Strides for Success

Tag: rhythm

Smoothing Out the Ups and Downs in Your Riding
What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-
- Begin noticing where the ups and downs are happening
- Take responsibility, rather than looking for a quick fix
- Learn to Balance Your Aids Correctly
- Using a Split Second to Smooth Out Your Riding
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Do things feel a little ‘touch and go’ when it comes to your riding? You touch on how you want it to feel, but that feeling is all too brief. It’s there for a few strides and then it is gone again. Would you like to maintain that feeling for longer? Smooth out your riding?

This episode is focused on learning how to influence your horse more to create a more balanced, smoother ride for both of you. A more polished finished to your riding.

Horse Riding is Never ‘Done’

I want to begin by warning you of a trap that so many riders make the mistake of falling into. They finally ‘get’ something in their riding; and they then think that their work regarding that topic is done.

Horse riding, by its very nature, is never ‘done’. It is ever evolving. There are challenges at every level that will lead to us having to re-navigate past topics from your new perspective or where you are now.

Very often the key to overcoming new challenges in horse riding is going back to the basics – and applying those to the new challenge.

Begin by Noticing Where the Ups and Downs are Happening

You can do this by paying close attention to your rhythm and tempo. Notice where they are lacking. Can you maintain both consistently through a movement? Can you maintain them through a transition? At what point are they changing? Is this every time, or only in a certain place or on a certain rein etc.

A second way you can become more mindful about the basic quality of your rhythm and relaxation is by ‘testing’ your riding on a straight line. When you are riding a longer straight line, perhaps on the road or trail, how well can you maintain? Do things tend to become faster, or slower. Is there more or less tension the further you travel. Or, is there a greater sense of ease?

You can also pay attention to your aids and you in general in the saddle. What influence are you having with your riding? Is it positive or negative.

Remember, you are always influencing your horse, regardless of if you are intentional about it or not. Therefore, it makes good sense to become mindful on what you are doing – and making that influence a positive one.

Taking Responsibility, Rather than Searching for the Quick Fix

When you do begin to notice where things are not being well maintained, the second trap a lot of riders fall into is thinking that there is a ‘quick fix’.  A different bit, or a new noseband. A change of martingale, or feeding plan…

Keep in mind that often the easiest thing to ‘fix’ is the most obvious. You, the rider!

Showing up and claiming ownership of your riding, faults and all, is an important part of becoming a responsible rider. It is also the one thing that you truly have control over when communicating with your horse.

Looking in and taking ownership of the fact that you are consistently either positively or negatively influencing your horse will go a long way to smoothing things out.  Keep in mind that your thoughts are also influencing your horse, so be mindful.

Yes, sometimes you may have to change the bit, or martingale, the fact of the matter is that you are the single greatest influence. So my advice to you is to check in with yourself first!

Learning to Balance Your Aids in Your Riding

Each of your individual aids, the ways that you communicate with your horse, are part of the bigger picture of an overall conversation. No aid should be used alone, and as a whole, the proportions are always changing as well.

Balance, by definition, is ever shifting. The balance of your aids in your riding is an ever-changing way of maintaining the conversation with your horse.

What worked for one transition may have to be refined and ‘tweaked’ a little for the next. What goes into each transition with you and your horse is different and what comes out of each transition is different. Your aids need to be applied with this in mind.

Think of it as being a large pie or pizza. The ‘My Ways of Communicating with My Horse’ Pie. Each aid has a slice. These slices are continuously changing in size and proportion depending on the circumstances of each movement or transition. If every thing you do on your horse was shown on one of these pies, you will see that very rarely are any two pies the exact same.

Your responsibility as the rider is to tailor each communication with your horse so as your aids are balanced for what he needs at that exact moment. This will happen all through the ride.

Using a ‘Split Second’ to Smooth Our Your Riding

As a rider, I am sure that you are familiar with how important your half halt is. It is the rebalancing of both you and your horse, throughout your ride. But, another place we can have a huge influence over the smoothness of the overall ride is within the transition itself.

You are riding transitions the whole time in your riding. A transition is simply a change. Straight to bend, long to short, trot to walk… Everywhere.

So, it makes sense to work on smoothing out the transitions themselves in order to even out the whole ride, doesn’t it?

Inside of every single transition, there is a split second where you have the power to begin smoothing things out.

Every change needs a catalyst to make it happen. In riding, this can often be described as pressure or tension. Your job through the transition is to find that ‘split second’ where you can smooth out what was needed, the catalyst, in order to make the whole transition appear relaxed.

Start thinking about and looking for that door of opportunity within each transition as you go forward. If you want to find out more, you can join me on the 2nd of June 2018 in my upcoming workshop on Relaxation in Your Riding.

Happy Riding

Lorna

Links mentioned in the episode:-
May 22, 2018
Confidently Getting Started Over Jumps
What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-
- Why the basics still apply
- Why balance is essential; for both you and your horse
- Think of helping your horse, rather than hindering
- How to begin perfecting over small jumps first
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Does the thought of jumping with your horse fill you with excitement? Is that excitement mixed with a dash of fear? Like most riders, you probably have thought about jumps and jumping. And yet thoughts of the ‘up and over’ tends to keep you, and them, away from it.

This episode is all about jumps and, more specifically, getting you started over jumps in your riding.

Working over jumps can be beneficial for both you, the rider, and horse. It helps to keep things fresh and interesting. It works both the brain and the body in a slightly different way. But there can be the limiting perception of a ‘barrier to entry’ for many riders. A very high barrier that perhaps you feel that you cannot get over in order to make it happen.

I’m here today to tell you that you can not only get over the barrier, but enjoy yourself along the way as well.

Jumping is really and truly just like riding a very big canter stride. I am basing todays training on the prerequisite that you have a fair working knowledge of the canter; how it works, what’s happening, what you should be doing and what your horse should be doing.

From canter, beginning to jump is simply placing a pole underneath that canter stride. I know this sounds like a very simplified description, but bear with me here. My goal is to lower your anxiety towards jumps and jumping by at least a couple of notches!

The Basics Apply Still – Especially Rhythm & Relaxation

Successful jumping is built on the basics of good flatwork, with principles such as relaxation and rhythm being extremely important when it comes to jumping. One of the most obvious ways riders start off on the wrong track when it comes to working over jumps is the tendency to confuse speed with impulsion. Bounding towards a jump at great speed becomes scary for all involved; the rider, the horse and even the spectators. It is definitely not how it should be done.

Jumping is all about relaxation and rhythm, and that is why you should try to eliminate any anxiety as it shows up.

Balance is Essential; Both You and Your Horse

Start by cantering over a single pole. Focus on your on balance as you do this. Balance between and over the jumps is essential for both you and your horse. Where many riders tend to fall short in the balance department, is that they depend on the horse to balance them.

A good basic jumping position will help you to remain balanced using your own body. You can practice this on the flat, before trying it out over a pole or, later, a fence.

It is important that you keep the weight into your heels, keep your leg underneath you, and you use your bum to basically balance the upper half of your body – a little like a weighing scale effect. Lastly, your horse must be given enough freedom through his head and neck, for him to stretch out and make it over the canter pole, or whatever you are doing.

Allowing does not mean that you throw everything at him and with a ‘best of luck’ attitude. Remember, think about balance here. Your horse also needs to remain in balance. It is no good you being balanced, if your horse is not. Your job as rider is to help your horse remain balanced as well. You can practice all of this while cantering over a single pole on the ground.

Think of Helping Your Horse, Rather than Hindering

This is a largely misunderstood principle in jumping. Many riders, when they start jumping, think only of themselves. They launch themselves forward towards the horse’s head, without a single consideration for how this will feel for their horse.

If you have ever jumped anything yourself (on your two legs) with a backpack on your back, you are going to understand what I mean here. Imagine yourself with your backpack on your back and some things inside. This particular backpack is loose and is moving around – meaning it’s not very secure. Jumping anything in this set of circumstances is hard work!

However, let’s now change that backpack for a more professional type of backpack that hikers would use One that is stabilised at the front as well as the back, where it fits correctly, and is shaped to suit the body of the person wearing it. Everything is snugly packed inside and is not moving around, it is balanced and secure. It now becomes a whole lot easier to jump something, with that on your back. That is how you need to become for your horse.

You need to become balanced and secure over the fence, rather than loose and floppy. I know, simple words – but sometimes simple is easiest to understand!

Your horse needs to lift his front legs to get over the fence. If you launch yourself in the general direction of the horse’s head, you are make it very difficult for your horse to truly lift and use himself correctly.

Resisting the Temptation to Throw Yourself Forward!

Throwing yourself at your horse’s head means you are no longer balancing yourself, simply because your legs are no longer underneath you! Your legs will be left behind in the saddle with the rest of your body on the horse’s neck. Your weight is now being added to his own body weight that he has to lift in order to clear the fence.

I think this happens because a lot of riders want to model their position on top show jumpers. However there is one big difference between a lot of riders and the top showjumpers – the height of the jumps!

You don’t really have to do a whole lot at all going over a small pole, the bigger factor here is that you are remaining balanced. Balanced will help your horse, launching yourself will hinder.

Make Perfect Over Small Jumps First

Finally, I am strongly suggesting that you perfect things over the little jumps, even the pole on the ground, before you start building up. If you can get it right over the smaller ones, you are inevitably going to get it right over the bigger ones.

This way you will also get to build your confidence. In building your confidence, you build the relaxation. When you build the relaxation, you will also find that the rhythm becomes more natural as well.

The result will be an approach that feels good, a correct take off and you and your horse feeling balanced and ‘a team’ as you are going over the fence. Everything is in balance, relaxed and rhythmic. From there you are perfectly poised to either go on to your next fence, or whatever you want to do.

The Benefits of Starting Working Over Jumps

Unfortunately a lot of riders may feel that working over jumps is not for them. However, if shown the value of including this in their schooling, a lot reconsider. Values such as engaging a different sets of muscles within the horse and the rider. Being prepared on the trail or a hack to pop over something you meet.

Jumping also gives you a greater sense of this balance and this communication. It is a real feeling of teamwork between the horse and the rider, that they must work together to get over this obstacle that is in the way.

I suppose the important thing to remember is to take it slow and steady. Work over smaller jumps initially before building to bigger, higher and more complex. This way, you and your horse can successfully work out jumping, and get it working for both of you.

Happy riding

Lorna

Links mentioned in the episode:
April 2, 2018
Using the Humble Figure of Eight in Your Schooling
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What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-
- How accuracy is key to riding a successful figure of eight
- The importance of rhythm all the way through
- The power of ‘straightness’ through the change
- Identifying where your challenges lie
The figure of eight can be a fantastic aid in your schooling of both yourself and your horse, if it is ridden correctly and given the focus and effort it deserves.

The humble figure of eight is one of those things that we learn very early in our introduction to horse riding. It can sometimes seem that it is too easy to really bother with, but the figure of eight is something you can use regardless of the level you are at in your riding.

It is an exercise that has lots of different benefits, depending on what level you and your horse are at in your training. For example, each of the different levels of the traditional training scale can we worked on when riding the figure of eight.

What is the Figure of Eight?

Simply put, the figure of eight is two circles, side by side so they look like the number eight. What trips many riders up is the fact that while it sounds simple, riding a single accurate circle is anything but simple and has a lot of potential for things to go a little off track.

When we put two circles together, this can lead to further challenges if not approached carefully and with a plan of how you are going to ride the movement. This is one of the reasons why the figure of eight can be so beneficial for your riding, by developing not only physically (you and your horse), but also mentally as well. You must be able to concentrate for the amount of time it takes to get you through the full figure.

Why Accuracy is Key to a Good Figure of Eight

Your circles must be well planned out. I am going to suggest that if you are not fantastic at riding a line to rather put markers out which will help keep you on track. Put more markers than what you would think you need out there. You are going to be thinking about so many other things when you are riding the figure of eight that probably the shape is going to be the part that ‘gives’. And you don’t want that.

In order for the figure of eight to be beneficial to your schooling, a correct bend must be maintained throughout the exercise. Your markers will help you to achieve this.

The second point to consider when speaking about accuracy with the figure of eight is the middle point where the two circles join. You must be very specific on where exactly that point is. I would suggest maybe putting two poles out that you have to go through each time to avoid the centre from moving!

Knowing its exact location is essential for a good approach and an equally as good departure from it and onto the ‘new’ circle.

Relaxation and Rhythm while riding a Figure of Eight

Both relaxation and rhythm are key while riding the movement, whatever gait you are in. Whether you are in walk, trot or canter you want to make sure that you have those basics in place.

The basic that is you are relaxed and your horse is relaxed, particularly when it comes to that all important middle point.

As well as the relaxation, you also want to notice that you are working to maintaining the rhythm. A lot of riders will find that when they are on the circle the rhythm is great, but as soon as they begin approaching that middle point. This is because you are preparing a lot of things to happen in order to successful change rein at this point, and it is easy to lose the rhythm (or / and relaxation) because of this.

Riding the Figure of Eight

When you are riding a circle on the left rein (circling to the left), you are riding in a particular way. Your outside leg is going to be slightly behind or back from where your inside leg is; they are definitely not equal on your horse’s sides.

The same applies to our seat bones and also our shoulders – our shoulders are going to be mirroring our horse’s shoulders, and they are not going to be ‘equal’.

However, when you are approaching the middle point of your figure of eight, all this needs to change. Your inside will become your outside and your outside will become your inside. A lot has to happen in a small space of time, so I suggest simplifying things by riding a couple of strides of straightness each time at the middle point.

Giving yourself between three and five strides where you are straightening things out will allow you to be more accurate and also help to maintain the rhythm and relaxation through the change as well.

Potential Areas for Things to Go Wrong

There are two key areas where things have a lot of potential to go off track when it comes to riding a figure of eight. The first is where the one circle ends, as you are approaching the ‘X’ or middle point (the point where the two circles intersect). That final quarter of the circle what can sometimes lose its shape due to your horse beginning to fall in.

To prevent this from happening, you must ride every stride. Even though you are thinking ahead and you are planning for those couple of strides of straightness, you are not ignoring that final quarter of that circle in order to get there.

The circle has to continue and you have to maintain the bend and stay on track in order to make that happen.

The second area where things can potentially go off track is when you have passed the intersection point (the middle ‘X’ point) and have started on your second circle. It is easy to ride off track by going too far out or a little bit too short. Basically, our horse either falls out, or falls in.

There can be a few reasons for this, but it is usually due to the rider not being very clear about where they want to go. The lack of clarity in the riders plan leads to a lack of clarity in the aids and the communication in general.

Keeping on Track

Again, the biggest reason most riders ride mediocre figure of eights is because they underestimate all that is involved in riding a successful one.

Focus on sitting tall in the saddle, having a good plan about where you are going to ride and how and then making it happen. Use markers to plan out that track that you want to ride on, and then as you get better at it you can take the markers away and start to use your own eye – your line – to ride it.

Begin in walk, building up to trot and later canter. In canter, you can transition through that ‘X’ back down to trot, or you can ride a flying change.

The beauty of the figure of eight is how versatile it is depending on your level of riding.

Riding a good quality figure of eight will lead to increased suppleness, which is the next step of that all-important Training Scale for both you and your horse. But in order to work on suppleness, the foundational pieces of the rhythm and the relaxation must be in place. Let them be your focus the next time you ride a figure of eight in the arena.

Happy Riding

Lorna

Links mentioned in the episode:-
- https://stridesforsuccess.com/christmas/
- https://stridesforsuccess.com/seat/
Other content that will compliment this episode:-
November 27, 2017
The Training Scale for You & Your Horse

It is always nice to have a plan or a map to follow when learning something new. The training scale is that map for many riders when they begin schooling their horse. However, the training scale can be equally as valuable for you, the rider. It is a road map to help keep you on track with your riding.

So before we begin, let’s be clear about what the training scale actually is. The training scale is sequence of different aspects of training which, when worked through, has been found to develop horses correctly for being ridden.

While each step is an individual aspect of training, none of them will be worked on individually. There is a relationship between all of the steps – and that association must be maintained throughout the horses training.

For the sake this blog post, we are going to call each of these aspects ‘steps’. Another way to look at them is as blocks. One must be laid down in order for the next to be placed on top.

They take a horse from the very foundational ‘basics’ of rhythm and relaxation and, when used correctly and thoughtfully, build up to the ‘pinnacle’, which is collection.

Many riders think of the training scale as being a ‘check list’ of sorts. They feel that once they have reached step 1, they should only focus on mastering step 2 and so on. When you consider the training scale, it is worth noting that no one step can be correctly achieved when another step has been ignored or cast aside in order to do so.

The training scale should rather be approached with a more holistic mindset. Yes, the bottom steps need to be in place in order to successfully build on the next step – but while mastering the bottom steps, a keen eye should be kept on all the steps. This same principle applies when working on the top steps, the bottom steps need to be the basis of that work.

No one step of the training scale can be taken and worked on independently and in a vacuum

So taking this all into account, let’s have a quick overview of those steps and how they look for both horse and rider moving forward.

The Foundation – Relaxation

Relaxation is often included with or instead of the first two steps of the training scale. However, I believe that relaxation starts before a saddle is ever even place on the horse. The term relaxation is a confusing one for many riders; mostly due to our pre-programmed ideas of relaxation including a swimming pool, a lounger and a beverage!

True relaxation is when horses and their riders lack excess tension, physically and mentally

Some tension is needed in order for the horse to carry himself. This is also true of the rider, a certain amount of tension is necessary. It is the excess tension, caused by anxiety, stiffness, fear, nervousness, excitement and a whole list of other basic feelings, that causes the lack of true relaxation in the horse.

The amount of relaxation required will depend on both horse and riders level of training. Relaxation is relative, however it is also essential to correct riding – in both horse and rider.

Step 1 – Rhythm

Rhythm can be defined as a “strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound”. The key words in that description are regular, repeated pattern. Each horse has their own natural rhythm. This is equally true of riders.

Rhythm, like relaxation, starts on the ground. The rhythm of the routine you have created for your horse. What works, what doesn’t. Learning to know your horses natural rhythm begins here

In the saddle, the repeated pattern is the footfalls or hoofbeats. The rhythm should not change. It can be repeated more or less in a given time – and this the tempo that is being changed – but the rhythm itself should remain the same.

As a rider, you must learn to first follow the rhythm. Many riders try to force a rhythm on their horse, however forcing the rhythm will actually break your horses natural rhythm.

Rhythm must initially be worked with, not worked on

A loss of rhythm will immediately direct your attention to a loss of balance. It is learning to pin point that very first beat out of your horses natural rhythm that will determine your success as a rider. Once the break in rhythm is identified, you can work at re-establishing it again.

Rhythm & relaxation must be present in all other steps of the trainings scale in order for them to be correct and true

Step 2 – Suppleness

Suppleness, rhythm and relaxation are often shuffled around on the first two steps, depending on what training scale you are working from. However, rather than allowing this to confuse you, think of all three as being equally as essential in order to begin building things further. Visually, it would look like a triangle, all parts being necessary to maintain each other.

Suppleness is the elasticity or ‘loosey gooseyness’ that your horse needs in order to use himself to the best of his abilities. It is the ease at which he can perform the work required of him

Many riders think suppleness is address solely in the warm up phase of riding and schooling, however your horse must have suppleness throughout all his movements when being ridden.

Stiffness will stop the energy flowing through your horse; and in order to truly connect your horses back-end and front ends together, that energy must be allowed to flow as easily as possible

From the riders perspective, a lack of suppleness will negatively impact the horses way of going. Riders often make the mistake of focusing only on their horses suppleness. They then become frustrated as their progress seems to stall. The rider must try to consistently improve their own suppleness if they wish to be effective in the saddle. Remember, the training scale is equally as important for the rider as it is for the horse.

Due to its direct impact on the flow of the energy through your horse, suppleness, along with relaxation and rhythm, must be present before your horse can begin working on step 3 of the training scale.

Step 3 – Contact & Connection

Once both you and your horse can perform work to a certain level while effectively maintaining relaxation, rhythm and suppleness, you can begin working on improving your contact and connection.

I like to think of the contact as being a conversation with your horse. A good conversation has a certain give and take, and ebb and flow, to it – and it is important to consider this when it comes to your contact

Many riders think of contact as being the thing that creates the ‘head carriage’ in their horses ‘frame’. Unfortunately if you approach contact or connection in this way, you will actually set your training – and your riding – backwards.

Contact must first of all be established and then maintained as the horse is being ridden. It requires soft hands, soft elbows and also good posture and position in the saddle. A fixed contact will lead to the disappearance of the relaxation and suppleness in both you and your horse.

Contact and connection are like the ‘banks’ of the river that is your horses flow of energy. They are how you can begin to direct, influence and channel that energy as your horse is working

For this reason, it is important to consider your overall position, seat and leg aids as being a part of the contact. If you seat is heavy or if you are pushing, or shoving with your seat, that energy cannot flow, which will then prevent you from having that elastic contact you need in order to correctly work your horse.

Steps 4, 5 and 6 – Impulsion, Straightness & Collection

As your horse works through the first three steps of the training scale, rhythm, suppleness and contact, it is important to keep the next steps in mind.

For example, there is a certain amount of energy needed to come from behind, impulsion, in order to truly maintain a working contact. There is also a certain amount of straightness needed when working on truly suppling your horse.

I will go into more detail on the other three steps of the training scale next week. However, I strong suggest working on your relaxation and rhythm with the end in mind.

It is also worth noting that, as I mentioned at the beginning, the training scale is not a checklist. You cannot forget about rhythm as soon as you begin working on suppleness, or even collection. Each of the steps need the previous steps to be in place and operating correctly in order for that step to be mastered. Collection cannot happen without rhythm being present.

And all of the steps have the potential to test the abilities of both you and your horse, even at the most basic levels of your training. Investing the time and effort in learning to master the basics will see both you and your horse progress correctly later.

If you download the free poster of the training scale, I will send you some information on each of the ‘steps’ in more detail. It is 100% free and you can sign up HERE to access it.

Happy riding
Lorna

May 23, 2017
Canter to Improve the Trot

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Have you noticed how, very often, there are only two ‘gears’ when trotting; a good, forward trot or a bland, shuffle trot? However, changing from the latter to the former can often be one of the more difficult aspects of trotting. If so, have you ever considered using the canter to improve the trot?

Sounds too good to be true, but very often a good, forward canter can be the simple catalyst from that mediocre flat shuffle, to that wonderful springy and engaged trot.

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However, like everything worth doing in life, the canter must be of good quality, and the transitions both into and out of the canter from the trot will often dictate just how effective this technique will be to your horse’s schooling.

What Makes a Good Trot?

So, before we go any further, let’s chat quickly about what exactly makes a good trot. The trot itself is usually quite easy to establish a rhythm, the 1.. 2.. 1.. 2.. almost setting itself up each stride. The trouble for many riders is then regulating the tempo of that rhythm.

If the rhythm is the 1.. 2.. 1.. 2.. the tempo is how often that 1.. 2.. rhythm occurs in any set period of time or distance.

For example, take the long side of a 60m arena. By adjusting the tempo of the trot rhythm, you can either have a lot of ‘quick’ 12121212s occurring, or you can have fewer 1…… 2…… 1…… 2……. happening in the same distance.

So when many riders begin trotting, establishing the rhythm and tempo is often not a problem. But as soon as they begin to make adjustments to the trot, one (usually the tempo) or both can very quickly become erratic. Those adjustments can be half halts, shortening the stride, lengthening the stride, or asking for a transition either up or down to a different gait, or within the gait itself.

In fact, even just beginning to activate the hind quarters and connect the horse a little more very often results in a loss of rhythm and tempo. This is where we see many horses either begin to run in the trot, or become heavy and lean on the rider’s hand.

Canter to Improve the Trot

Riding the canter to improve the trot will help riders to firstly become more quiet in the saddle. It also improves the riders skills in noticing if the gait itself is a quality one to begin with

Because of the transitions between trot and canter, riders may want to rather ride in a sitting trot when riding the trot. However, I strongly suggest just using the sitting trot for the actual transition. Post or rise to the trot when working in the trot. The reason I say this is because, in order to improve the quality of the trot, the horse must first engage his hindquarters.

For this to happen, the energy being created there must be allowed to connect through, underneath the rider and saddle, from the back to the front

Using Your Energy Wisely

However, it has been my experience that when working between trot and canter for any length of time, riders tire quickly. This causes them to begin ’slouching’ through their upper body and this, in turn, results in them ‘shutting down’ that flow of energy necessary for the horse to truly work in a quality trot.

So, for the duration of this exercise, I suggest working in rising or posting to the trot where you can, to give both yourself and your horses back a little break!

Start with ‘Forward’

Start by asking your horse to work in what you would consider a forward-going ‘working trot’. Focus on the rhythm and then the tempo, particularly as you work through corners or change rein. Can your horse remain to maintain consistency in both? Many riders wonder if the trot is indeed a ‘working trot’.

The next part of the exercise will quickly tell you either way if your trot is working, or shuffling!

Using Half Halts to Prepare

Begin to prepare your horse for canter. Use your half halts, but all the while paying close attention to the aforementioned rhythm and tempo. I also think noticing how straight your horse remains through the transition is important. Do his hindquarters swing or drift? Does he ‘curl’ around your inside leg? Or perhaps he is bracing against your inside leg…? If you notice any of the above, take this as your cue to begin working through these more basic evasions, before you allow your horse to canter.

You may find maintaining the rhythm and, in particular, tempo as your horse transitions into canter from the trot rather difficult. This is what your focus should be on throughout the schooling session.

Think of ‘you ask – he responds’

Working Forward in the Canter

Once in the canter, firstly make sure the canter is moving forward and actually taking you somewhere. One of the reasons we can use the canter to improve the trot is because the canter often has naturally more energetic and rolling energy with it. Having to push and kick at every stride is not forward. But it is important to note that allowing your horse to run like a wild thing around the arena is also not a forward canter.

The canter can be classed as ‘forward’ if the energy is taking you somewhere and that somewhere is dictated by you. You can influence where it goes and how much is allowed ‘out’ at any give time in the gait

The Canter to Trot Transition

Once you have indeed established a forward canter, you can begin thinking about transitioning back into the trot. Again, maintaining the rhythm and tempo is vitally important. What is also important is the fact that you ‘allow’ your horse to trot.

There is a split second, that you will feel, when your horse actually takes that step that transitions him from the canter into the trot. In order to do this he must ‘land’ into the trot. And you must ‘allow’ or ‘soften’ through your hand so he can indeed move forward into the trot

This is also where I suggest posting or rising from the first step. This way, when you have ‘allowed’ him to continue to move forward, that energy in his hind quarters can indeed connect with the front end. It will feel like he is ‘swinging’ underneath you.

Feeling the Difference to the Trot

Many riders find that the first time they really ride a good trot with their horse, the bounce is a little too much for them. Again, rising or posting will help you initially. Then, later, as you become more supple and allowing through your body, you can start moving with your horse and this new energy in sitting trot.

You can use the canter to improve the trot both in the saddle and on the ground. The same principles can be applied when lunging your horse with the added bonus of actually being able to see the results, rather than feel them

Keep in mind that in order for your horse to improve and develop himself, it is your responsibility to establish and maintain that straightness, rhythm, and tempo. Work towards being able to move up and down, through your horse’s gears, without losing any of the above.

It is also vital that your horse continues to ‘move forward’ at all times; taking you somewhere.

Happy Riding
Lorna

Improve Your Canter Program

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Connection; The Online Resource for Riders

This podcast is the first in a series of five on this specific topic which were created for Daily Strides Premium, now know as Connection. Every month you will get audio horse riding lessons to listen to as you work your horse. Connection is created to help riders working alone, without a trainer or coach, to continue to both improve their riding AND train their horse.

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All of the details are available at https://stridesforsuccess.com/join. The membership is risk free, with no contracts. You can cancel any time. I would love to have you on a lesson soon :)

July 12, 2016
Exercises to Improve Your Horses Coordination

Have you ever experienced moments when ‘lack of coordination’ seems to be the best description for you while in riding your horse? It often leads to feelings of clumsiness and a general lack of confidence in your abilities, right? Well, imagine how it feels when your horse suffers a similar lack of coordination; lack of balance leading to an uncomfortable ride for both of you.

This lack of coordination in horses is often associated with fitness and general conditioning, and this is partly true. Your horse’s general fitness levels, or lack thereof, can play a large part in his overall ability to remain in a balanced way of going. However, there are other factors that also play a large part in how well your horse can use his body, particularly when in a different or unfamiliar situation.

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Take your own coordination as an example; if you were to do a task that you do regularly, such as making a cup of tea or coffee in your own kitchen, you would find that your actions happen as though your body is on autopilot. However, if I asked you over to my house to make some tea; you would find it much more difficult to do pretty simple tasks.

The same principles apply to your horse, if it is something he does a day in and day out, his body has already figured out the best and most effective way for it to do that particular movement or task. It is smooth and probably looks graceful and simple because it is done in balance in a way he feels comfortable. However, just like your own tea making capabilities, when you begin to add different factors to your horse’s schooling, or change scenarios, things can become rather wobbly quite quickly!

You have to agree that most young horses look wonderfully coordinated while in the field however, as soon as a rider is placed on their back it suddenly seems becomes a rather large effort to continue with one foot in front of the other without falling over! This is the horse having to learn or adapt to a different situation – this particular one being having a rider on board

We also see older horses struggling with coordination. Particularly when they are ridden all the time in a beautifully manicured and maintained arena. They are used to having perfect footing underneath. But if you take them out of the arena, maybe on the trail or into an appropriate paddock or field; well things are very different. The rhythm and balance are suddenly lost and it almost feels like the horse has forgotten all his past training. Sure, you will have moments where it feels good, but for the most part, it is a disjointed effort that pales in comparison to when he is working in his comfort zone.

When we are in the saddle, it is always a great advantage when your horse can adapt immediately to different situations you may find yourself in, quickly and without a break in balance or rhythm

So the first step in improving your horse’s coordination is highlighting the quality of your transitions. This is something you can begin working on immediately when riding your horse the next time. Focus on the balance and consistent rhythm of each individual transition. Pay attention that your horse is not speeding up the tempo of the gait he is in before the transition. Also, work on establishing the new gait as quickly as possible after the transition. By becoming more concise and specific about how you prepare, and then ride each individual transition, you can begin conditioning your horse to balance himself better and adapt to different situations with greater ease.

Don’t make the mistake of only working in the more exciting transitions, such as trot to canter and canter to trot. Transitions that include halt, walk, and trot are equally as beneficial and often easier for the rider to be more consistent through. Again, focus on the quality of the gait leading up to the transition, maintain that gait right the way until the transition occurs. The transition itself should be coordinated, straight and smooth, and then followed by a good quality gait afterward as well.

The second thing you can do is working some lateral movement into his schooling routines. Think of the transitions as really working him while moving in a straight line, tail to head. The lateral movement then works him sideways, so working his body differently and forcing him to balance differently. Very often horses that can adapt and who have good coordination are able to remain in balance while moving sideways. Practicing this in the arena will begin to develop your horse’s ability to do this as well, with you on his back.

One of the other ways to improve your horse’s coordination is to work him over ground poles. He must become very aware of how he is moving his body and where he is placing his hooves. Groundpoles also helps coordination by improving the physical strength of your horse’s back. They ask more of his joints, his back, and his whole topline in general. All this while remaining balanced and moving forward in a rhythmic manner is excellent for him.

You can use single groundpoles placed randomly around the arena, with your horse having to ride different shapes to reach. You can also use basic trotting poles, either flat on the ground or raised, and later you can build simple grids.

Regardless of how you use the poles, they will definitely help your horse to become more aware of his feet and legs while being worked in the arena and build muscle and strength while doing so

The final suggestion I have for you to begin improving your horse’s coordination is hill work. I am not talking about steep, grueling inclines that exhaust your horse; rather mild inclines that ask him to use himself slightly differently, but in doing so, strengthen and condition his body. You can work up and down the hills, and later once you are both happily walking and trotting up and down, you can begin asking different questions by introducing transitions into his hill work.

Maintaining the rhythm of the gait while working and down hills is difficult for many horses. It is also different because most hills will be either on the trail or in a paddock or field, making the footing or terrain a little less accommodating as well

So improving your horse’s coordination won’t happen overnight, it will take time. By working some of these exercises into your daily schooling, or warming up and cooling down, you will help your horse reach a greater level of coordination throughout his body, which will make riding more enjoyable for both of you in the long run.

Happy Riding
Lorna

This blog post and podcast episode is an introduction to 5 audio programs on this specific topic, taking you step by step through exercises you can ride that will improve your horse’s coordination. The other programs are created with riding in mind and listening to them is literally like having a riding instructor with you while you school your horse. The lessons are easy to download onto your phone and then use when in the arena.

To find out more about how you can get this week’s lessons, as well as over 600 others, you can visit www.stridesforsuccess.com/join/.

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May 31, 2016