowledge gaps.

Third we can watch other riders and lessons.

Finally, we can stay open minded enough to learn from a multitude of sources - and the horses themselves.

Slowly, through repetition and experience, we accumulate enough knowledge to intrinsically know why we do what we do, at a moment's notice, especially while we are on the horse's back.

It is through these experiences that we can become independent riders, able to take what we learn and apply it to different situations.

How have you learned the "why" in riding? Comment below.

Choosing Appropriate Western Dressage Goals

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 Cathy Drumm, an equestrian instructor and trainer for over 30 years. She has been teaching Western Dressage since she offered her first clinic at Heritage Farm in Easthampton MA on a cold spring day in 2010. Cathy has always used classical dressage concepts to train all of her horses and their riders. Visit her website for more articles and information about upcoming clinics.

As I travel throughout the country teaching Western Dressage, I have a noticed a common dilemma that is shared by many adult riders who are either starting their riding careers or coming back to them after a long break. The dilemma exists because of the conflict between their dreams about riding and the reality of riding.

There is a difference between dreams and realistic goals. Dreams are great: they keep us inspired, help us stay on track and well, give us something to dream about.

For instance, someone might have gotten back into riding because she has always dreamed of riding a beautiful horse in perfect harmony down the center line at the World Championships. Or maybe she has dreamed of participating in a 100-mile ride through Vermont’s glowing orange, gold and red hued fall. Or another person may picture herself winning the year end prize at her region’s team penning championships.

Unfortunately, these wonderful dreams are often squashed or never realized, not because they aren’t attainable, because dreams are not the same as goals. Goals are like rungs on a ladder – a rider needs to understand that in order to get to the top of the ladder, she has to stand on each rung first.

The understanding that horses need to be properly developed and conditioned in order to perform ANY significant physical activity with a rider on board doesn’t seem to be standard knowledge. A surprising number of riders think that as long as their horse is fed, watered and sheltered, all they have to do is show up when it fits their schedule to do whatever they had planned --go on a long trail ride, win at a horse show, spend a day hunting, attend the local gymkhana or team penning.

The horse looks healthy and he probably is. The rider feels fit, indeed she probably is. The horse has no doubt had all the right supplements, worming, vet checks, hoof care and feed. The rider has visited the gym on a regular schedule.

So why do I see the following scenario or similar or renditions of it so often?

The horse gets off the trailer with his head and tail straight up, sweat dripping. He won’t stand still to be tacked up. He whinnies; he treads on toes mercilessly. When his determined rider does get on, she is amazed by how strong and disobedient he is.

He is healthy, but because his back muscles haven’t been conditioned to carry a rider correctly, he uses his neck and shoulders to carry her which makes him unbalanced. Because she has been going to the gym she can literally hold him up but she thumps around in the saddle using her hold on his unbalanced front end to stay on board. It is a testament to her strength, vitality and determination that she is able to do this. It is a testament to his health, vitality and willingness to try that he is able to carry her over his shoulders while holding her on with his mouth.

BUT, is this a day that either of them truthfully wants to repeat?

No!! The horse will be very clear about this. The next time she comes to ride he will be less than enthusiastic, if not downright nasty. And who can blame him? His back, shoulder and neck muscles hurt for a week. His mouth was tender and bruised, his nerves were shot. He is only just beginning to feel normal when she shows up to do it again!!

Does she wish to repeat the performance? Not really! She hurt for the same week. Her hands were raw and her neck, back and shoulders were so sore that she thought she might not be able to go to work.

She is in a bind though, because she can’t admit to anyone, especially herself, that she hated it.

She was scared, uncomfortable, exhausted and embarrassed, but how can she admit this when she is spending so much time, money and energy on this beautiful animal who is the love of her life. She must enjoy EVERY minute!! Why isn’t she winning? What is WRONG with her? It must be her fault, she isn’t good enough. She sub-consciously thinks that if she admits the truth she will lose her horse.

She utters a self-deprecating, frustrated wail of the question “Why can’t I just ride?”

The simple answer is that she has inappropriate goals!! She has mistaken dreams for goals.

The fact is the woman is amazing!! Brave beyond reason, strong beyond belief, determined beyond sensible. No average person would put up with or survive through a fraction of what she does every weekend. She is admirable, but she is also wrong and misguided. The problem is that not only is she hurting, scaring and endangering herself but she is doing the same to her horse. He neither deserves it nor understands it, and it could ruin him!!

Her dreams need to make way for realistic goals. She and her horse TOGETHER must get really good at walking before they can run and jump. If there aren’t enough hours in her day or week to allow her to attain her dreams as quickly as she expected, she needs to forgive herself. If it is way harder and takes much longer than she anticipated, she needs to learn to enjoy what she can do!!

Walk actively, while learning to develop her horse’s back muscles; discover what it’s like to control him with a light touch and a soft feel. Learn to move in harmony with him so that she doesn’t thump against his back. Gradually introduce him to new environments so that he is calm and manageable instead of adrenaline filled and manic.

Most of all, she must remind herself of the reasons why she wanted to have a horse in her life. She should allow herself to be grateful to spend time with him, get to know him, trust him, have him trust her, get fit and accomplished together, on their own schedule. It isn’t a race unless she makes it into one. It’s the quality of the journey that matters, not the speed at which she gets there.

If she works on goals, rather than dreams, in time she and her horse will be able to trot or jog as well as they walk, and eventually canter or lope as well as they walk and trot. While these steps may seem small, they are, in fact, plenty lofty and, more importantly, appropriate for her and her horse’s development. With a solid base beneath them, she and her horse have a better shot at whatever her dreams may be.

What goal-setting process do you use for your riding development? Let us know in the comments below.

Want to advertise your business on Horse Listening? Click here for more info.

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in our new book,* Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. *now available for purchase!***

Available as an eBook or paperback.

What Is Hard About Riding Horses

Well, it's not really that hard to ride horses.

In fact, one might say it's pretty simple to sit and be taken around from place to place. That's because once you can stay on with some balance, and move along reasonably with the horse, you'll be riding. All it takes is some tack and a willing horse. People have been doing this for millenia, long before we learned to drive cars or write a blog post or tap on our smart phones.

What is hard is much deeper and more profound than travelling à la equine. It involves much more than a simple stop, start, go left and go right.

Some of the learning can be physical. It's about sensing the slightest change in balance, position, or even thought (of the horse). It's knowing when to move and when to stay still, when to tighten your core muscles and how to maintain a three-point seat on a moving back.

But it's more than that. The real learning can be personal. Riding can "exercise" your emotions, your mental stamina and even your very character.

Because horse riding is an interaction.

It isn't anything like blog writing or driving a car or texting on the phone. The horse is a living, breathing, self-determining participant in everything we do. The reason we call it a partnership is exactly why we are put in a position to learn - especially about ourselves.

This learning might be the most difficult of your life, because it is likely the most personal characteristics - those entrenched in your normal day-to-day existence - that are challenged to develop over time. The horse doesn't know it. He just goes on being a horse, doing his best to be with you, but nevertheless being a horse.

You, on the other hand, are put in a position that requires you to recognize what needs to change in you so that you can improve in your riding. For your horse. And that is the most difficult part of what horses really do for us.

What do you think is the hardest part about riding horses? Comment below.

Want to advertise your business on Horse Listening? Click here for more info.

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in* Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. *now available for purchase!***

From Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life.

As the years pass by, and you become a HORSE person, you will realize that horses (and riding) don't just impact your abilities - they impact your life."

40 chapters (196 pages) take the reader through an introspective journey designed to ultimately benefit not only the rider, but the horse. Learn about:

horse ownership and horse care

the theory behind the riding strategies

goal setting for the rider

specific rider skills

Available as an eBook or paperback.

5 Quick Tips To Get Out Of That Riding S.L.U.M.P.

What can you do when you eventually fall into that riding slump (we've all been there) when you feel like you've hit a plateau?

You know the one. When every ride feels alike. You end up doing the same things with your horse. You see little progress being made.

Rest assured that this happens regularly to all of us. In fact, it's part of the learning process. There are the times when you seem to improve each ride and then there are the times when nothing changes - or maybe you even regress!

Fear not, dear rider. When you find yourself in this situation, remember the acronym, S.L.U.M.P. Follow these wise tips and see if you can nudge your way out of the plateau a little sooner than later.

S: Simplicity

Clarity is the key to communicating with your horse from the saddle. There's nothing more difficult for the horse than to try to decipher half-messages. Look for ways to simplify your messages to the horse.

Don't be wishy-washy; instead, be sure, convinced that you know what you're asking for. If you wanted a trot from the canter and your horse kept on cantering, try again. Did you miss something in your aids the first time you asked? Did you kick and pull at the same time? Think your aids through and clarify.

Avoid being harsh under all circumstances. It's not about just getting louder and fiercer with your aids. Settle down mentally and see what you can do to change things without causing your horse to become tense or stiff or worried. As the leader of your two-being group, you owe it to your horse to maintain calmness and clarity.

L: Learn

Look to yourself to trouble-shoot any problems. Learn more. Ride more - maybe your body needs repetition to strengthen and coordinate the aids. Be humble and go back to the drawing board if needed. Take lessons, watch videos, ride at clinics. Improve your horse by improving yourself. Each horse will teach you different things, and the key is to be willing to put in the work to take on new challenges.

U: Urge

As in, urge your horse to move. Just go forward. Forward can be the solution to almost every riding issue, whether in walk, trot, canter, laterals or back-ups. Always think forward. Get your horse to step to the bit, engage in the hind end, round over the back and respond to the bit. Then... (you guessed it)... go forward again! Live in forward.

M: Maintain

Then remember to maintain your horse's tempo. Avoid letting the horse's legs just go faster faster faster. After you've infused the horse with activity and energy, control it. Half-halts are the key at this point, not clutch-and-grab the horse's face and hold on for dear life!

Maintain an even tempo using your seat, while posting when you're posting trot or from well-timed half-halts. Breathe! Then let your horse breathe as well. Keep the horse straight to maintain balance and regulate the leg speed.

P: Prepare

When things don't work out, just regroup and give it another go. Although your horse should eventually respond instantly and in balance and strength, maybe it's ok to give him a few strides to prepare for the transition or movement. For now, maybe you can take some time, establish the preconditions for the next movement and then do it when your horse is ready.

Or change the topic, do something you and your horse are good at, then go back to the hard part. Accept a less-than-perfect performance from your horse but make sure you're at your best as much as possible. Put extra effort into being prepared for your ride - mentally and physically. Your horse will improve as you develop.

Whenever you find yourself stuck, remember to S.L.U.M.P your way out of your slump! And as always, once you give something a try, be sure to listen to your horse. He will always tell you when you're on the right track!

Horses. Riding. Life.

Tag: rider development

What Is Contact? The First Stage

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Horse Listening – Book 2: Forward and Round to Training Success: The same excellence of the blog right in your hands!

Recent Articles:

Join me at the Online Horse Fair 2026!

Guest Post: Advice to Help You Sit Tall in the Saddle Without Working Against Your Own Body

5 Best Lessons Learned From My Horse Adventures

Intentional Rider Development – The Workshop

Bend: Top 8 Common Mistakes We ALL Make!

Top 20 Articles of 2022

Simple Change Your Way To Better Gaits (Exercise)

9 Signs Your Horse Is About To (Or Did!) Spook

It Isn’t Magic! Top 5 Reasons Why “Practice” Will Take You Far This Year!

Never Knew What We Were Missing: Virtual Shows!

Top 10 Common Goals for Riders

Part One

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Our Best Goal Setting Year Ever!

#1 Rider Problem of the Year: Riding in Tension

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book! If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in our new book, Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life.

Why You’ve Got To Know Why In Horseback Riding

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Read more here:

Choosing Appropriate Western Dressage Goals

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in our new book,* Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. *now available for purchase!***

What Is Hard About Riding Horses

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in* Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. *now available for purchase!***

5 Quick Tips To Get Out Of That Riding S.L.U.M.P.

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Horse Listening – Book 2: Forward and Round to Training Success: The same excellence of the blog right in your hands!

Recent Articles:

Part One

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Buy the book! If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in our new book, Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life.

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Read more here:

If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in our new book, Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. now available for purchase!

If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. now available for purchase!

Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in our new book,* Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. *now available for purchase!***

***If you enjoyed these tips, you can find many more in* Horse Listening – Book 3: Horses. Riding. Life. *now available for purchase!***