Listening To Horse Is So Important If You Want to Dance With Him

The other night, while I was watching the television show “ Dancing With The Stars”, I thought about people asking me if I could teach them to train their horse, when I was training  and giving lessons. Why, you  ask, did  I think of that question? Well, I guess because riding a horse is a little bit like dancing . When people begin to learn to dance they are taught the steps of the dance without the music. It all starts with choreography and the music is added later.  I always felt that  there was more to horse training than teaching the steps to someone. I could have done just that, but I didn’t, because eventually  you have to hear and feel the music or  you’re not going to be very good at the dance. 

  It seems, of late years, the horse world is full people teaching other people the 

“choreography” of training horses without the “music”.  Training a horse is not just  a formula that works on all horses, because, just like people being instructed 

in dance, horses have different personalities as well as strong and weak points. 

Someone can give you the formula for training your horse, but  you can’t be successful if you don’t know your horse well enough to know his strong points and weak points. 

 When people would ask me if I could teach or train them to be able to train their horse my answer, as  a rule, was no,  particularly when  they were fairly new horse owners. In my opinion,  it takes  years of experience with horses to be able to train them and, even then, not everybody is capable of actually training a horse. I would explain to them that the first, and most important, thing they needed to do was to really get  to know their horse. Listen to his “music”.

  I would tell them that they  needed to build a relationship of trust and friendship with their horse. I also suggested that they should start spending time with their horse so they could get to know the horse. I would tell them to just spend  the afternoon with their horse, not necessarily riding or schooling the horse. I would tell them  to just give the horse a good grooming then take the horse for walk on the lead line and let them graze, and just talk to the horse.  I suggested they watch their horse in the pasture with other horses, so they could learn about the horse’s personality , learn where he was in pecking order of the herd. I would tell them that just hanging around talking to, and watching, their horse sometimes was better than riding them. The more you know about your horse the better partnership you will build with him.

  If you know how the horse is feeling it makes it much easier to solve problems the two of you may have in your partnership. You need to listen to your horse and have a feel for what he’s thinking before you try to teach him anything. 

 If you want to enjoy your horse and dance with  him then you need to listen to the “music” as well as know the steps. I believe that anyone can teach the “choreography” , but not many can teach you to feel the “music”. So, perhaps, before you make the decision to try to teach your horse some new steps you should be sure you know how to feel the horse’s “music” before you start the lesson.

Western Dressage

Western Dressage is all about classical horsemanship as a foundation for any discipline and is designed to help western riders learn to us the training scale to provide a step-by-step progression for training and relationship building. 

Whether you are a trail rider, a pleasure rider, a barrel racer or a endurance rider Western Dressage will help you become a better rider and will help your horse be better. Western Dressage promotes long-term soundness as well has enhances the relationship between  horse and rider. 

Western is style or type of riding just as English Hunt Seat is style or type of riding. Dressage is derived from a French word dresser that simple means to train.  The Dressage tests were developed to measure a horse's athletic development at a specific point in their training. The Dressage test is not a means to an end, but it is a process to provide feedback on the training of your horse. Western Dressage integrates the principles of Dressage with the best of Western Working Horse tradition. 

The elements of the two disciplines are of course very similar. Both disciplines create a better horse and rider through structured focused and progressive physical as well as mental development. 
Both look for balance, cadence and carriage. Both disciplines use tests as an opportunity to evaluate the progress of horse and rider through feedback. 

Where they due differ is in the execution of the fundamental elements. As the horse and rider progress through the levels of Western Dressage, the test elements reflect the movements, maneuvers and duties asked of a Western horse. The Western Dressage horse needs to handy, willing, safe and calm while demonstrating pure gaits and lightness. The Western Dressage horse is evaluated with the conformation and movement of today's Western horse in mind. In keeping with tradition, Western Dressage is shown in Western tack and clothing.

Western Dressage goal is not to create a Western horses that competes in traditional Dressage, but to develop a Western horse and offer additional education through the principles of Dressage and good Horsemanship. 

Any breed can participate in Western Dressage including gaited breeds. There is no special tack or embellishments required just good, clean, functional working western tack. They recommend rider's attire be conservative in the style keeping the focus on the horse. Rider can wear their jeans and jeans. Helmets or western hats are required, but the preference  for on or another is up to the rider.

There several Western Dressage organization out there today who's goal are to educate and promote this fast growing equine sport. 

Longeing Without Stirrups is Good for Beginning Riders

by Faith Meredith
I agree with this article that Faith Meredith wrote about longeing without stirrups being a good tool for beginning riders. I have had my students do that exercise. 

 Longeing without stirrups can be a wonderfully useful tool to help riders learn to relax, ride in balance, and follow the motion of the horse as they work toward developing an independent
seat.
  Longeing allows the rider to concentrate on her seat without worrying about controlling the horse's pace, direction or speed. With someone else handling the horse, longeing removes the fear factor. When the rider feels safe, it is easier to relax her muscles so that she can feel and follow the horse's motion in
balance.
  The horse handler also provides the rider with an observer whose feedback can be enormously useful. The rider may feel she is balanced but the handler may note that she is leaning backward or forward rather than being positioned correctly over the horse's center of gravity. The handler can remind the rider to breathe or provide other verbal cues to help the rider match the horse's rhythm. The handler can help describe the movements of the horse's feet so that the rider can begin to feel them for herself through her seat
bones.
  Longeing is a skill that must be mastered by both horse and handler before they can work safely as a team to help riders develop good seats. A longeing schoolmaster is a special horse. This horse must be in good condition and able to carry himself in balance on circles in either direction. He should have an excellent sense of rhythm and if the rider loses her balance, he should not get flustered or change his rhythm. The longeing schoolmaster is able to stay focused and relaxed regardless of anything else that might be going on in the vicinity. He is very aware of the handler's body language and responds predictably and smoothly to her requests for up or
down transitions.
  The handler should be familiar with the horse and sure of her ability to communicate clearly with it before putting a rider up. She should know how to keep the horse moving forward in a steady rhythm and how to ask for smooth up or down transition.
  While some instructors like to use longeing cavessons, many people do not have them. A simple snaffle bridle is sufficient. Slip a halter over the bridle and fasten the longe line to the halter ring. We like to use side reins whenever we longe riders but if the horse is comfortable working on a circle they are not always necessary. It is better not to use side reins than to use them incorrectly. Boots or bandages protect the horse's legs from accidental dings and provide tendon support when working on a circle. A riding helmet and gloves are standard safety equipment for both rider and handler.
  To help the beginning rider, we fasten a "grab strap" to the dees on the front of the saddle. The rider can hold onto the strap until they develop good balance. A rider can also use these straps to pull her seat deeper into the saddle. This opens her hips and tips her pelvis up. Crossing the stirrups of an English saddle over the pommel also creates a grab strap of sorts. Pull the buckle down 5 or 6 inches away from the safety bar before crossing the leathers to eliminate awkward lumps under the
rider's thighs.
  The longeing arena should never be less than 20 meters in diameter. Anything less is too hard on the horse's legs. Longe lessons should end before horse or rider become too tired. A half of an hour is long enough. Change direction once, spending half the time in each direction. When changing direction, the horse should stop on the circle and handler should approach it and reposition the longe before working in the second direction. A beginning or muscularly weak rider may need frequent walk breaks during a half hour lesson. With more advanced students, one way to get more out of a longe lesson is to let two students take turns as rider or handler while the instructor watches and
teaches.
  Beginning riders working on a longe should concentrate on relaxation, balance and finding the proper position in the saddle. They can first practice relaxing different groups of muscles, then relaxing all of their muscles. We do not ask beginning riders to hold their heels and toes in a riding position at first. A loose, relaxed ankle helps them move around and experiment with their position. The initial goal is to help them find a correct position with their body aligned from shoulder to hips to heels, shoulder back and open, head and neck straight, and thighs relaxed and flat against the saddle. They should not be gripping with their thighs and their lower leg should rest softly against the
horse.
  As riders progress, there are many balance exercises that can be added at the walk, then trot. Riders can dangle their legs or ride with legs held out away from the saddle. They can change their arm positions to challenge their balance – arms crossed in front, held on top of their head, stretched over their head, or held out to the sides as they twist in either direction. They can count the horses's strides out loud to help them develop a sense
of rhythm.
  Transitions from gait to gait are excellent exercises to use on the longe. As riders continue to progress, they can try to ask for up or down transitions before the handler intervenes. As their balance and muscle strength increase, they can graduate from a sitting trot to a posting trot without stirrups. The instructor/handler needs to be a good observer and choose exercises that will help individual riders work on their particular issues.

In Hand Trail Classes

Trail class has been around for some time and is certainly well known, but there is a relatively new trail class, that is an off- shoot of the traditional trail class, called In-Hand Trail Class.This class is  growing in popularity with all breeds.
 The In-Hand Trail class course is set up much like a standard trail class in which the horses are ridden, except  the horse is led in-hand by the exhibitor. Like a ridden trail class obstacles are set up in the arena.  This class were once generally offered to young horses who had not yet been saddle trained, but that has changed in recent years and is open to horses of all ages and training levels. At most open shows however the general rule is if the horse is entered in a In-Hand Trail class they can't enter the ridden Trail Class, but at some shows the In-Hand Trail and Ridden Trail class course are different.
  Just as in ridden trail class the course is set up in a ring and the exhibitor is told what is required of both exhibitor and  horse in the class. Depending on the age of the horse competing there may be a bridge to walk over or a gate to go through. You may also be asked to walk over poles on the ground or tarps  (to simulate water). You may be asked to back your horse through poles as well as place a saddle pad or other type of blanket on him.
 Your horse must have basic grounds manners to compete in this class. He needs to lead properly,  in-hand, and stand quietly. Like any other class you may enter it’s important to train your horse at home so he is comfortable with what you ask him to do on show day. It’s a good idea to set up obstacles at home for these training sessions.
 In-hand trail class is a perfect class for the young horse with no showing experience or older horses new to show ring. It exposes them to the show ring as well as all the sights and sounds outside the show ring. It’s  a good starting place for young horses and good confidence builder for them as well.
 At the show the course will be explained to you The judging of the class is usually done just as a ridden trail class, with points received for each obstacle successfully  executed and points taken off for refusals.
 Entering an In-Hand Trail  Class is, for many people  is not only a challenge, but they find it enjoyable as well. It exposes young horses, or even mature horses with no showing experience, to the show ring. It’s an excellent training method, as well, for the young horse and he can carry what he has learned in-hand to his saddle training. Entering an In-Hand Trail class is also an excellent method of bonding with horse whether you have young horse or you and your horse are just beginning your partnership. Many Seasoned Riders enjoy entering this class with their horses for those to reasons.

Happy Trails.

Still Horse Crazy After All These Years

I remember how excited I was when I got me first horse when I was 12 years old.  I couldn't sleep the night before and I couldn't stop smiling. I remember being so thrilled when I got to feed the horses and fill the water tub.  That first ride on my own horse sent me over the moon. Going to the tack store and buying new halter and lead was so much fun for me. Don't get me started on how exciting it was when I got a new saddle. Every thing that summer was wonderful to me, even cleaning stalls.

There have been several new horses that have entered my life since that first horse 40 years ago. I would like to say that I'm grown up now and I don't get that excited anymore, but that wouldn't be truthful. I still find myself getting that same feeling in pit of my stomach when a new horses is about to arrive. I will still go out and purchase a new halter and lead for that new horse which is still fun. The first ride is still exciting and honestly it makes me feel like a 12 year old again. A new horse just brings that the 12 old horse crazy girl out in me.

As I welcome a new horse into my life a beautiful a National Show Horse mare my handsome Morab gelding is not far from my thoughts and neither is that 12 year old girl I use to be.

Speak Up

I published this originally in the Pony Press and again January of 2013 here, but feel it can't be said to many times. 

I don’t know how many of you have read, or have heard of, the children’s book the Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen. It is about about two weavers who promise an Emperor a new suit of clothes made out of the finest cloth money can by and the very vane Emperor who gives them the money to buy that cloth. However, the two weavers don’t spend the money on the cloth so they come up with a  rather clever plan. 
     They convince the Emperor and everyone around him that the cloth is invisible to those who are unfit for their position, stupid, or incompetent. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes  everyone acts as though they can see the clothes,  except for a child who cries out  "But he isn't wearing anything at all!” Okay, what does this have to with anything horse related? Well  I’m about to explain that.
      I think we oftentimes have  Emperor’s New Clothes syndrome in the horse world. We are  sometimes convinced by people in our industry that we should see things a certain way and do things a certain way. They convince some of us if we don’t do that it’s because we are not smart enough or savvy enough to understand what they are doing. Not wanting to look foolish, people often go along without questioning what they are being asked to do or what they are seeing - which can lead to problems for the horse and the human. 
    For example, there has been a real trend lately of people standing on the their horse’s back which (unless you have a trick saddle, are a trained trick rider and your horse is trained for trick riding) could very well get you hurt, but nobody seems to want to say that to those people standing on the back of their horses. In other words - let’s not tell the Emperor he is naked, because we might look as if we are not smart enough to understand why people are doing this. 
    People are also riding their horses with no bridle or halter and using a stick  to control the horse, which, in my professional opinion is not safe, especially on the trail. We need to tell the Emperor that what he is doing is dangerous. 
    I have seen a video of a clinician, at an event, asking those participating to stand up in their stirrups, put their hands behind their backs and ask their horses for a trot. Thankfully, those participants were wearing helmets. That was a dangerous thing to ask anyone to do on horseback. Those riding in that clinic should have said “ No, are you crazy?”,  but they wouldn’t have wanted to appear ignorant or unable to understand what the clinician wanted them do, so they dutifully did what they were asked. 
    Sometimes at these clinics the horses aren’t being treated with kindness and sometimes it borders on abuse, but nobody is willing to stand up and voice that opinion. You know what’s coming - they don’t want to tell the Emperor that he’s naked.
    This syndrome can be found in showing circles as well, even at the Olympic level.  A trainer/rider begins to consistently win and they will become very sought after because of those wins. People don’t concern themselves with the methods that person may be using which could be harming the horse - all they can see is those Blue Ribbons, Trophies and Medals.  Again, people don’t want to speak out against these methods.  After all,  those people are the experts and they certainly wouldn’t want to question them. That would make them appear ignorant. 
    When you see a person doing something that is dangerous to themselves and their horse speak up - maybe you can help that person before someone gets hurt. If you feel a horse is being abused speak up, don’t just stand idly by and let it happen. This applies to everything in life - stand up and say “That’s not right!” Go ahead - tell the Emperor he is Naked.