Strides for Success

Tag: Aids

  • Revisiting the Basics; Why You NEED to Do This in Your Riding…

    Revisiting the Basics; Why You NEED to Do This in Your Riding…

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1236_Revisiting_the_Basics_Why_You_Must_as_a_Rider.mp3″ title=”Regularly Revisiting the Basics; Why You MUST Do This as a Rider…” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Here’s proof that the basics in horse riding are not just for beginners… ” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast #horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    It can seem like something that only novice or beginner riders would worry themselves with; revisiting the basics.  After all, surely there’s a point where, as riders, we can ‘set and forget’ a couple of things in our riding? Basics like position and the aids.  Or trotting and cantering…

    And I think a lot of this stems from the fact that we see the basics as being, somehow, for beginners.  For riders who are only just getting started on their journey.  Surely not riders who have been hard at work for 5, 10, 40 years… Or riders who are competing at high levels. 

    And yet, if riders could begin to swap out the word ‘basics’ and replace it with the ‘essential foundations for the current level of work or development’, revisiting those old places, from this ‘new level’, wouldn’t seem so bad after all, would it?

    Upgrading As a Rider

    As a rider, you are developing your skills all the time.  You learn new ways of doing things.  And you also stop doing things in certain ways because they no longer serve you.

    Being willing to put down old thoughts, methods, and ways is an essential part of growing and developing as a rider. 

    When riders cling to the ‘old ways’, progress will inevitably come to a halt.  Whether we like it or not, there is a capacity for what we can hold at any one point in time…

    And yet, letting go of the old ways can feel so uncomfortable!  There are thoughts like ‘well, it’s worked fine up until now’ and ‘if it’s not broken, why fix it?’.  To which I answer, why wait until it breaks?  Upgrades are essential for everything that is in good working order.  Maintainance and replacing worn-out parts keep things going – and make them better.

    You cannot ask a horse to halt the old way and ask a horse to halt the new way at the same time.  Something has to give. 

    Deciding What Needs Revisiting

    I am a huge believer in tracking things.  Looking for patterns and then tweaking a specific something in order to see what happens.  If you apply this to your riding, you will begin to clearly see what needs upgrading.

    For example, perhaps you have now begun to work on contact.  You can maintain good quality contact while you and your horse are moving forwards.  However, as soon as a downward transition is required – Hello Hollowness or Hello Heaviness! In this situation, it could be your half halt that needs to be revisited and upgraded to now include or allow for this new skill of contact.  Or it may be your balance of aids; how you are using your aids together to communicate something specific to your horse.  Maybe you need to learn to become less reliant on the reins through downward transitions and develop your seat and weight aids more.

    Each time you learn something new, incorporate something different or reach a plateau in your riding, it is worthwhile revisiting the basics. 

    Tracking your progress, and your horse’s development will allow you to see specifically what needs to upgrade in order to truly move forward to the next level in your riding.  And, as riders, it is important to both want to and try to develop your skills, understanding, and practice.

    What Makes a Great Rider?

    It’s a big question, I know.  But if I think about someone who I really admire as a rider, what usually stands out is how ‘quiet’ they are.  They really have taken the time to develop their skills in a way that allows for a ‘secret conversation’ to take place.

    Great riders, whether they realize it or not, are happy to adapt what they do in order to more effectively communicate and partner with their horse. 

    They are fluid in their thinking and actions.  They know that a one size fits all solution is not the key to working with any horse. They can assess and feel the situation without even consciously having to think about it.  And they have their own basics sorted out and developed so that their focus can be on the effective communication they want to achieve with their horse. Not fixing their position or using more ‘leg’ at a certain point in the movement.

    And they are not afraid to go back, spend time revisiting the basics knowing that what they put onto autopilot is what works NOW for them in their riding.  This creates clarity going forward in the training and development. 

    Revisiting the Basics in Your Riding

    This is a key point; your basics should be on autopilot.  You really and truly do not want to spend your time in the saddle focusing your attention on ‘lifting your hands or bending your elbows’.  You also don’t want to keep having to ‘fix’ your lower leg because it wanders.

    Whether you realize it or not, you already have basics on autopilot.  The question is, are those things still serving you? Or are they outdated and holding you back?

    How you stopped your horse the very first time you rode a horse looks very different to how you stop a horse now – we hope!  You upgraded your knowledge and skills.  And from this upgrading, you changed the actions you take to make it happen.

    Doing things a certain way because that is how you have always done something is only a recipe for becoming stuck and hitting a plateau in your riding. You MUST upgrade things in order to improve and thrive as a rider. 

    Start Today

    I bet that, as you read this, one or two things jumped out at you that you can begin working on or improving in your riding.  It could be the thing that an instructor or trainer is saying a lot… Or something that seems to be written on every ‘marks sheet’ you get from judges or assessors.  It may be something you keep complaining about to your equestrian friends, or your horse!

    Once you have identified something that needs upgrading (and something will always need upgrading), begin creating a plan to make it happen…

    Find out more about that basic.  How can it evolve or how can the role change?  What can you do differently or change?  When you know more about something, the path to making it happen will appear.

    Find exercises that will help you to work or develop that basic more. Some may be riding-related, or some may require you to upgrade your mindset or physical fitness. 

    Once you know what you want to work on, the final piece is to do it.  Take diligent, correct action, and see how things change.  Once you upgrade a basic, you will see a whole new level appearing in your riding.  And your horse will feel the difference as well.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Returning to Riding Program

    For many riders, being out of the saddle for a while means that they are no longer sure of what needs work in their riding!  If you have been on a break from riding (2 months or 20 years) and would like a step-by-step system to get you back into regular, effective riding, make sure you check out Returning to Riding.

    This premium program (usually $497) is completely free if you join Connection, my monthly membership for equestrians, in the month of March 2022.

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  • Creating Planned Responses In Your Riding (rather than messy reactions!)

    Creating Planned Responses In Your Riding (rather than messy reactions!)

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1234_Planned_Responses_Versus_Messy_Reactions_in_Your_Riding.mp3″ title=”Planned Responses Versus Messy Reactions in Your Riding” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Stop just reacting to everything when in the saddle! Here’s how…” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast” twitter_username=”Strides_Success” ]

    Do you have days where, after you get home, sit down, and think over the day’s events, you think to yourself “Why did I react like that?!”?  I know I do, even now.  I find that if I allow my emotions to run things, the chances of everything turning out exactly as I would have two chances. Slim and none!  This is why I began, a few years ago now, creating planned responses in my riding.

    Simply put, I began thinking about what ‘could’ or ‘might’ happen… And how the ‘best version’ of me would respond in the moment to the situation. 

    Being able to think about what I would like any outcome to be and then plan, in advance, the best response to achieve this changed everything. It meant that I didn’t have to necessarily change ‘me’, I can still have the same emotional response.  However, I also know what actions I want to take in order to deal with the situation.

    Make a List of Planned Responses

    I began by creating a list of things that, when they did happen, often ‘triggered’ me to react differently than I would have liked at the moment.  For riders, this list might include things like ‘my horse begins to act up and dance around’.  Or it may be something like ‘my horse begins to gain speed and momentum in the canter’.

    Literally, begin by thinking about a few ‘unpleasant’ things you have already experienced with your horse, or you have seen other people experience, that did not turn out well.

    I think that it is important to include things that are not actually caused by or related to your horse.  Like the wind, or other horses’ behavior.  Other considerations might include being on the ground… I had a little person years ago that seemed to have a knack for putting her toes under the pony’s hooves! Ouch!  While she initially would scream, shout (all understandably enough), and carry on, pinned under the pony and waiting for help, we began to change that.

    Approaching the topic at times when she was relaxed and calm, I would ask her what she thinks she could do to have a better outcome…

    Now, obviously, keeping her toes out of the way of the hooves was top of the list ;).  However, we also discussed the possibility that, even with the most cautious of intentions, the pony did the unthinkable and stepped on her feet.

    And that was key to her beginning to choose better responses – approaching the topic when everyone was calm and relaxed. 

    Letting Your ‘Best Self’ Guide You

    For most of us, when we find ourselves knee-deep in a situation we don’t feel comfortable with, self-awareness can seem difficult to practice!  This is why I strongly suggest thinking about all of these things BEFORE they happen. Create planned responses. Obviously, you cannot account for everything.

    Start with your most recent or memorable (usually for the wrong reasons) experiences. What do you wish you had done differently in the moment. Then, figure out why…

    Begin thinking about a ‘best case scenario’ if that were to happen again. Or if you could ‘do-over’ that day.  What could you have changed about how you prepared, or how you responded, that might have changed the outcome?  Even if that change was just that you felt better afterward.

    Thinking about someone whom you know would have successfully handled the situation and noticing the actions they took may help if you’re feeling stuck. 

    The key is to do this when you are feeling good, calm, and focused.  See this as an investment in your future self.  You are ‘safe proofing’ your responses in stressful situations going forward.  Allow the calm, level-headed version of you to lead the way with regards to how you would like to respond next time around.

    Responding Versus Reacting

    Once you have a clearer vision for how you would like to respond, the trick becomes putting that into action!  Easier said than done!  I find that one of the best ways to do this is to begin to notice as soon as possible when you choose a different response to the one you wanted.  Initially, this may only happen after the fact.  However, the more you practice this, the better you will become at self-awareness.

    I find that I can begin to move the awareness closer to the actual event that triggered me each time.  Until eventually, I have awareness at the moment of the event – and can choose a different response.

    Even if you are seconds or minutes into your usual reaction, when you do notice yourself – change your actions immediately. Begin your ‘planned response’ instead.

    The more consistent you can become with this in your riding, the better you can show up as a rider. And, from there, the more consistent you can be with your responses on a day-to-day basis.

    Having consistency in your planned responses, and them being in alignment with your vision of yourself as a rider, builds confidence. 

    It will build your own confidence in your own abilities.  But also, your horse’s confidence in your abilities as well.  That will, over time, deepen the partnership. And maybe, you will find yourself in space someday soon, where you no longer need your ‘planned responses’…

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Re-Defining the Rhythm in the Canter When Riding

    Re-Defining the Rhythm in the Canter When Riding

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1233_Redefining_the_Rhythm_in_the_Canter.mp3″ title=”Redefining the Rhythm in the Canter” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Let’s go past strides when we think canter + rhythm, shall we?!” hashtag=”horsepodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    There are some things that many of us simply accept in life.  Rainy days. Horsehair is everywhere in Spring. The rhythm in the canter.  And yet, while we cannot change the weather (okay, debatable) and we definitely cannot get around the necessary loss of the winter coat…

    The Rhythm in the canter is definitely something we can have a more positive influence over when we ride – rather than simply accepting what is. 

    And yet, it can seem daunting! Many riders find that when they attempt to begin doing this, they tend to lose the canter altogether.  They quickly find themselves back in the trot.  Or the canter has lost its 3 beat sequence – so it’s technically no longer a canter!

    Why Redefining?

    I think that in order to really make your time in canter count towards the overall training of your horse, we need to first define what is already there.  Most riders know that rhythm in the canter consists of a repetitive 1,2,3..1,2,3..1,2,3..

    And yet, many riders almost see each stride in the canter as being the rhythm, instead of each individual beat that truly makes up the rhythm. 

    By redefining the rhythm in the canter, I would love for you to stop seeing the rhythm as being stride for stride.  But rather being noticing the individual beats that, together, create the rhythm of each stride inside of the canter itself.

    Noticing Each Individual Beat

    Once you have committed to really separating things out regarding what happens within each stride, the challenge becomes making this happen when you’re riding.  In canter, the strides can feel fast!  They seem to come flying along and so fast and furious that really being able to identify individual beats inside of the stride can seem daunting!

    Start with the first beat of each stride.  Start with 1.  Each stride, after the break that the ‘roll’ (suspension) creates, notice the 1 in each new stride. 

    Once you have identified the 1 of each stride, begin creating a connection between that beat and your outside seat bone.  1 is your horse’s outside back leg stepping down on the ground. Your horse’s back leg and your outside seat bone are connected.

    Let your awareness of the first beat inside of each stride, and its connection to your outside seat bone help you to begin to ‘define’ rhythm in the canter.

    Finding the Second Beat

    Once you have identified the first beat, it simply becomes a matter of mindfulness and awareness to begin identifying the second and third beats of each individual canter stride. I feel that one of the best ways to do this is to begin using 1 as an opportunity to half halt.

    Half halt is only really held for a beat, so using the beat from the 1 inside of the canter stride as a timer, will allow you to begin clearly identifying the 2 in each stride. 

    The second beat, 2 is when the horses inside back leg and outside front leg move forwards together.  It will feel like activation of your inside seat bone.  A swinging forward feeling.  Some riders describe it as a ‘scoop’.

    If you can begin to identify the 2nd beat within each stride, and then tie that in with the movement of your inside seat bone, it will allow you to start truly defining the rhythm in the canter itself.

    Third Beat and the Roll…

    The third beat, beat 3 happens when your inside seat bone has swung or scooped as far forward as it is going to go inside of that particular stride.  The 3 is the culmination of the stride.  However, the horse’s body now has to move forward over the inside front leg in order to start the process again.

    This ‘gap’ between the 3rd and last beat of the old stride and the 1st beat of the new stride is marked by a moment of suspension.  It feels like a rolling feeling when you are in the saddle. 

    This allows. your body to reset itself and be ready for 1 (or the first beat) again.  Any resisting, excessive tension or lack of balance from the rider will become amplified here.  This is where many riders can become a little ‘airborne’!  It is also where riders can tend to override with their shoulders and upper body.

    The key to riding the canter is suppleness and if is in this ‘roll’ part of each stride that a lack of suppleness in the rider will become very clear!

    Re-Defining the Rhythm in the Canter

    Once you can clearly identify each individual beat inside of the canter itself, you can begin to intentionally use your aids to have more influence.  Each individual stride is an opportunity to connect with your horse and help him to create more space within that stride.

    By consistently connecting your individual aids to each individual element of the canter stride, you can begin to intentionally ask different questions of your horse

    Questions like “Wait a fraction longer here please” using your outside seat bone on beat 1 of the canter stride. Or “A little longer please” using your inside seat bone on beat 2.  Or “A little shorter here please”!

    What is important is to remember that no one aid will be applied in isolation.  I am just mentioning the two above to help you gain connection to the individual beats within the stride itself.

    When you can easily identify each beat of the stride, you can begin to measure your influence as a rider.  You can be creating more space within each stride.  Defining each beat more so that they are ‘stand out’ and easy to spot (or hear).

    This is how you can then begin to improve the rhythm inside of the canter – for you and your horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Episodes on This Topic:-

  • Improving Your Effectiveness as a Rider

    Improving Your Effectiveness as a Rider

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    Hours and hours… This is how long most riders devote each week to developing and training their horse. And yet, many riders fail to realize that they are the ‘cap’ on their horse’s further progress.

    Eventually, your effectiveness as a rider will determine what your horse can actually do with all the training you devote to him or her…

    So it makes good sense to spend time each week thinking about, planning, and then taking action on your own development. Your own conditioning, training, fitness, nutrition, social time, rest, and all of the other things that we plan for our horses.

    Why Do You Ride?

    I think to answer this, we first have to get clear on why we are riding our horse, to begin with… Most, if not all, riders are in the saddle because they have a certain outcome in their head that they want to achieve. This could be a feeling, such as relaxation or enjoyment. It could be a certain task, like getting a clear round or qualifying for something.

    Whatever the reason, it is worth remembering that you are taking time from your life to try and produce that outcome each time you mount up.

    Unfortunately, many riders often fall short of reaching the desired feeling, goal, or outcome. And, many times, this can be due to their horse not actually understanding what the outcome is that they are working towards. A lack of communication between horse and rider.

    What is ‘Effectiveness as a Rider’?

    When you know what you want to experience, it then becomes your responsibility to effectively communicate this to yoru horse. We do this, as riders, using our aids. And it is always a combination of aids.

    Your thoughts, legs, hands, body language, voice, position, seat, weight… And these are just some of your ‘natural’ aids.

    You also have a whole toolkit of artificial aids you can use to communicate with your horse. The saddle, bridle, arena, spurs, whip, lunge lines, lead ropes, etc. Most riders use a combination of natural and artificial aids in order to get their message across to the horse.

    The challenge becomes when they lack control over their own actions. This results in sloppy, haphazard, attempts at communication that muddies the message being communicated.

    When Communication Goes Awry…

    It is important to remember that, for the most part, whenever you get a result with your horse that is different to what you initially had in mind, the message probably became muddled. A simple case of you asking for one thing, but your horse hearing another, different, request.

    Retraining can play a big role in closing gaps between the expectations of riders and horses, however training is equally as important

    And training is not just for the horse. You, the rider, must also learn how to ask with more intention, focus, and clarity. It is easy to say that the horse is ‘stupid’ or ‘doesn’t understand’. However, the truth is often that the rider not clearly asking the question…

    There is a common misconception in horse riding that you ‘control’ your horse. You don’t – and never will. You merely influence…

    Your responsibility is to become better at influencing your horse using the aids that are available to you, natural and, when required, artificial.

    Developing Self Control

    The good news is that you can develop more positive influence if you work on improving your control over your body. How it moves. The range of motion you have with it. Your physical and mental stamina…

    Coordination is developed over time through a mix of developing physical strength, focused and intentional thinking, and building emotional confidence.

    I feel that saying ‘I’m not very coordinated’ is the easy way out for many riders. Lack of coordination, in most cases, simply means a lack of dedicated training; physical, mental, and emotional.  Improving effectiveness as a rider requires consistently upgrading yourself and your skills.

    I feel that, in order to truly begin experiencing the outcome you desire every time you get into the saddle, there’s work to be done on the ground as well.

    Taking Responsibility as a Rider

    If you are currently getting less-than-perfect results with your horse, then this work is for you. I think that it’s fair to say this is true of all riders. There will always be ‘more’ that we can do regarding developing our skills as an equestrian.

    Taking the time to develop yourself as a rider will allow you to begin responding rather than reacting when in the saddle.

    It will allow you to use your different aids in a way that is easily understood by your horse. Your mindset will become resilient, positively expectant, and open to new ideas and ways of doing things…

    All of these things will help you to have better conversations with your horse as you consistently improve your effectiveness as a rider.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Equestrian Fitness Challenge ’24

    Let’s walk together for 21 days and have a chat about how you can do much more than you think you can as a rider and an equestrian… I am so excited to bring you along on this journey for the 100% FREE 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge
    There will be a daily walk, a 10 minute daily yoga practice, and lots of tips, ideas, exercises, and ways to improve so that you can show up as the best version of you – for you and your horse.
    Sign up today and let’s transform your riding – one stride at a time! 100% FREE 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge

    More Help for Riders:-

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    Get Going in Your Riding:-

    Daily Strides Premium is back! You can use the first and original audio horse riding lessons to improve your riding, train your horse, keep things interesting, and have fun… Even if you don’t have a trainer or coach

  • Turning Your Horse versus Asking Your Horse to Turn

    Turning Your Horse versus Asking Your Horse to Turn

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    It seems pretty simple, navigating a corner or bend with your horse.  And yet, for many riders, this becomes a complicated task really quickly.  The issue is not the turn or the bend.  No, the issue is that they are trying to turn their horse, rather than simply setting things up and allowing their horse to turn.

    As the rider, you do not bend or turn your horse.  You simply set things up and ask your horse to bend or turn…

    In this episode, I want to dig a little deeper into how you can begin to make the transition from being the rider who is trying to control everything to the rider who is setting things up and allowing things to unfold naturally.

    What is a Turn?

    A turn or bend is whenever you and your horse deviate from a straight line.  You will meet them while in the arena, each corner for example.  They will also be part of your trail rides, even if it is just when you turn around to come home.

    All activities when we are with our horses will include opportunities to work on improving the basics through the correct riding of a turn or bend. 

    And that is what I want you to begin seeing each one as; an opportunity. So much can be learned from each turn and bend.  They will help you to understand where you are at that moment with your horse with regard to your training and development.  And, they will help you begin to work on going deeper or further in your training.

    Relaxation and Rhythm

    I suggest starting right at the beginning before you ever get to the turn, bend, or corner.  Think about how you can best set both yourself and your horse up.  Pay attention to your current tension (relaxation) levels.  Will they be sufficient to get you through the turn the way you want?

    Work on establishing the correct tension (relaxation) levels in both you and your horse before each turn.  Then, as you ride through it, notice if you both maintain this level.

    The rhythm is the same.  Establish it beforehand and then work on maintaining it through the turn or bend.  However, keep in mind that, very often, the rhythm will have already established itself… Particularly in the trot.  In walk and canter, you may need to work on it.  Once you have a rhythm you are happy with, pay attention to how well you can maintain it throughout the turn or bend.

    Outlining Your Track

    The next piece is often the one that so many riders forget about!  Strange, because it would naturally appear to be one of the most important parts of riding a turn or a bend.  Knowing where you’re going to ride…!  And yet, riders leave this one up to chance.

    Clearly map out your line or track.  If you struggle to visualize this in your mind, use actual physical markers to help you.  

    As you ride through the track you have chosen for you and your horse, you will see how suitable it is for you both at this point in your training.  Sometimes it can be too ‘tight’ and the lack of suppleness in either or both of you will be highlighted as you struggle to maintain rhythm and relaxation.  Or, it might be too shallow a track to ask any real questions.

    Only when you begin to actively ride specific tracks, can you begin using turns, bends, corners and circles in your training to move you both forward. 

    Asking for the Turn

    Now we are into the nitty-gritty.  This is often the first place riders begin when they make the decision to intentionally riding any bends, corners, or turns they meet.  However, hopefully, you can now see that this piece actually comes after a lot of other important things first.

    Often, asking for the turn comes down to how well your position and posture are at that point in the ride.  If either of the above is lacking, your aids will not have the same meaning. 

    You ask with a variety of aids.  Firstly, work on flexion.  This is like a ‘nod and a wink’ in the direction you’re planning on traveling. From here, think about how you can best communicate with your horse that you want an equal bend throughout his body as he rides through the turn.

    Pay attention to your aids, position and posture as your horse begins to bend.  You may need to make adjustments. 

    Allowing the Turn

    As your horse begins to travel through the turn, your job now becomes simply allowing him to do this to the best of his natural abilities.  Yes, you can help and support him if he is very green.  However, it becomes exhausting very quickly if you are trying to control his every footfall.

    Think of your aids as being a channel, funnelling the energy in the direction you want it to travel or move…

    If you feel that the energy is falling out, or leaking somewhere, correct and go back to being the channel.  Correct and allow.  Don’t ‘hold and control’.  If you do this, your horse will never learn to take responsibility for his own actions.

    Also, if you remain in the correct position, with good posture, you will be ready to ask for ‘more’ energy if necessary.  

    This can often happen if the energy that was present before or while setting up the turn has leaked out somewhere, perhaps through an outside shoulder.  Being in the correct place will also help you to reinforce the channel if necessary.  This is often useful to remember when it comes to the hindquarters and your outside leg.

    Straightening Out after the Turn

    Once you and your horse have successfully navigated the turn, you then have to turn your attention to riding the next part of the track.  This is usually back onto a straight line.  The same care and attention should be given to successfully doing this, just like riding through the turn itself.

    Pay attention to the rhythm and relaxation… If you compare them to what you entered the turn with, how do they measure up?

    What was maintained through the turn, and what was lost or is not quite as good as what it was, to begin with?  These are areas you can begin working on in your training with your horse.

    Every time you ride, you will be faced with a turn or bend.  My hope is that you can begin using each one as an opportunity to move the conversation forward for you and your horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Links to Help You:-

  • How to Use Your Arena Rail to Improve Your Riding

    How to Use Your Arena Rail to Improve Your Riding

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    Have you ever ridden in an open space, a large open space? A space with no boundaries, or fences, or hedges, or any natural ‘this is the end of this space’ obstacles. It takes a lot more focus to ride accurate shapes and straight lines. We tend to ‘wander’…

    So many of us forget how beneficial an artificial aid the boundary our arena rail creates. Not only does the arena rail or fence mark the ‘end’ of our riding space, but it also boosts our confidence; “He can’t run away, there’s nowhere to go”

    And it also helps us as an artificial aid. Something that will help us to strengthen and become more focused with our natural aids.

    Size Doesn’t Matter All That Much

    Last week I was working with a rider on another farm, and we didn’t have the luxury of a demarcated arena. We were working in a large paddock, which was wonderful. However, the ‘fence’ was quite a bit away from us. The exercise was to ride a 20m square in the walk.

    What became apparent, very quickly, was that without reference points, the square was not all that square!
    The size was changing, there were curved lines. It definitely lacked right angles at the corners. And, rather than riding the exercise to work on what we actually wanted to work on, all of the rider’s time was devoted to trying to actually visualize the square on the grass in this large paddock.

    Riding straight lines is a difficult thing to do when there’s nothing guiding you and keeping you on track.

    The good news is that the size of your arena is not what’s important here. A 20m x 20m space can be great when working on accuracy and suppleness. What is important is how you use the arena rail to being strengthening your natural aids. This is for those times when you find yourself without an arena rail to follow…

    Your Arena Rail is an Artificial Aid

    I love groundpoles. They help ‘mark’ things out for horses and riders. If you need clarity about where you should or should not ride, a groundpole is a handy thing to have!

    The rail can provide the same clarity. Especially when combined with other aids to apply pressure. A ‘squeeze’ of sorts.

    Think about a time when you were struggling to effectively communicate something to your horse about where you wanted him to go. By riding him closer to the outside rail and then combining the pressure created from that with your inside aids, you were able to successfully apply pressure.

    Pressure is the ask. It is the question. And often, when our natural aids are a little less than clear, an artificial aid is a great way to clarify what we are trying to communicate.

    Riding a Line

    The rail is often a way to train yourself to begin riding straight (or a least straighter) lines on your horse. Think of when you ride down the centerline for example. The only way that you truly know you are still on the centerline is because you are equal distance from each of the ‘long side’ rails.

    As soon as you find yourself closer (or traveling towards) one of the two ‘long sides’ rails, you know that your center line has gotten off track.

    The same applies when riding the quarter line. This one takes a little more concentration as the distance of each boundary is different. It is also a great way to begin becoming familiar with ‘squaring up’ to the ‘short side’ rail of your arena.

    By checking that you’re parallel to the long side. And then noticing if both you and your horse’s shoulders (and later hips) are perpendicular to the short side; you can ride a pretty straight quarter line with your horse.

    Focusing on Your Straightness

    Once you can recognize a straight line, your focus will then shift to you and what you are doing to achieve that straight line. I am saying straight line in the loosest of terms here… Most riders, once they put two or more meters of thin air between them and the rail begin to ‘wander’!

    The good news is that the wandering is less about a lack of focus. It is more about your uneven aids and communication from the saddle. It is also about symmetry and strength.

    I suggest riding the center line again. Notice if your hands are equal distance from your horse’s mouth and your tummy. Many riders travel with one hand further back, or more forward. Also, notice the height. Are they both equal distance from the ground?

    From here, notice your knees. Are they equal distance from your horse’s chest? Or is one knee more forward than the other? How about height; is one leg/hip/heel/ lower than the other? You’ll see it in your knees.
    Now, from here, recognize that your knees are usually a good visual representation of whatever it is that your hips are doing. And that your hands are usually a symptom of your upper body and shoulders. Are you truly straight?

    Working on Your Straightness First

    Once you can begin seeing your own crookedness, you can work on strengthening and straightening. I say strengthening because most crookedness comes from a weakness somewhere. Identifying what needs the work is vital so that you can then put a little more attention on that area as you ride.

    A lot of weakness is actually the result of a bad habit that has been practiced over and over again.

    Let what you can see directly in front of you (your hands and knees) help you identify any crookedness. And once you know it is there, the job becomes to figure out why. A habit? A method or basic you have outgrown in your riding? An actual issue in your body?

    Or a weakness or lack of strength in your horse that you have compensated for?

    I always suggest looking at the rider first. Most riders want to shift all of the ‘work’ to the horse. Be really honest with yourself here. It can sometimes feel like the chicken and the egg! A good way to figure this out is for you to ride a different horse. And to ask someone else to ride your horse…

    The Magnetic Pull of the Rail

    When we first learn to ride, we usually spend a lot of our time on the ‘outside track’. Simply put, we ride close to the rail (sometimes too close and get our legs rubbed). There are a few reasons for this; it is easier to direct novice riders when they know to ‘keep out. And, it allows us to become familiar with certain arena shapes and movements.

    The arena wall acts as an anchor of sorts. Which is great… Until the pull becomes a little too much! Next time you ride, be a little more observant of how you ride on the outside track.

    Notice how, for your horse, there may be a tendency to travel with the outside shoulder a little closer to the ‘wall’ than the outside hip.

    This is because most horses are, generally speaking, more narrow in front. It’s one of those things that, once you see it, there’s no going back! You will be aware of it every time you ride close to an outside rail or track going forward. Which is a good thing, because now you can begin to actually strengthen your natural aids in order to correct this.

    Strengthening Your Natural Aids

    This is where your awareness of your own aids plays a big part. Once you see that the rail might be now hindering your progress going forward, you can begin to wean him from the rail. I believe that artificial aids are a ‘back up’ for natural aids. The rail of the arena is no different.

    Once you are aware of your natural aids; it is important to begin using them more and relying less on the artificial aid that the arena wall provides.

    Start with that common observation of how your horse travels when riding on the outside track. Move 2m in from the track (onto the ‘inside track’) and notice if you can maintain ‘straight’ when there. Then test your aids further by traveling 1.5m from the rail.

    The closer you move to the rail, the stronger the magnetic pull!

    Use this to focus your attention on asking your horse to go where you want using your natural aids, rather than simply letting the arena wall be ‘outside aid’. Also, notice how there is always a balance of the aids. Too much of just outside will not create or maintain straight. The same applies to the inside.

    The Rail as the Boundary

    Over time, you will wean both yourself and your horse off the artificial aid that the arena rail creates. Does this mean that you can now ride all the time in big open spaces? I am going to suggest not…! Once the rail has stopped being an ‘aid’, it can go back to its original use; a marker.

    The rail’s true function is to mark out space you are working in. Using it for that is really helpful when it comes to being accurate and ‘measuring’ your progress.

    However, once you have learned to ride a straight line using your natural aids, it can feel really good to do this regularly in a completely open space.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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