Strides for Success

Tag: bond

  • Building a Connection with Your Horse

    Building a Connection with Your Horse

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    As a rider, I bet that part of what you love about being an equestrian is the bond that you have with your horse. However, this bond, for many riders, takes time to develop and strengthen.

    This is because building a connection with your horse takes more than just time in the saddle. It requires attention. As well as understanding, patience, and a deep respect for the unique partnership you’re creating.

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast, I want to give you some practical steps you can use to strengthen the connection with your horse.  I think that the beginning of building a connection with your horse starts with understanding your own expectations. From there, you can begin to create a clearer plan for deepening the bond.

    1. Understanding Your Expectations First

    It seems like such a cliché, however in order to really understand your horse, you must first get to know yourself better. When you can take a step back and assess your own expectations, it allows you to become much clearer about what you’re truly looking for when it comes to your connection with your horse. .

    What do you hope to achieve with your horse? Is your focus on competitive performance, building a trusting partnership, or simply enjoying your time together? Every ‘goal’ or desire will require a different approach.

    As we know, horses are incredibly intuitive animals. And they often respond to the energy and emotions we bring into our interactions. In fact, many of the ‘issues’ or challenges we come across with our horses can actually be traced back to this.

    Before you begin each interaction with your horse, take the time to first become self-aware about how you’re feeling and what thoughts, emotions, and beliefs you’re bringing to the conversation. 

    I find that setting a clear intention for each interaction helps to keep things on track. Use your intention throughout each session to keep you present and focused on your horse.

    2. Trust Through Consistency

    Once you’re clear on your expectations, your horse can also begin to trust and rely on what he can expect when you’re working with him. This builds trust. Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, and it’s no different with your horse. Horses are creatures of habit, and they thrive on routine and consistency. So by becoming intentional about developing consistent aids or a consistent riding schedule, you will build your horse’s trust in you.

    Simple, consistent actions—like grooming, leading, and even how you tack up—can have a huge impact. Your horse will start to feel secure in knowing what to expect, which leads to a more relaxed and willing partner.

    3. Your Horse’s Feedback

    Connection is a two-way street. Just as you have expectations, your horse has their own way of communicating what they need or feel. When you’re open and attentive to your horse’s feedback, you are able to make the small tweaks in your approach that make all the difference. These can be physical cues like ear position, tail movement, or changes in gait, but can also show up as resistance, behavioral issues, or a reluctance to engage.

    Horse riding is a team sport. Part of that means that it’s your responsibility to listen when your horse is trying to tell you something and then respond accordingly. Knowing that he’s being heard builds trust. 

    4. Ground Work

    Groundwork is absolutely essential when we are working with and training horses. There are always things to be done before you mount up and then after you dismount. However, so many riders only want to focus on their connection in the saddle; the irony is that groundwork will actually improve that as well. So, whether you’re leading your horse, lunging, or practicing liberty exercises, once you and your horse are aware of the other presence, the conversation has begun.

    Become intentional with your body language. When you listen to your horse’s feedback, you can improve your aids immediately through tweaking your body language.  Groundwork also helps to earn your horse’s trust and encourages him to respect your leadership

    Groundwork also helps to clarify expectations, explain and reinforce boundaries, and learn how to communicate using slight, subtle cues. Many of which you can then take into the saddle with you. 

    5. Consistency, Patience,  & Time

    Finally, while immediate ‘ah-ha’ moments will happen and are possible, building a connection with your horse will take time. It’s rarely a ‘one and done’ thing! Practice patience… Especially when approaching something new and different. Just like you, your horse needs time to grow in trust and understanding. If you rush the process, you may end up with a horse that feels stressed or disconnected from you.

    Take the time to enjoy the journey. Be present for each ride, groundwork session, and interaction with your horse. And extend your patience to yourself as well. You and your horse are learning and growing together.

    Building a Connection with Your Horse

    For many riders, building a strong connection with your horse is the most fulfilling aspect of being an equestrian. If you have not invested time and focus into doing this, I strongly suggest that you begin today.  I will link to other groundwork posts below this article. And you can also check out the Connection Partnership Program to help you with this.

    You and your horse will only train to the level that you trust each other. Begin taking time today to build and grow your connection with your horse in a meaningful way and experience the changes in your well-being, and in your riding and training.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Other Episodes on This Topic

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  • Communicate with Your Horse through Groundwork – Part 1 Touch

    Communicate with Your Horse through Groundwork – Part 1 Touch

    Communicate with your horse through touch - Groundwork part 1

    How much time do you spend strengthening your relationship with your horse while on the ground?  Many riders only think in terms of ‘riding’ when they think of communicating with their horse.  However there are many other ways you can begin to not only create a stronger sense of trust but also to improve your horse’s overall training.

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    Groundwork is really exactly what it sounds like.  It is working with your horse while being on the ground, rather than in the saddle.  Unfortunately many riders see this work as being a means to an end while starting or backing young horses.  This is completely untrue.

    In fact, groundwork is something that can help develop your overall conversation with your horse, regardless of where you are in your training or development.

    Groundwork can be beneficial at any point in your horse’s life.  From a young, unstarted and nervous 2-year-old, to an older 20 plus senior

    How ‘Good’ Groundwork Can Help You & Your Horse

    The benefits of working with your horse on the ground are far-reaching for both horse and rider.  It helps to build trust and to establish certain ‘personal space’.  This helps to build respect for you as your horse’s leader.

    Working with your horse from the ground allows you to get to know what is ‘normal’ for your horse, both emotionally and physically.  Groundwork will also help to begin desensitising your horse.

    Groundwork allows you to being instilling basic training principles that can be transferred across to training while in the saddle later

    From a health perspective, different types of groundwork can help promote circulation, loosen or relax stiff or tense muscles.  It also allows your horse to become familiar with you touching more sensitive areas of his body without fear or apprehension.

    Using Groundwork To Compliment Your Riding

    I really feel that we are constantly communicating with our horses, not just when our bums touch down in the saddle.  Groundwork is a great way of keeping the conversation, and often training, moving forward when riding is not possible.

    This can be for any number of reasons; time constraints, injury, weather or just to add something different to your horse’s training plan or schedule.

    Groundwork can be used to either explain principles that you will or are using in the saddle. Correct groundwork will also strengthen your aids and overall communication when you are riding.

    In fact, I am a huge believer of using the necessary ‘groundwork’ that happens before rides to help relax and set the tone of the overall conversation for the ride.

    Using ‘Touch’ to Work with Your Horse

    In this particular blog post I want to focus on groundwork relating to touch.  More specifically, how you can begin incorporating massage, stroking and basic touch techniques into your training with your horse that will be enjoyable and educational for both of you.

    So, before we go any further, it is important to note that in order to work with your horse, you will need to be in a safe and suitable environment.  Very often when your horse is being massaged, he might become so relaxed that any sudden or different movements or noise can cause an unexpected reaction from him.  This could potentially lead to accidents.  It is also important to wear your helmet at all times when working near or around your horse.  Once you have chosen a suitable location you can then begin working with your horse.

    It may sound a little strange, but the attitude and energy you approach your horse with can play a big part in how your horse reacts to you and your touch.  Keep your mind calm.  Free of stress and, just like when you ride, try to remain focused on the task at hand throughout the groundwork session.

    Being relaxed and feeling confident and present is vitally important to the success of your work, whether it be on the ground or in the saddle, with your horse

    Respecting Boundaries and Personal Space

    Do you, like many riders, only think of boundaries and respect from your own point of view? We need to also give our horses the option of saying ‘no’ if they feel uncomfortable.

    Obviously the types of touches or work you can do with your horse will depend on the relationship you have with your horse.  Nervous or anxious horses should be approached in a sensitive manner and only touched where they allow you to.

    The aim is to build trust, so forcing any particular connection or touching of a certain area will only serve to damage that fragile relationship, not strengthen it.

    Your horse will let you know what he is happy with.  Look for signals from him such as yawning or licking and chewing.  This generally occurs when your horse is feeling relaxed and enjoying the proceedings.  Pinning their ears, lots of anxious, tense movements or lifting the head or tail higher will rather tell you to leave well enough alone.

    Staying Inside of the ‘Comfort Zone’

    At any point if your horse becomes uncomfortable with what you are doing, go back to a place where they are happy and rather work there for a while.  It may take a few sessions before you have built up enough trust to move on from there.   Also keep in mind that, just like us, there may be days that your horse just does not want to be massaged or touched!

    There are many different ways you can use your hands that will promote a different feeling in your horse’s body.  Again, the key is finding what your horse is comfortable with initially and then working on from there.  

    I suggest beginning with just stroking the neck, shoulder and back area where the saddle would sit. Use your whole palms and fingers and rub in the direction the hair lies naturally

    One of the easiest ways to promote a bond is to always have one hand on your horse.  You can do this by making sure the hand finishing the one stroke remains on your horse until your other hand begins the next stroke.

    Pay Attention to the Pressure You’re Applying

    Think about the pressure you are applying as well.  Start each stroke with a soft pressure and build to where you want.  Then finishing the stroke with a similar pressure to where you began.

    Very often the amount of pressure will depend on your horse and the area you are working on, but most often horses enjoy  something around what you would apply when using a rubber curry comb or similar.

    Too soft and it may tickle or annoy your horse, too hard and your horse may find it uncomfortable or even a little sore.

    Experiment with What Works for Your Horse

    Once you have worked over the neck, shoulder and back area like this, you can begin experimenting with using your hands in different ways.   One such way is using your hand to move the skin in small circles on a particular area.  Simply lay your hand on your horse’s coat and, applying a little more pressure with the sides of your palm and fingers, begin moving your hand in a small slow circle.  Your hand will not move from the area, rather just move the skin around over the muscle underneath in that specific area.

    Again, while you are doing this with your one hand, keep your other hand on your horse to help promote that feeling of connection between you

    Finally, you can also begin to loosen out the neck and crest area by gently squeezing there with your hands.  Just like it feels good for you to have your hair slightly and gently tugged or squeezed, it also is an enjoyable feeling for your horse.  Start at the withers and work up towards the poll.  Only go as far as your horse is comfortable with and then begin working your way back towards the withers again.

    Keep in mind that even though your horse might not enjoy you working near his ears or head initially, consistent calm work like this will encourage him to trust you.  This will eventually lead to him allowing you to work around his head and ears in a safe manner

    Touch Is Just One Element of Groundwork

    Groundwork is a big topic.  There are so many different ways you can begin using this both in the stable and the arena. In the next blog post, which you can find HERE, I discuss the concept of pressure and release.  This is a foundational principle to you successfully working with your horse on the ground, and in the saddle.

    Taking the time to truly connect and work with your horse through groundwork will add a whole new dimension to both your training and your relationship with each other.  I suggest starting today with your horse and see where it leads you both.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Save Your Seat for the Upcoming Live Online Training HERE

    CLICK HERE to save your seat for the upcoming free live training on groundwork

    If you are interested in learning more about incorporating touch into your groundwork training with your horse, we have created a full series of audio trainings, inside of Daily Strides Premium, that you can listen to which will help you begin building a routine with your horse.

    There is also a full workbook to go along with the audio trainings.  This includes the different types of movements you can use when working with your horse. Visit https://stridesforsuccess.com/join/ for all the details.