So many people are frustrated with their horses or with themselves because they aren’t getting the results they want from their riding.
You feel like your horse isn’t listening to you. He’s stubborn. He’s too fast or too slow. He cuts corners, He won’t stop. He won’t go.
Maybe what you want is to win ribbons or belt buckles. Or maybe you just want to be able to ride a decent canter; get over a jump without any drama or have a relaxed walk on the trail.
If you’re not getting the results you want; if you aren’t enjoying riding; if your horse is stubborn, resistant or over reactive; then you need to figure out what is getting in the way. What’s getting in your horse’s way and what’s getting in your way is very often how you are communicating with him.
Here are 3 ways you can increase the fun in riding and improve the results you are getting.
1. Consistency. Horses are creatures of routine need consistency to feel secure. If you are cuddling him like a puppy one minute then yelling at him the next, he just doesn’t know what to expect from you. So, he can’t relax and he can’t fully trust you. It’s really no different than if another person behaved that way with you. Have clear and consistent boundaries with your horse – on the ground as well as in the saddle. If you want him to move away from your light leg aid when you’re riding then he needs to move his hips, shoulders and barrel when you ask lightly from the ground.
2. Awareness. Horses are very aware of everything going on around them. Other people, other horses and animals in the barn or where you’re riding; noises; scents; they are taking it all in. So, while you (being human) are focused on chatting with your friend, checking your text messages or thinking about your ‘to do’ list, your horse knows you aren’t aware enough to keep him safe from potential danger. And that’s really his #1 priority. Sorry, he didn’t mean to leave you behind when he jumped 3 feet sideways from that other horse. But it was threatening to kick him and you just weren’t aware of the subtle body language.
3. Relaxation – any level of tension in you or your horse whether it’s mental or physical (and it’s usually both because the mental and physical are so darned connected!), creates some level of resistance. The resistance may not be intentional. But braced muscles in one of you creates braced muscles in the other and that creates resistance. Tension invites tension. You both need to be mentally and physically relaxed to be able to work together rather than against each other. Only then can you achieve your best. When you are soft, well balanced and supple (that means relaxed), then you can help your horse be that way as well.
Riding should be like dancing with your horse – not wrestling with him. If you are frustrated with your horse or your own performance, I challenge you to focus on improving in these 3 areas for the next 7 days. Then join us on my Facebook page and share your experience with us.
