riding lessons – Horse Listening

Intentional Rider Development – The Workshop

Yes, you love horses for how they <poof!> your stress away. You love them for how easily they can truly be therapeutic - mentally, physically and emotional. And you love them just because they are who the are - horses, sweet, goofy, spicy and everything in-between.

But if you're like me, you're a natural life-long learner. And when it comes to horses, you know you can never learn enough. You can ALWAYS take the responsibility of becoming a better partner for your horse!

I mean, none of us is perfect, and horses and riding are THE picture you would find if you looked up "imperfection" in the dictionary. Even the most advanced riders have so much to work on. I've watched Grand Prix level riders improve over the course of 10 years, still riding Grand Prix.

If you're a regular blog reader, you know I'm always harping on taking riding lessons. Even as we become comfortable with our level of skills, people like me want to continue developing - for the sake of the horse.

You can take lessons but there's an important piece that's often missing with the once a week lesson program - everything outside of the lesson. Anyone who wants to make consistent improvement in any skill area works on everything that goes into the skill: the mental, emotional and psychological aspects that support the physical skill. At the upper levels of any sport, there are professionals who help an athlete along with all those aspects.

But what can we do as regular riders? Maybe we just want to improve that trot to canter transition. Or we want to teach the horse to shift weight back to the hind end so the front legs aren't impacted as heavily as they are "au naturel".

If you read my blogs regularly, you'll also know that my mission for myself is to continually grow, develop, try new things, and step out of my comfort zone. This includes riding and ground work and relationship-building with my horse. It's all part of the same package.

So over the years, I've slowly and steadily built this online resource so other people who are also interested in self-improvement can use it for themselves. First off, I started the blog. I continue to share tons of free articles here so that everyone can take what they want from them. (I also "listen" to all your comments and thoughts - just because I love the interaction!)

Then I built the Practice Sessions, which is a membership-based platform where I go into detail - specific theory, specific aids, complete patterns and quality of movement exercises, and much more.

In 2016, I authored Goal Setting For The Equestrian: A Personal Workbook to fill a void in the horse publications of the time. I wanted something to help guide me in organizing my thoughts, remembering what I did, monitoring my and my horse's progress, and having a space to analyze and reflections. I've used several copies of the book myself over the years, as have thousands of people who have bought either the digital or paperback version.

But now, with online meetings becoming an easy and efficient way for people to meet from around the world, I can take it to the next step (yet again)!

I'm now offering an Intentional Rider Development Workshop.

This workshop is live and interactive. It's not like you will sit there and watch a bunch of slides while I talk (although there will be a handout and lots to do), but we will basically co-create our individual plans of what we want to do with our horses over this coming year.

a woman writing a business idea on a paper

Did you know that students who set goals, or have goals set FOR them, learn 250% faster than those who are told to "do their best"? Research has shown that simply,

People who set goals are more successful. They work hard, and succeed on purpose.
- Harry Che, Goals On Track.

But my Intentional Rider Development Workshop isn't JUST about setting goals, although that's a good part of it. It's also about how we can stay motivated, how we can track our progress and how we can include our horse (and all his quirks!) in our dreams.

I'd like to invite you to join me. I have two dates currently: Feb. 18th and Feb. 26th. Join me and plan for your 2023 riding season - from the comfort of your home!

Learn how you can design your way to positive and effective change - for the benefit of your horse.

It's on sale now for only $27 USD. The workshop will take approximately 90 minutes. We will gather in a small group and reflect and plan and think - about our horses! Just click on the image below for more details.

Are You Learning The “Right” Way To Ride?

There are so many riding disciplines and styles of teaching. It's hard to distinguish between right and wrong, especially since there are so many different opinions and "paths" to "good" riding. But everyone has a different opinion about everything in horse riding, from tack to theory to rider position to how to use your aids (or don't use them at all!) to everything you can probably think of! Am I not right?

How can you tell that the way you're learning to ride is the "right" way?

As they say, there are "many roads to Rome," and horseback riding is one of those activities that really fits that bill. As you learn more, you realize that there are many ways to teach the same end result to the horse, and when it comes down to it, we all walk, trot and canter or gait (according to our discipline and breed type movements).

But there are certain things you can look for that will give you absolute insight into the "correctness" of how you are riding and what you are learning.

Listen to your horse

One of the best indicators of the "right" way is your horse's response to what is being taught. While there is such a thing as challenging the horse and putting him out of his comfort zone, you will almost always know that you're on the right track because the horse will show you pleasure - through his bounding gait, through forward ears and eager expression, through his snorts and even (hopefully controllable) romps - when your horse feels good, you will know it. And you'll feel good too.

Improved Health of the Horse

So I know you already give your horse the best care you can, in terms of food, vet care, supplements, and even other professional care such as massage and chiropractic. But good riding and training techniques can be actually seen in the horse (and the rider, btw). With correct riding, the horse's musculature improves. The top line fills. The hind end rounds out. The hooves get bigger and wider (yes! it happens!). The coat starts to gleam.

Better Movement

You will be able to recognize a "good" system just from feeling, or watching, your horse's movement. There is nothing more amazing than to learn how to go from a tight, stuck walk (or trot or canter) to a flowing, free gait that allows your horse to move to his potential. Even better is to watch your instructor get on and morph your horse to such great movement that you never thought your horse could ever do!

Things Get Easier Over Time

While you may be continuously challenged with new skills or understandings, you can see clear progress in your development because the old "impossible" skills become easier and easier over time. Your body becomes more automatic. Your horse becomes more responsive. You can float through what was once an onerous task.

Your Techniques Are Used By Other Respected Riders

We're all working in our own barn bubble most of the time. But if you stop to look around, and you recognize that what you're now learning and doing is being done by other well-respected, successful top riders in your discipline, then you're probably on the right track.

Maybe you've never heard of these people, but when you read about them, you recognize that you're already doing what they are talking about! So while you're still learning it all in perhaps the novice levels, you can see that what you're doing has plenty in common with people much farther along the path than you.

Your Own Satisfaction

I'm not saying that every ride will be euphoric. Some rides (or many) might actually be tough and tiring. Some might be confusing. But if you come out of those rides with a sense of accomplishment, with the understanding of how to improve yourself so you can improve your horse, and maybe with an odd "aha" moment, then you know this is the path for you.

Other Riders

The proof of the pudding is to see how other people are doing in that system of teaching and training. In general, good basics create good riders. And the success I'm talking about is whatever you see as being successful. It can be success in showing, but not necessarily only in that venue. Maybe your vision of success is to have a calm, responsive horse that you can pop on the trailer at will, to go on a trail ride with your friend who lives an hour away. Maybe you want to ride your horse well enough to keep him sound into his later years. Is this what you're seeing done by the other riders who are learning from the same instructor?

Well, the horse industry is certainly not one-size-fits-all. It may take time for you to find that "right" path, but when you do find it, you will know!

If you enjoyed this article, there is much more ready and waiting for you in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions! You'll have something new to work on all the time, from well-planned patterns to Quality of Movement exercises. Tons of theory ready for you to "fill in" any information you need to know, email access to me and a Facebook Group to ask your questions, share your successes, and get feedback.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

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If you liked this article, read more here:

10 Strategies For The Nervous Horse Rider

Maybe You Want To Be The Horseless Horse Person

“You’ll Ruin Your Horse!”

“You’re STILL Taking Riding Lessons?”

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Riding Lessons

Maybe You Want To Be The Horseless Horse Person

I mean, this is for the person who rides horses but doesn't own one.

What do you do when you don't own a horse? Does that mean that you can't ride or be around horses?

Not at all.

In fact, being horseless can often be a blessing in disguise. What if you give it a good go and decide the whole horse riding thing isn't for you?

It takes years of education, mentoring and even apprenticing to know enough to be responsible for a unique "pet" (some call it "livestock") such as the horse. What could be better than learning all these things on borrowed horses, investing money into your own learning, and spending time exploring different disciplines to know what you really want to do for the long term?

Some people never buy a horse but ride for years on end. It can be done.

Opportunities abound if you take a good look into what you can do when you don't actually own a horse.

Volunteer

The first and surest way to get into the scene is to volunteer your services. If you really have no experience with horses, this is a great way to start. People will happily train you in exchange for your work. You might even get some riding opportunities as you get exposure and become familiar with instructors and barn managers.

You might be exposed to the ins and outs of everything horses. Aside from the physical development that you will gain, what can you learn in a volunteer position?

horse handling - leading a horse, teaching ground manners
horse care - grooming, feeding, leg wrapping, blanketing
equipment - saddle and bridle, clean tack
horse training - lunging, ground training (such as leading), in-hand work
facility management - learn how to run a barn
client/customer relations
I'm sure there's lots more!

You can find volunteering opportunities at riding schools, trail riding barns, horse rescue operations, therapeutic and equine-assisted riding schools, summer camps, and even veterinary facilities. Give these places a call and see what fits with your schedule and goals.

Riding Lessons

Well, I've written about riding lessons so often on this blog. But really, that is the best place to start riding. There is nothing better than having a trained instructor lead you on your horse journey. But there's a lot more to horses than just riding. So when it comes time for you to think about committing more time or (physical and financial) resources into the horse "thing," your riding instructor can be an excellent resource to guide you to your next steps.

By then, she will know you and what your goals are, and she can help you decide on future horses, higher level goals, riding disciplines, and general horse management.

The advantage to riding in a school is that you will be exposed to many different horses and possibly riding styles. You will ride alongside fellow students who are at various levels - maybe newer to horses than you are, or maybe more advanced. You an learn something from watching all of them over time.

This is a distinct perk compared to horse ownership, because once you have your own horse, you will be busy affording, riding and developing that horse only. At a riding school, you might be able to ride the same horse for a length of time, then move on to a new horse later so you can continue to learn and build your skill set.

There is an old expression that a rider should ride at least 100 horses in order to be able to call themselves a horse(wo)man. You might not be able to access a hundred horses, but without a doubt, the more you ride, the more you will learn. Horses are just like people in that they bring different personalities, quirks, skills and talents to the table. Not one is the same as the rest.

Part-Boarding

You might want to ride more often than once or twice a week in a riding school environment, and that is when part-boarding becomes an excellent option. When you think you're ready to ride on your own, work with a single horse regularly, and possibly take either group or private lessons with that horse, you might want to investigate a part-boarding opportunity.

Many horse owners want to share their horse with one other rider - some for the financial help, others because they simply don't have enough time to ride their horse often enough. As a part-boarder, you will be responsible for part of the financial upkeep, but you will have access to the horse more often. You will be able to work with that horse and develop a relationship over time. You might move away from the riding school environment and into more of a boarding facility where most of the people are horse owners.

The advantage of part-boarding goes without saying: if you want to switch horses, move away from the area, change riding disciplines, etc., you can end your commitment (usually with a one month notice) without worry of what will happen to the horse. Many people spend years being part-boarders.

Full Lease

When you lease a horse, you are ready to take on more of a horse ownership role than the above options. However, there is usually an end to that lease when the horse should be returned to the owner. Often, horses are leased out year to year, with the possibility of a renewal term towards the end of the lease period.

When you take on a full lease, you are responsible for all of the horse's expenses. You might also be required to pay a certain amount to lease the horse as well. The more trained, talented or advanced the horse is, the more you can expect to pay for the lease.

But then, you can treat the horse as if it were your own - for the lease period. Many horse owners will visit the horse, or require that the horse is boarded at a particular barn or location, but otherwise, you are the contact person for the horse and with that comes the financial responsibility of vetting, shoeing and board fees. Of course, riding privileges are yours and yours only.

Under certain circumstances, there are huge advantages to taking on a full lease versus permanently buying a horse. If your child wants to ride, she may currently be young enough to ride a pony. But a few years in, she'll be taller and want to move onto higher levels - which might require a specific horse type for the discipline she wants to be in at that time - but you won't know until that happens!

For adults, leasing will allow them to learn in-depth from one horse, then have the option to move on to a new horse - which will offer a whole new set of learning experiences.

Leasing horses will allow you to change horses in the future, without worrying about the horse's security or going through a sale process. This is a luxury you wouldn't have if you owned the horse.

***
They say horse riding is only for the very rich. Well, now you can see how many, many participants in the horse industry can do so frugally, still meet their goals, and share in the incredible experience that is horses and riding.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

https://www.horselistening.com2012/01/03/the-top-8-perks-of-horse-keeping/

https://www.horselistening.com2017/07/04/23-ways-your-horse-is-your-life-coach/

https://www.horselistening.com2017/01/04/12-riding-quick-tips-five-ways-to-set-your-horse-riding-goals-in-20112-7/

https://www.horselistening.com2016/11/02/dear-adult-with-many-responsibilities-horse-person/

https://www.horselistening.com2015/02/22/the-one-answer-to-most-horse-riding-problems/

“You’ll Ruin Your Horse!”

If you've been in horses and riding even for just a while, you've probably already heard someone say that about how someone is riding their horse. Or they may have even said it about you and your horse.

The theory is that you can "wreck" your horse if you ride poorly. If you do something wrong long enough, your horse will forever be negatively affected, develop bad habits and never, ever go properly after that.

I suppose it can be true. If you are not interested at all in developing your skills, and you do the same terrible thing over and over for an extended period of time (expecting a different result, perhaps?)... then yes, your horse will likely be ruined as long as he remains in those circumstances.

HOWEVER.

Let's say you're not trying to hurt the horse. And despite your best efforts, you are still having trouble with a fundamental skill - for example, you put your horse too much on the forehand. And you're getting negative feedback from your horse: tail swishes, hollow back, pinned ears. And you know it, and you're doing something about it.

The trouble is that it will likely take a long time to change your bad habit, or develop that new skill (or likely, set of skills).

What then? The horse will surely go through this tough time with you.

Will you actually ruin your horse?

My answer is: no!

Here's why.

Same Horse, Different Riders

The horse can only go as well as you can. This is why you might see the same lesson horse go so much better for a more experienced rider than a novice. Even if the horse is "ruined" by one rider, the next rider can help the horse find the stability he needs. Soon enough, the tension and apprehension caused by the first rider will be eliminated.

So it stands to reason that once you get through that learning curve, your horse will go back to being that same happy horse - only better. But you have to learn the skills first.

You Have To Learn At Some Point

The reality is that no matter how hard you try, your learning curve will negatively affect your horse. You have to develop timing, coordination, probably core strength, independence of aids - all over again for each new circumstance. These learning stages have to happen if you are to progress.

And they will negatively affect even the most educated horse.

My suggestion is to take note of the horse's feedback, work to improve your skill set, and beg for forgiveness from your horse. 🙂

The Horse Forgives

I often go back to John Lyons on this one. During his clinics, he often would say (I'm paraphrasing), "Zip is the most patient, forgiving horse. He forgives me for making mistakes. He waits and waits until I get better. Then, as soon as I'm better, he's better! He's been waiting for me to get better all along!"

What an optimistic perspective! Just trusting that my horse will get better when I get better has given me hope and determination during my most difficult learning phases to keep trying, keep working hard at learning a particular skill. Because I know if I can get better, my horse will reflect that change.

What To Do?

Here are some ideas if you feel like you're in a bind.

Get help from a knowledgeable instructor. If you've read my blog regularly, you'll know that I always start here. There is no replacement for an "educated eye on the ground" who can give you ideas, teach you skills and make suggestions you might not even know about.

Be prepared to "study."

The concept of studying might be rare these days in equestrian circles, but there is no other way. Read, watch videos, audit clinics, watch lessons, set goals, ride in lessons. Immerse yourself in learning.

Get a more experienced rider/trainer to ride your horse. This person can help the horse work well and stay calm mentally. She might even be able to teach your horse something he needs to know. Watch and learn what the rider is doing that may be different from what you are doing. Take mental notes and try to duplicate when you ride.

Be patient, especially during the worst times. Cut yourself (and your horse) some slack. Learning takes time. Mistakes have to be made. Do everything you can to reduce the duration and frequency of the mistakes, but know that there is a better time waiting for you ahead.

Practice consistently. This means getting out to ride as often as you can. You have to ride regularly in order to develop new muscle memory. Just one extra ride a week will make a huge difference in your learning curve.

The thing is, every ounce of effort you put into becoming a better rider is an investment in yourself. Every horse that you ride after you have consolidated a skill set will benefit. There really is no other answer. Don't be afraid of ruining your horse. Instead, put all your energy into improving yourself!

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.

What Does “Forward” Mean To You?

I've discussed the term forward many times on this blog, in terms of training for it, what it is, how it solves riding problems, and how it feels. If you want to read up on it, scroll down to the links at the bottom of this article.

I'm coming back to the idea because as always, the concept is an integral part of horse riding, especially when you are working toward any sort of performance and overall balance. I'd say it's one of the most important elements of riding.

I'm forever checking and augmenting my "forward" with my horse, Cyrus. My students are constantly working on it (maybe it has something to do with my insistence - haha!) and I tend to really notice it in horses and riders when they don't have it.

In dressage, we call it impulsion. It's the pushing power that you get when you ask the horse for more energy. It's all-pervasive, in every gait, in every movement. It's also one of the most difficult things to learn to do, feel and create.

You can do whatever you want, but without "forward", the horse will always be working against itself physically, carrying your weight in a less than efficient manner, and often being hollow-backed and on the forehand.

What It's Not

Faster

It's definitely not speed of the legs. This is a common error, and it still happens to me at times. If you're not paying close attention, the horse just moves along faster, quite possibly more hollow and more on the forehand.

Slower

Even though increased impulsion, or more "forward", can result in better collection, it's not necessarily the same thing as slowing down. We often think that slow means collected, but true collection requires a lot of energy and engagement of the hind quarters.

If your horse is taking smaller and slower steps, staying generally flat in the overall movement, he's likely not forward. Collection is round movement, bouncy, "jump" in the hind end, active, energetic. The strides may be shorter but this happens because the movement is rounder and more elevated.

I've spent a considerable amount of thought on how to explain "forward" and what it really means. This time, I'd like to ask you.

What do you think "forward" means?

How do you explain it to your students (if you are an instructor) or riding friends?

How do you know you "have" it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Please post in the comments below, so we can share in everyone's expertise and experience. Thanks!

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.

More related reading here:

The One Answer To Most Horse Riding Problems: There is one solution that will improve if not completely resolve the issue - whether it be straightness, slowness, speed, or any of the other problems listed above.

Try This To Feel "Forward": If you've never felt "forward" before, how on earth are you supposed to learn it? You need a friend to help you with this one.

18 Reasons To Establish "Forward" Energy: Riding forward is often an elusive concept when you're first learning to ride. It requires an increase in energy but paradoxically, the energy can't be let "out the front".

Stepping "Forward" in Horse Riding: The term ‘forward’ is used liberally in horse riding but is often misunderstood.

Impulsion: How Two Easy Strides Of Energy Might Solve Your Horse Riding Problem: It can help to straighten the horse. It can resolve “behavior” issues. It can even help to reduce tension in the horse’s body.

7 Great Tips For Beginner Horse Riders

Horse riding is becoming an increasingly popular activity. The attraction is simple - the horses... the physical challenge... the fact that anyone can begin to learn, young and old(er). If you are new to riding, you might be overwhelmed by all the opinions that are out there. Here are a few ideas to help you navigate your way through your first steps (walk, trot and canter).

Find a great instructor.

In some areas, you might have trouble finding multiple instructors to choose from. But work on it. Watch your prospective instructor teach a few lessons. Take a look at the condition of the school horses and other barn animals. Get a tour and see what the atmosphere of the barn is like. Finding an ideal barn and instructor is like finding a great friend or job. It takes time and you have to try it out for a while to know if it's a good fit for you.

Safety first!

Learn what you need to do to keep yourself safe, especially for the first few months. Although most horses are well trained to not do anything unexpected, horses are flight animals and really can't be completely trusted at any time. Be aware of your personal space when you work around the horses. Keep your feet clear of hooves, maintain an appropriate distance (don't let the horses rub on you or nibble on you), and make sure the horses hear you and know where you are as you approach them or work around them.

Focus on your seat development.

The seat is the source of all great riding. The seat is also the hardest area of the body to coordinate. You'll find that using your hands and legs will be much much easier than learning to follow the horse and influence him with your seat. But there is no better way. If you are lucky enough to find someone who will lunge you, there is no better way to start riding. If not, find an instructor who puts a lot of emphasis on seat development early in your riding career.

Develop excellent ground skills.

If you have a chance to learn to work the horse from the ground, grab it! They say that you only ride as well as you handle a horse from the ground, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. Take lessons, watch others and practice as much as you can. There are so many ways you can learn ground work: showmanship, round penning, lunge work (for the horse), in-hand showing... there must be others. The more you can do from the ground, the better you will be prepared to ride. Your horse will also know you as a communicator/herd leader.

Volunteer or work at a barn.

More time spent with horses means more experience. They often say that if you want to know something really well, you have to learn it from the "ground up." Nothing can be truer in riding. If you can get a paid job working at a barn, even for one day a week, you will learn invaluable skills that will propel you in the right direction. If not, consider volunteering. Working alongside experienced staff will give you the opportunity to learn and get feedback - reducing your learning curve by a lot.

Check and double-check your tack.

In many riding schools, you will be required to groom and tack your own horse. There is nothing better than spending some time with the horse you're going to ride, so get in there and get dirty! When you tack up, make sure you know how everything is secured. Check your tack before you go into the ring, and then check it again before you mount. If you are unsure of anything, be sure to ask your instructor before you get on. Your tack will keep you safe - but only if it is on properly!

Ride more than once a week.

It might be difficult to ride multiple times in a week in a riding school, but take the opportunity if it comes your way. Take two lessons a week, or see if you can eventually part-board a horse. Maybe you can rent a horse for a "practice ride." No matter how you do it, your skills will improve exponentially if you can increase your time in the saddle.

Breathe in rhythm with the horse's movement.

Even if you are otherwise athletic and have a lot of experience in other sports, your initial riding experiences might be different than what you are used to. One of the things that go first when you begin to trot and canter is remembering to breathe. A good trick is to force yourself to breathe in conjunction with your horse's movement. If you are posting, breathe on every other post. In canter, breathe every other up stride. Force your breath if you have to initially, until your body takes over. Otherwise, you will likely hold your breath and soon end up panting and losing coordination.

Do as you're told!

Your instructor will (should) always have your best interests in mind. So if she tells you to drop your hands, drop them. If she shows you how far to open your rein, or to soften your knees on the saddle, do your best to follow her directions. Sometimes, what you need to do may feel awkward or even wrong to your muscle memory. That might be because your body has normalized the wrong feeling. Just give it a good try.

Ask questions.

BUT... do ask questions when things seem unclear. If you want to be an independent thinker, you do need to know why you are doing things at certain times. There is no other way. However, there is a protocol to asking questions. While you are riding, just keep riding. Save the talking for in between the riding spurts, or for the end of the lesson. Don't be gabbing while she's giving instructions, because when you are on the horse, there is little time for conversation. That is the time you should be "do"-ing.

Be patient.

If you feel like you're all thumbs, don't worry! Pretty much everything to do with horses, including the riding part, is going to be different than anything you've ever done. Just figuring out how to put a bridle on might take you weeks to really do easily, simply because of the straps and buckles that we don't normally manipulate otherwise.

Have fun!

Well, this is the most important part, even while you are learning and stepping out of your comfort zone. Pet your horse, enjoy the feeling of being in the saddle, and enjoy the companionship of like-minded people.

Do you have any tips for people who are beginning to ride horses? Please leave them in the comments below.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Riding Lessons

You've booked your lessons and can't wait to get started. You're all set and just waiting to see what your instructor has to tell you. That's all you need, right?

Well, yes and no. It is great to be prepared with horse and equipment ready. But there is so much more you can do to maximize the potential for learning from each and every lesson. Here are some ideas on what you can do to really benefit from your instructor's time and energy.

Be in the ring and ready to go.

Some instructors want to do the warm-up with you in order to guide you in a way that is most suitable for your horse. In that manner, they can start you off with exercises that help your horse with his specific difficulties. They also give you ideas on what can be done when you're riding on your own.

As you become a more advanced rider, and you and your instructor know each other better, there might come a time when you might be told to be warmed up and ready to go. This gives you both more time for the learning part of the lesson, when you can try new things or reinforce something you are still working on.

The bottom line is be ready. Get in the ring before the lesson is scheduled to start. Have all your tack adjusted and secure so you can start right away. Be on the horse and walking by the time your instructor is ready for you.

Interpret instructions into physical movements.

There is an art to being a good student. Your instructor tells you what to do but it is you who has to know how to make it happen. Learning how to be the translator of verbal instructions is a difficult skill to develop, especially when you are first introduced to a new skill or concept. However, it is one of the most important keys to having great lessons and reaping rewards from what is taught.

Try even if you think you can't do it.

This happens all the time! Your instructor might tell you to do something and all you can think is, I can't do that! Or maybe you think, I've never done that, we're not ready!

In any case, give it your best shot. You'll realize that your instructor is likely not going to push you so far out of your comfort zone that the skill will be impossible for you. There is no other way to expand your horizons, so just go with it. Most skills take a long time (years maybe) to really develop, so just get started and work on what you get.

We all go through self-doubt, especially when faced with new learning.

Maintain a steady lesson routine.

Nothing can be learned in bits and spurts. You need to develop a routine, for both you and your horse, in order to make any kind of significant change in your riding and/or your horse's training. Most instructors offer lesson packages or monthly schedules. Take advantage and slot yourself in for regular lessons.

Lesson more often if possible.

Many of us take lessons once a week, but if you really want to make an impact, you should aim for two or three lessons a week. The secret to making a substantial change in your physical ability is to do it repeatedly, under supervision, as much as possible.

Watch other riders.

Many of us are visual learners. If your instructor has other students, try to stick around and watch them if at all possible. Even if they are more or less advanced than you, there is always something to be heard or seen that can clarify a concept in your mind. When you sit by the side, you can have more time to really listen to your instructor and watch what the outcome is with another horse and rider. All this information is helpful in your own learning process.

Ride together.

If you tend to have private lessons, you'll enjoy riding with others to break up the routine. You'll be motivated by what the others do. Your horse will be motivated by the other horses in the ring. When others ride at the same time, you'll have a chance to see and then do. It's great for the kinesthetic learners who need to do to learn.

Audit or ride in a clinic.

There is nothing better than adding a clinic to your regular lesson routine. If you can participate in a clinic, you get the chance to get an outside perspective on you and your horse. Often, you'll be surprised at how the clinician picks up on the exact same points that your instructor tells you routinely. Other times, you might hear something told to you in a different way that makes you connect the dots that you already knew about, but come together just because they were presented in a different manner.

If you can't ride, you can always go watch. Even if you don't know the riders or the horses, you'll see what other people do, how they learn and what exercises to use for particular skills. You can listen to the clinician's explanations. There are always things to learn by watching.

Read.

I always say that you can't learn to ride by reading. I still agree with that statement. However, reading is an excellent addition to your practical lessons. There isn't always enough time in a lesson to go into detailed explanations - and that is where books (and blogs!) can fit into your learning program. You might be able to pick something up theoretically that you can later use during your ride. If you are prepared with some knowledge, you might be able to pick up the meaning of your instructor's directions quicker than if you have no background whatsoever.

Watch videos.

And I don't mean the 13-second carefully edited ones on TikTok!

There are so many instructional videos put up on YouTube and other platforms these days that there is likely someone you can watch and follow in exactly your level and interest area/discipline. Many of us are visual learners and even though we can't actually feel what the rider feels in the video, it still helps to watch the process and the result.

Well, I hope some of these strategies are helpful for you, and wishing you the best lessons ever!

Are there any other strategies you use to get the most our of your lessons? Let us know in the comments below.

The “Forever” Horseback Riding Student? Yes, You Are!

Getting ready for ride — Getting ready to ride. Photo Credit: NBanaszak Photography

When you're a horseback rider, it helps a whole lot if you are content to be forever students.

You are continually floating around in this perpetual learning curve. Just as you think you've got something down for real, other things pop up - and you find yourself back at square one, even if you're relearning something for the hundredth time.

The catch is that there are so many levels of learning of any one aspect of riding.

Take transitions, for example. First off, you think that a good transition consists of a horse actually changing gait after you use your aids. Then, you realize that a good transition happens at a determined location - so it's no longer good enough to get just the gait change.

After you become more precise, you realize that a good transition happens where you want it and that it should be well-balanced. So you work hard on getting your horse to use his hind end and your half-halts help him stay off his forehand even though he might be doing a downward transition.

After you get your balanced transition at your desired location, you realize that a good transition happens where you want it, in balance and more! Now you've discovered the great feeling of "forward"- the energy should flow freely from the back to the front of the horse!

Then you figure out that a precise, balanced, forward transition happens from the seat. So you work hard at using your core muscles and seat and legs in place of your hands. But later on, your good transition must also include a light use of aids. You spend time on developing even better communication with your horse so that you can soften all your aids and still get the balanced, forward gait change.

And so it goes on and on. Nothing we do in riding has an end to it. I'm sure you can think of other stages of what could be considered as a "good" transition.

This is where being life-long learner comes into play!

The good news is that the more you learn, the more you know coming into a new situation.

The bad news is that every time you learn something new, what you thought you already had mastered changes! Sometimes, the new learning adds to what you have been doing so far. Other times, you might have to rework your whole understanding!

In my experience as a rider and instructor, you can break down pretty much all of our learning into four stages.

Stage 1: Coordination and Aids

The first phase usually takes quite a bit of both physical and mental effort. Everything seems new. You develop "feels" that you haven't known. You find you have to put quite a bit of attention into learning the aids, developing coordination of the aids, and figuring out the timing in relation to the horse's gaits. There is little for you to refer to in terms of background knowledge or experience, so you might not even know what you are looking for!

At first, it seems like you are doing way too much. Hand here, leg there, seat bone here... there are many bits and pieces that go into to creating a successful whole movement and because you are new to the movements, it takes thought and focus to put everything in its place.

Somewhere in the middle, you might feel like there is no way you're going to get it. You think you are doing the right thing, but the horse is not responding the way he should.

You might wonder that your instructor is asking too much of you. There might be confusion, difficulty in understanding the why and the what. You might get frustrated and sometimes even want to give up (this is when it's as healthy for you to quit as it is for your horse) - well, just for that day, of course!

But then at some point, something different happens.

Stage 2: The Time Warp

This happened to me one of the first times that everything seemed to fall together. After getting used to trying, doing, keep on going, never stopping... a light bulb moment happened without any intention on my part. Suddenly, I found all this extra time while everything that was supposed to happen, simply happened on its own! What used to take 5 seconds seemingly happened with little effort in 1.

I call it the "Time Warp" because it almost feels like time stands still. Everything happens together, fluidly, in coordination, and you get to just sit there while it all happens. Has something like this ever happened to you?

I believe that this feeling is the in-between stage of the initial struggle of learning, and the final mastery. So when you hit the Time Warp (or however you want to think of it), you know you've finally put together all the aids in a way that makes sense for your horse.

Stage 3: Mastery

Mastery happens when you can duplicate the skills repeatedly under different circumstances.

Let's use the transition example, at the first level of understanding. If you can get your horse to consistently make a change gaits after you've applied the aids, you're on your way to mastering the first level of transitions. If you can get different horses doing the same thing, you've really mastered that skill!

Mastery is great because you know what to do, when, where and why, and you can reproduce it at will. The effect is almost instantaneous and your horse feels better after you've applied your aids. You've finally arrived!

Stage 4: The Next Level

That is, until you notice that next level. You might become aware of it on your own, or your instructor might give you a push in the direction. In any case, you realize that there is so much more to that one skill.

For example, doing the transition just anywhere suddenly doesn't become good enough for you. Now, you want to do it at a particular spot!

The only catch - you start the learning process all over at Phase 1. Aaaand you go through the rest of the phases, then discover the new next level, and repeat the cycle again and again and again and again....

Do these learning phases sound familiar? What are you learning now, and what phase are you at?

Horses. Riding. Life.

Tag: riding lessons

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